This generic tutorial is comprehensive and shows step-by-step assembly of a typical wooden futon frame. There may be additional pieces in your frame system not shown here, but the pictorial illustration will be helpful. Keep in mind that your arms may look different than the futon arms shown in this tutorial.

Typically, a futon frame, regardless of size, consists of 6 main pieces: 2 arms, 2 long rails or stretcher bars that connect the arms, a seat deck, and a back deck. The hardware consists of eight bolts used to connect the arms to the long rails (there may be different sizes, and if so, typically the 4 longer ones are used to connect the front part of the arm to their rail), barrel nuts which look like bullets used to secure the arm bolts, and 2 bolts and cotter pins to connect the seat deck to the back deck.

The only tool you should ever use to assemble a futon frame is the allen wrench included with your system. Do Not Use power drills, cordless drills, etc. They strip out the bolts and often tighten far too tightly. You will void your warranty if you use any power tools.
Provide a clear area and open your boxes, removing hardware and all the parts. Most likely, hardware is found in the arm box of your system. Begin by attaching the black elbow shaped support brackets, if you have them, to the arms. Many models do not have these brackets, so do not be alarmed if they're not included. If they are not part of your model, most likely the bolts used to connect the arms with the rails are slightly beefier anyway, to compensate. If you have been provided wooden dowels, install those in the larger center hole in the long rails, tapping them in place gently by striking the long rail upright on the floor, softly. These dowels provide even more structural support at the arm/longrail junctions.
Next, position an arm so that you can set the long rail against it, onto the black support bracket if present. Position the barrel nuts (they look like bullets) in the holes on the inside ends of the long rails, and pass the appropriate bolts through the arm into the barrel nuts and loosely secure. The barrel nuts have slits in the ends...keep these horizontal as you pass the bolts through. The slits line up parallel with the bolts. Do this with all eight bolts to both arms and both rails. Take note that in many systems, there is a brass plate on the top of the front rail..these plates will allow the seat deck to rest upon them and reduce wearing and abrasion on the rails.

	Once all eight bolts have been loosely secured and arms are attached, you are ready to install the back deck. At this point, the arms and rails should be very wobbly. Double check and make sure that the sides of the arms with the 2 cut-out channels are on the inside of the assembled frame.

The back deck is one of two larger pieces that has the black nylon dowels which will ride in the two channels that are on the inside of the arms.

Pick up the back deck (below) and begin to gently guide it into place between the arms so that the black nylon dowels fit into the channels, being patient, as this takes a few moments. Do this in such a way that the back deck is parallel with the ground, setting it on the back long rail as you work it into position. Next, tighten all 8 bolts securely. Do not use power tools. Use the allen wrench provided in the kit. They should be snugged tightly, with a moderate amount of torque. Pull up the back deck so it is in an upright position.     You are now ready to install the last piece, the seat deck. Look for two holes on one end, in the center, where you will attach it to the bottom underside of back deck, where the siderails overextend on the bottom. Set the seat deck in between these extensions on the floor, under the back deck. The clevis bolt is a heavy looking bolt with a head on it, and a hole through one end in the center of the shaft. Pass this bolt through the outer siderail of the back deck, lining it up as you go, jiggling the seat deck to find the hole. Pass it through the seat deck. Install the washer over the clevis bolt. Pass the clothespin looking cotter pin through the hole in the shaft of the bolt...you are done! Pull the back deck upright into the couch position and go have a nice cold drink.

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