This is a upside down picture of the frame, consisting of four 2" x 10" pine boards and decking.
Popular hardside waterbed mattress sizes are...
Super Single 4'x7'
Queen 5'x7'
Cal King 6'x7'
Super Single Frame
Cut 2> pc 2"X10" 85 1/2 "long (Side)
Cut 1> pc 2"X10" 48" long (Wall Board)
Cut 1> pc 2"x10" 51" long (Foot Board)
Decking 2> pc 1/2" plywood cut 24"X85"
Queen Frame
Cut 2> pc 2"X10" 85 1/2 " long (Side)
Cut 1> pc 2"X10" 60" long(Wall Board)
Cut 1> pc 2"x10" 63" long (Foot Board)
Decking 2> pc 1/2" plywood cut 24"X85"
1> pc 1/2" plywood cut 12"X85"
Cal King Frame
Cut 2> pc 2"X10" 85 1/2 " long (Side)
Cut 1> pc 2"X10" 72" long(Wall Board)
Cut 1> pc 2"x10" 75" long (Foot Board)
Decking 3> pc 1/2" plywood cut 24"X85
The Pedestal is made 1' smaller than the frame size.The frame will over hang approx 6" all the way around.
Material can be pine, press board or ?. The height can vary. (9", 12",14",18")
The drawing is only a example... you can use your imagination.
Note.
A 2" X 10" Pine board is really 1 1/2" X 9 1/4"
(use only dry wood) Pine is the least expensive.
The foot baord is 3" longer than the wall board...It covers the end of the two side boards, the wall board goes on the inside of the two side boards...This will give you the correct inside mattress dimensions...
To make an extended frame( one which a headboard can sit on) add 7 3/4" to the length of the side boards.
The frame corners are fastened together with heavy duty L brackets. door hindge or lag bolts.. The plywood decking can be attached to the bottom of the frame using 1 1/2" screws. The pedestal can also be assembled using 1 1/2" screws.
Keep in mind that a waterbed frame in nothing more than a box sitting on a supportive base...
Remember, you are only limited by your imagination...One of the most beautiful waterbed headboards I have ever seen... was a antique door...