Survive the lost nightmares of futon frame hardware

It seems that some of us have had a futon frame and ended up losing connection hardware at one point or another. I bought a futon myself at the retail store I worked at for several years in the early 1990s, when futons were all the rage. Maybe you bought your futon in college, got it from a friend, or maybe you shopped for a family room. If you are lucky enough to live your life in the same house or apartment, your futon will never need to be moved, except perhaps to a different room or location. Getting replacement hardware for your futon frame involves several steps to locate exactly what you need.

First of all, don’t panic just yet. Without the hardware to put everything back together, you’re in deep trouble. However, there are ways to get what you need. At this point we could explain the many benefits of using a small bag to contain the hardware and fastening it to a part of the frame with heavy packing tape so that it is easy to find. Who am I kidding? I have moved mine now about three times and each time I have missed a bolt, a cylinder nut, a nylon roller here and there. Heck, I was lucky that all the wooden components showed up on every new move, much less any hardware that did too. Plus, isn’t moving your home stressful enough without having to keep track of a small bag of metal hardware among a sea of ​​furniture, clothing, dishes, toys, and appliances?

Continuing with this, we must calmly step back and think for a moment. Yes, we are stressed and angry at our spouse or the moving company for losing our futon hardware, but we have to get over that now. To be sure that the futon needs our help and we are the only ones who can do it right now. It’s time for us to go through the steps to get replacement hardware and there is a specific order in which we do it for the fastest results. I would suggest the following steps to start tracking replacement hardware ASAP.

First, identify your futon frame.

Having worked in retail, it is quite possible that it is the most difficult situation when a customer walks into the store needing help but cannot identify the product to the salesperson or service personnel when ordering parts. Okay, you will have to do a little research by getting your receipt when you bought the futon from the store and identifying the model or name of the futon. If you inherited the futon, found it on the side of the road, or bought it at a yard sale, you will have a tough road ahead. Fear not, however, as the Internet can be used to help you find the design and attach a name to it for use in locating the hardware. Keep in mind that there are dozens of manufacturers that use different hardware on their frames, including many that have since closed their doors. Hopefully the manufacturer of your frame is still around.

Second, talk to the retailer.

Of course, if you bought your futon frame through a local retail store, it’s time to go there and see if they can trace the hardware for your frame. Bring your receipt. If you don’t have a receipt, bring a picture of the futon frame. Hopefully the salesperson or service representative is aware of the products they have marketed in the past. In the best case, they can provide you with the manufacturer’s name with contact information or have the parts on hand to get you back up and running. In the worst case, the store you bought it from is out of business or if the store is still available, they no longer have a clue of the product.

Third: search online.

Suppose we have reached the worst case scenario, it is time to use the web to search for the manufacturer or the name of the style of futon you have. I would suggest using Google, Bing or Yahoo and using the name by adding the word futon to the search. If you couldn’t find a name, you will have to become a good observer and examine the many images of futon frames until you find one that closely resembles the one you have. Identify the style name and manufacturer and then proceed to locate the manufacturer of the futon frame.

Fourth: talk to the manufacturer.

Assuming the retailer has no parts, but can identify the manufacturer for you, you at least have something to go on. Perhaps you were able to locate your frame style through search engines. Again, search online using the websites discussed above using the manufacturer’s name. It will probably pull some online retail stores out of your search. Filter them visually until you find a link for the manufacturer. Most have websites, find a contact phone number or email address and contact them for information on obtaining hardware. If you can’t locate the manufacturer’s website, contact one of the many futon stores listed in the search results and email them your problem and ask if they can sell you hardware or point you in the right direction. for finding the manufacturer in hopes of tracing the hardware.

Finally, the last resort.

If you couldn’t determine the name of the futon frame or the name of the manufacturer, you are indeed in a bind. At this point, your options are limited to heading to a hardware store and seeing if you can locate some generic parts that could get you working again. The problem will be in how to connect cylinder nuts and bolts and get the proper lengths if available. I would suggest bringing one of the wooden arms and a stretcher rail to the store. Start plugging in different bolts and nuts until you find a combination that connects properly. You will also need to locate connecting pins, washers, and clips for the seat and back section, as well as the four nylon rollers that most futons use on the back. If you’re lucky, they may still be attached to the backrest platform, making your job a bit easier.

In conclusion, we have discussed the problems that come with missing futon hardware and how to track down the hardware you need. Basically, identify your frame through a receipt or by locating it online. Visit the retail store you bought it from and get parts through them if they’re still open. If you bought it privately or inherited the frame, search for the manufacturer using a search engine of your choice and talk to them about ordering replacements. If you can’t locate the manufacturer, but have found online stores, contact one of them to see if they can sell you hardware. If all else fails, visit your local hardware store with the wooden futon sections in hand and start testing bolts and nuts until you find a few that work. I sincerely hope that you can get the hardware you need to get your futon frame working again. I wish you the best of luck to you and your futon.