Surviving Lost Futon Frame Hardware Nightmares
It seems that some of us have had a futon frame and lost the connecting hardware at one point or another. I bought a futon myself from 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 bought it for a family room. If you’re lucky enough to live your whole life in the same house or apartment, you’ll never have the need to move your futon, except perhaps to a different room or location. Getting replacement futon frame hardware involves several steps to locate exactly what you need.
First of all, don’t panic yet. Without the hardware to put everything back together, she’s 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 hold the hardware and attaching it to a part of the frame with thick packing tape so it’s easy to find. Who am I kidding? I’ve moved mine about three times now and each time I ended up losing a bolt, a barrel nut, a nylon roller here and there. Heck, I was lucky that all the wooden components made an appearance in every new move, let alone any hardware that did as well. Plus, isn’t moving house stressful enough without having to keep track of a small bag of hardware among a sea of furniture, clothes, dishes, toys, and appliances?
Continuing with this, we should calmly step back and think for a moment. Yes, we are stressed and furious at our spouse or the moving company for losing the futon hardware, but we need to get over that now. To be sure the futon needs our help and we are the only ones who can do it at this time. It’s time for us to go through the steps to get replacement hardware and there is a specific order in which we do this for the fastest results. I would suggest the following steps to start tracking replacement hardware as soon as possible.
First: identify the frame of your futon.
Having worked in retail, quite possibly the most difficult situation is when a customer walks into the store and needs help, but cannot identify the product to the salesperson or service technician when requesting parts. Granted, he’ll have to do some research by getting his receipt when he bought the futon at the store and identifying the model or name of the futon. Whether you inherited the futon, found it on the side of the road, or bought it at a garage sale, you’re in for a rough ride. Fear not though, as the internet can be used to help you find the design and attach a name to it for use in tracking hardware. Note that there are dozens of manufacturers using different hardware in their frames, including many that have since closed their doors. Hopefully your frame manufacturer is still around.
Second, talk to the retailer.
Of course, if you purchased your futon frame through a local retail store, it’s time to head over there and see if they can track down the hardware for your frame. Bring your receipt. If you don’t have a receipt, please bring a picture of the futon frame with you. Hopefully the salesperson or service representative knows about the products they have sold in the past. At best, they can provide you with the manufacturer’s name with contact information or have the parts on hand to get you up and running again. In the worst case, the store you bought it from is out of business or if the store is still available, they have no idea about the product anymore.
Third: search online.
Assuming we’ve hit the worst case scenario, it’s time to use the web to look up the manufacturer or 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’ll have to be a keen observer and sift through the many pictures of futon frames until you find one that closely resembles what you have. Identify the style name and manufacturer and then proceed to locate the futon frame manufacturer.
Fourth: talk to the manufacturer.
Assuming the retailer doesn’t have parts but can identify the manufacturer for you, at least you’ll have something to go on. Maybe you were able to locate your frame style through search engines. Again, search online using the websites discussed above using the manufacturer’s name. You are likely to get some online retail stores out of the search. Visually filter them 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 how to obtain hardware. If you can’t locate the manufacturer’s website, go ahead and 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. to find the manufacturer in hopes of tracking down the hardware.
Finally, the last resort.
If you couldn’t determine the name of the futon frame or the name of the manufacturer, you’re in a bind. At this point, your options are limited to heading to a hardware store and seeing if you can find some generic parts that might get you back up and running. The problem will be how to connect the bolts and barrel nuts and get the correct lengths if they are available. I would suggest taking one of the wooden arms and a stretcher rail to the shop. Start plugging in different bolts and nuts until you find a combination that connects correctly. You’ll also need to locate the 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, these may still be attached to the backrest platform, making your job a bit easier.
In conclusion, we have discussed the issues presented with missing futon hardware and how to go about tracking down the hardware you need. Basically identify your frame through a receipt or by locating it online. Visit the retail store where you bought it and get parts through them if they are still open. If you bought it privately or inherited the frame, locate 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 your wooden futon sections in hand and start trying out bolts and nuts until you find some that work. I sincerely hope you are able to get the necessary hardware to get your futon frame working again. I wish you the best of luck for you and your futon.
