Hi Roger
basic construction was 3 boxes made out of cheap plywood to house the drawer boxes
I went with 18mm but have to say made it a bit heavy everytime I had to get it out and together for each part of build
measurements were easy (buy the mattress first) we went for 1400 x 700 made it easy to remember during build
it was also a decent size should you wish to convert to bed
the boxes were 1400 long once connected together (1400\3) they were 140mm tall
I built a sort of face frame 100mm x20mm
probably not needed to so big be honest
the frame was routed out to slide over the boxes 10mm deep on frame 8mm rebate on plywood
once slid together i used 3 M6 thread inserts to bolt the frame to the boxes
a board was fitted across the back of the 3 boxes (again with threaded inserts) to hold the base altogether
the reason for all above was option to pack away the cot in loft if needed, but to assemble relatively easily
a couple of safety bits I used, but you make your own decisions here please:
no gaps more than size of coke can and no less than 5cm
no gaps you get trap a finger in
it seems that a few countries (not uk yet) are banning drop sides as a few accidents from failed catches
this leaves you 2 options doors or raising the mattress
the previous one i built had bifold doors on one side and a hinged fold down flap on the other
it was ok but there is the fear of trapped fingers as they are being closed
no square edges around the top
the top of mattress should be 50cm from top of cot and no way for them to climb..mistake with first cot
the fold down side was turned to face wall as soon as little one could climb
i will continue as i get time
any of this not make sense then say so please and i could reference back to photos
Steve