Surviving Missing Futon Frame Hardware Nightmares

There seems to be quite a few of us who have owned a futon frame and ended up losing the connecting hardware at one time or another. I myself bought a futon from the retail store I worked in for a number of years back in the early 1990s when futons were all the rage. Maybe you purchased your futon in college, acquired it from a friend or maybe made the purchase for a family room. If you're lucky to live out your life in the same house or apartment there will never be a need to move your futon except perhaps to a different room or location. Obtaining replacement futon frame hardware involves several steps approached in order to locate exactly what you need.

In the first place don't panic just yet. Without the hardware to attach everything back together you're in some serious trouble. However there are ways to obtain what you need. At this point we could explain the many benefits of using a small bag to contain the hardware and attach it to a part of the frame with heavy packing tape so it's easily found. Who am I kidding though? I've moved mine now about three times and each time I ended up missing a bolt, a barrel nut, a nylon roller here and there. Heck, I was lucky I had all the wood components show up at each new move let alone any hardware that happened to make it as well. Besides, 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?

Pursuing this further we must calmly step back and think for a moment. Yes, we're stressed out and fuming at either our spouse or the moving company for losing the futon hardware but we need to move past that now. To be sure the futon needs our help and we're the only ones who can do it at this point. It's time for us to go through the steps of obtaining replacement hardware and there is a specific order in which we do this to obtain the fastest results. I would suggest the following steps to start tracking down replacement hardware as soon as possible.

First - identify your futon frame.
Having worked retail, it's quite possibly the toughest situation when a customer comes into the store needing assistance but can't identify the product to the salesperson or service individual when requesting parts. Granted you're going to have to do a little research by pulling your receipt when you bought the futon from the store and identify the model or name of the futon. If you inherited the futon, found it by the side of the road or bought it at a garage sale you're in for 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 tracking down hardware. Be aware that there are dozens of manufacturers out there using different hardware in their frames including many that have since closed their doors. Hopefully the manufacturer of your frame is still around.

Second - speak to the retailer.
Of course if you purchased your futon frame through a local retail store it's time to head down there and see if they can track down the hardware for your frame. Bring your receipt. If you don't have a receipt, then bring an image of the futon frame with you. Hopefully the salesperson or service representative is knowledgeable about the products they've carried in the past. Best case scenario, they either can provide you with the name of the manufacturer with contact information or have the parts on hand to get you back up and running. Worst case scenario the store you purchased it from is out of business or if the store is still around they have no clue about the product anymore.

Third - search online.
Supposing we've hit the worse case scenario it's time to use the web to search for the manufacturer or the name of the style of futon you have. I'd suggest using Google, Bing or Yahoo and use the name adding the word futon to the search.  If you weren't able to locate a name you're going to have to become a very good spotter and sift through the many images of futon frames till you find one that is very close to what you have. Identify the name of the style and the manufacturer and then proceed to locate the manufacturer of the futon frame.

Fourth - speak to the manufacturer.
Assuming the retailer didn't have parts but could identify the manufacturer for you then you at least have something to go on. Perhaps you were able to locate your frame style through the search engines. Again, search online using the websites previously discussed using the name of the manufacturer. You'll likely get some online retail stores off of the search. Filter them out visually until you find a link for the manufacturer. Most do have websites, locate a contact phone number or email address and contact them for information on obtaining hardware. If you're unable to locate the manufacturer's website go ahead and contact one of the many futon stores that pop-up in the search results and email them with your issue and ask if they can either sell you hardware or point you in the right direction for finding the manufacturer in hopes of tracking down hardware.

Finally - the last resort.
If you were unable to determine the name of the futon frame or the name of the manufacturer you are indeed in a tight spot. At this point your options are limited to heading down to a hardware store and seeing if you can locate some generic parts that might get you back up and running. The problem will be in the way of connecting bolts and barrel nuts and getting the right lengths if available. I would suggest taking one of the wood arms and a stretcher rail with you to the store. Begin plugging in different bolts and nuts till you find a combination that connects correctly. You'll also need to track down connecting pins, washers and clips for the seat and back section as well as the four nylon rollers that most futon frames use on the back rest. If you're lucky these may still be attached to the backrest deck making your job a bit easier.

In conclusion we've discussed the issues presented with lost futon hardware and how to go about tracking down the hardware you need. Basically identify your frame through a receipt or spotting it online. Visit the retailer store you purchased it from and obtain parts through them if they are still open. If you purchased it privately or inherited the frame track down the manufacturer using a search engine of your choice and speak to them about ordering replacements. If you aren't able to locate the manufacturer but have found stores online contact one of them to see if they can sell you hardware. If all else fails visit the local hardware store with your wood futon sections in hand and begin trying bolts and nuts till you find some that work. I sincerely hope you're able to obtain the needed hardware to get your futon frame back up and running. I wish you the best of luck to you and your futon.