Tracie,

Wax is the best alternative for lubricating bed bolts.  I would probably use parafin over beeswax, but both would work.  Microcrystaline would be fine as well if you have it on hand.  However, lubrication may not be your only issue.  You did not state the age of the bed, but on many beds that use bed bolts, a square iron/steel nut was set into a mortise hole and then plugged with a piece of wood.  The nut has a bit of free play in the hole.  Sometimes when re-assembling the bed, the nuts have shifted and either do not engage at all, or become cross-threaded.  This is the same as cross-threading a modern nut and bolt, with a resulting tightening of the bolt.  If it is forced, the threads can be stripped on either the bolt or nut or both.  If you have this situation, jiggle the nut and try again.  Eventually the threads will properly align, and the bolt should thread normally.  That is, unless someone in the past forced a cross-threaded bolt and partially stripped the threads.  Even then, you usually can eventually get proper alignment, although it can take a number of tries.  Good luck!

Marc
President, American Conservation Consortium, Ltd.
www.conservator.com

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