anybody ever put a regular mattress into a waterbed frame?

My back sucks and I don't think a waterbed mattress would be good for it, but the dimensions of my waterbed frame are weird ... 84x48 (or 7x4 feet).

What to do, texags? All the mattress stores are closed so I figured y'all may be able to provide superior wisdom.

you could always use a torch and make the frame match whatever mattress dimensions you get... this list should help:

• Twin Mattress Size 39" wide x 75" long
  
• Twin Extra Long Mattress Size 39" wide x 80" long
  
• Full Mattress Size 54" wide x 75" long
  
• Full Extra Long Mattress 54" wide x 80" long
  
• Queen Mattress Size 60" wide x 80" long
  
• Queen Split Mattress 60" wide x 80" long
  Two 30" x 80"
  
• King Mattress Size 76" wide x 80" long
  
• King Split Mattress 78" wide x 80" long
  Two Twin Extra Long beds together
  
• California/Western King Mattress 72" wide x 84" long

put a 3/4 inch thick board on it for starters and then have 4" thick foam cut to fit...you will probably have to use knit sheets. That is much cheaper than investing in a bed those dimensions....the foam can be purchased at Hancock Fabrics, Cloth World, most fabric/sewing stores. See if you can get your back problems cured first and then buy a top quality bed when you can afford it and have the room.

also, metal frames w/ wheels are usu about 25-50$ w/ purchase of mattress...

Yes, Sam's has a universal bed frame that is less than $30 and can fit from twin to king. Don't skimp on a mattress is my point...if you can't afford the best then make do for now while also saving like crazy. The best does not mean the most expensive but none worth having are cheap. You can call furniture stores and ask when their next bedding sale will be...I think we bought ours around Fourth of July Sale.