1ST Grandchild Project (WIP) - Completed!

1ST Grandchild Project (WIP) - Completed! · 10-17-2009, 10:53 PM

We are being blessed with our first grandchild. Our oldest daughter is due in January 2010.

Among the many projects on the list was a baby cradle. I searched the web and found one that was published awhile back in Woodsmith magazine that she really liked. I ordered the plan and cheated a bit and also got the hardware kit that included the 22 turned oak spindles. Although I do have a lathe, I just couldn't see myself turning 22 identical spindles with any success!

My first challenge was to cut all of the adjoining rails and stiles for the end panels at precisely 15 degrees with mortise and tenon joinery. With a bunch of help from Joe Scharle and the Woodrat

, we were successful in cutting perfect mortice's for the floating tenons and then it was onto cutting out the curved rails for the top of the end panels.

With my decision to go with flat panels (options were plywood panel, raised oak panel or solid oak panel (no rails/stiles) I found that I needed another tool accessory! Off I went looking for a slot cutter to accommodate the not so ¼” oak plywood, It turned out to be 7/32”. With assistance from Raleigh WC, I was in business with the correct slot cutter and proceeded to get yet another lesson from Joe regarding safe freehand curved slot cutting at the router table.

All done a ready for the panels…

The panels of course also had to be cut at close to that 15 degrees on the sides. Utilizing my Universal Crosscut sled and my new nifty digital protractor, they were a snap to cut!

With the end panels all dry fitted, I though it was time to move onto the side rails.

All rails and stiles for the sides were cut to the final dimensions and this time I decided to not bother Joe and just go with 3/8” dowel joinery. Then onto drilling all 44 holes in the rails for the spindles.

Needless to say the glueup was somewhat challenging in terms of aligning all of those spindles and drawing it all together.

Back to the end panels….

After the glueup had dried, I had shear off the “little ears” at the bottom of each end panel (stile ends).

For this, I once again turned to the crosscut sled, held my breath (no guard!) and they sheared off without incident.

(Gotta love that Universal Crosscut Sled!)

Next. Drilled and countersunk all the holes necessary to attach the side rail frames, Chucked up a ¼” roundover bit in the Colt and profiled the edges.

And this is where I stand so far after more sanding and dry fits.

Hopefully tomorrow, I will get the basket bottom cut and next week start work on the uprights, stretcher and feet.

It’s been a fun project so far ……

Thanks for looking!

Wayne

Mike Davis · 10-17-2009, 11:34 PM

Looking great!

That will be a family heirloom for many generations to come.

McRabbet · 10-17-2009, 11:38 PM

That is going to be a beautiful crib, Wayne. Congratulations on the forthcoming addition to the family -- your daughter and SIL will be very pleased that you've made this heirloom for their new Princess. Kudos to Joe for his help, too!

MrAudio815 · 10-17-2009, 11:42 PM

Wow that looks very good,

And great step by step with all those wonderful pictures.

YOU ROCK~!

Trent Mason · 10-18-2009, 12:45 AM

Thanks for sharing this Wayne. That is a great looking crib. Congrats on the new addition to the family and your craftsmanship will definitely be appreciated and valued for generations to come.

Joe Scharle · 10-18-2009, 10:59 AM

It's all coming together nicely!
Freehand curved slot cutting is different w/o a crutch (I mean fence).....Right!

But you're in business now.
And thanks for showing me the tape trick.

farmerbw · 10-18-2009, 12:11 PM

WOW, very nice work.

That's an interesting looking crosscut sled. Is that your design or from plans?

Brian.

sawduster · 10-18-2009, 12:33 PM

Wow !

Way over my head bro

Nice work and really good WIP pics . Man that is gonna be a treasure for years to come

congrats

Jeff Mills · 10-18-2009, 12:49 PM

Very very nice Chuck

Canuck · 10-18-2009, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by farmerbw

WOW, very nice work.

That's an interesting looking crosscut sled. Is that your design or from plans?

Brian.

Thanks Brian!

The sled was actually built from a plan published in Wood magazine awhile ago. It has proven to be an invaluable jig around my shop for cutting tricky angles, small workpieces etc.. Here is a little better picture of the sled by itself.

(Let me know (via PM) if you are interested in a copy of the plan.)

Thanks again,

Wayne

Canuck · 10-18-2009, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by Joe Scharle

It's all coming together nicely!
Freehand curved slot cutting is different w/o a crutch (I mean fence).....Right!

But you're in business now.
And thanks for showing me the tape trick.

Thanks Joe! And. Yes the double stick tape and backer block sure resolved any end tearout issues.

The worst was trying to refrain from too much burning as I repositioned the push pad as I cut the slot. Stopped a couple of times way to long to reposition!

Kathy asked if something was burning in the garage!!!!!

No honey, just a little red oak!!

Wayne

farmerbw · 10-18-2009, 01:01 PM

Wayne, thanks for the xtra pic.

That looks real useful and doesn't appear too awfully complicated to make with the "proper" tools. While not something I have an immediate need for, least not that I'm aware of

, it's something I can think of uses for. Thnx for the offer and PM sent.

Brian.

LeftyTom · 10-18-2009, 03:55 PM

Wayne, you and the cradle ROCK!

Bas · 10-18-2009, 06:14 PM

Wow Wayne, that looks outstanding! I think the flat panels were the right choice, raised panels would have been too busy, IMHO, and detract from the spindles.

Canuck · 10-31-2009, 09:26 PM

Well. As of this evening I can report a wee bit more progress on the cradle project.

I figured that it was time to move on to the uprights, stretcher and feet that are going to hopefully tie all of this together.
I rough cut the uprights, established a center line for the curve template and to locate the center line of the tenon on the upright as well as the through mortise in the upright and foot.

Success. They actually do fit!!!

With Joe’s assistance (AGAIN!) and that great Woodrat, we cut the through tenon for each end of the bottom stretcher.

Today, I managed to jump onto the bandsaw and begin shaping the feet and uprights. After a rough cut with the bandsaw, I did some pattern routing with the template and the Bosch Colt and pattern bit.

And the end result of the feet ....

Next was putting the final profile onto the sides of the feet and uprights, using a 1/4” round over.

After some very light sanding, I tried a dry fir of the feet, uprights, stretcher and stretcher cap. All seems to fairly well.

At this point, I decided to call it a day and left it dry fitted with the basket actually able swing in the uprights.

Perhaps tomorrow I will shape the stretcher and move onto more sanding, installing the pendulum dowels and knobs and swing locking knobs.

The latest request from the LOML is to have it all done in time for a planned baby shower, the 1st week in December. Barring any major issues, I may just make it!!!!

Thanks for looking!

Wayne