Finishing baby bassinet and crib

[luckyGoose]

We're expecting our first on New Year's day, and I've been busy building a bassinet and crib. The bassinet is build from the 1986 Woodsmith Heirloom Cradle (https://www.amazon.com/Woodsmith-December-Heirloom-Cradle-Joinery/dp/B0048822JW) and the Crib is my take on the Amish manhattan crib (https://amishdirectfurniture.com/shop/kids/manhattan-conversion-crib/).

I'm using wormy maple and walnut for the crib and tiger maple and walnut for the cradle, with walnut as the accent wood.

Any recommendations for a baby safe finish? Not that I'm expecting the baby to chew the wood, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. I don't have a spray setup and prefer applying with a cloth. Also, I'd like to have some degree of protection so I don't have to refinish every two years.

Appreciate any advice you experienced folk have.

Thanks!
-Yogi

 

[Bill Clemmons]

Both of those are pretty ambitious projects. I look forward to seeing some of the in progress and completed pics. And congratulations on becoming parents. I'll let others comment on the child safe finish.

 

[Jeff]

There have been a lot of crib builds here at NCWW including the 3-in-one convertible bed. All finishes are "food safe" or "baby safe" once they are fully cured so there isn't any magic solution there. I think dewaxed shellac is a good choice and it's easily repairable if necessary without a lot of sanding and prep for a new finish.

Here's some general information on crib safety aspects.

https://onsafety.cpsc.gov/blog/2011/06/14/the-new-crib-standard-questions-and-answers/

https://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/graham-4-in-1-convertible-crib/?pkey=bcribs&isx=0.0.779

 

[Canuck]

Yogi

I built the same cradle about 9 years ago and has been passed around to 5 grand daughters and has held up very well.

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It was constructed with red oak with a light stain (Golden Pecan) and four brushed on coats of dewaxed shellac. It has been passed around several times and still does not require refinishing. I had read somewhere that with several coats of shellac that there should not be any issues in regards to food safety impact to the wee ones. At the time, Woodsmith offered a hardware kit that consisted of the spindles . (I still have a copy of the Woodsmith plan around here somewhere if you would like a copy.


Wayne

(Here is the thread where I tried to detail the build. https://www.ncwoodworker.net/forums/showthread.php?t=26564&highlight=cradle )

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[luckyGoose]

Thanks @Canuck! I was going to set up the hardware myself, but it might be a good idea to just buy it. I'll stick with shellac and wax

 

[sawman101]

Congratulations on the upgrade to parenthood Yogi! I can add nothing more to the above advice, but I also look forward to progress reports.