Baby Crib

[maxpower10]

I've got a 5 year old girl, a 2 year old girl, and now I have a boy on the way, due in May.  It took this long for my wife to ask (tell) me to build a baby crib to that will be able to be handed from generation to generation.  Has anyone out there done a crib?  Do you have plans?  I am aware of all the legal/safety specs.  I want fixed sides, which will be great and safe, but I would like to be able to raise and lower the bed.  Best way to do that is??????  Also, if anyone has any recommendation on baby safe finishes.  It will be painted as well as stained so any help there would be great!  Thanks!

 

[mouppe]

I think the easiest and safest way to make the bed lower or higher is by using notched stretchers, similar to the ones on the back of deck chairs. This way you will also avoid having to work with metal as with the cribs you buy.

Re your other thread, a crib would be a great project for your domino with all the slats involved.

Check out Tried and True Finishes for safe and ecofriendly wood finishes. Why are you painting and staining? This makes little sense to me- perhaps I am missing something, unless parts of the crib will be stained and other parts painted which I think would look a little odd.

Congrats on the impending arrival.

 

[maxpower10]

The sides will be walnut stained very dark, almost black.  The font and back will be painted white.  It is actually a very nice look with blue bedding.  It is the project I bought the domino for!

 

[Tim Morris]

I built one about seven years ago. The plan was through www.woodsmithstore.com, which is local to me. It had a hardware kit that addresses all you needs as well as specs and recommendations of what to do and not do as far as safety. Used it for two children and is now safely stored in the basement waiting to be handed down.  [big grin]

I actually just looked for a link and it doesn't look like it's available any more.

 

[RDMuller]

Stop by a true baby furniture store (not the Walmarts, Targets,etc) and look at what they are selling.  Drop sides are out for very good reason === dangerous from day 1 and lethal if anything pops a screw loose.  These companies are making beds that serve from the crib stage on up through the 4-7 age by having a swap out front panel that substitutes for the front side.  Pretty clever and  you get alot more years out of the furniture.  The other grandparents bought the crib and I built a changing table.  Safe finishes are a must on the crib.  Our 6 month old granddaughter has to bite everything she can get her mouth to --- like a puppy.  We caught here gnawing away on an end table leg the other day.  If you really want to get the true information on the safety of a finish, call the tech support department for any of the major manufactures.  It is worthwhile to endure the phone directory jungle to get to the right people.  They are always most helpful when you get to the right ones.  General Finishes in Wisconsin is excellent with a wide product line.  They sell in places like Rocler

 

[davee]

You will really appreciate the Domino in making a crib.  All the mortices were cut in an short afternoon.  I made this before the drop sides issue was so visible.  Rockler has the mattress hardware.  I'd purchase that, and then build the frame around these dimensions.  You can add t-nuts are various heights to raise/lower the entire mattress frame.  I don't remember the finish as my wife handles that side of the project.

 

[EcoFurniture]

Build this one for a natural home furnishing store as a display. For legal reasons, I never sold any baby cribs!!!

I used solid douglas fir and pine. The finish was a pure linseed oil.

 

[maxpower10]

Would it be advisable to pin all of the dominoes as well as glue in this situation?  In regards to the slats. 

 

[Scott_W]

I built 2 sleigh style crib/beds. The go from a crib to a day bed, then to a double bed. I took a few picture in the store then scaled the drawing.

My daughters have them set up as double beds now that they are older.

Unfortunately I have no plans, just kid of built as I went.

scott

 

[jonny round boy]

Scott,

That's a really nice design! Shame you don't have plans.

 

[awdriven]

A company called Romina sells a crib a lot like yours, Scott. It's called a Nerva. Lovely design and a great idea on your part to make it convertible.

A crib has to be the ultimate in thinking out a design. You don't want any little ones to get a head or limb trapped, have unexpected things happen with hardware, chew on something unhealthy... I admire you guys who build cribs.

 

[Scott_W]

Thanks, like I said it isn't my design, we copied it from pictures and brochures and "scaled" things from the pictures. I then sent my preg wife back to verify some of my measurements!  [embarassed]

I have a few templates somewhere. We saw it at a store called "Baby's World" in Stoney Creek Ont.

http://www.babyworlds.com/crib-selection.htm

scott

 

[maxpower10]

You will really appreciate the Domino in making a crib.  All the mortices were cut in an short afternoon.  I made this before the drop sides issue was so visible.  Rockler has the mattress hardware.  I'd purchase that, and then build the frame around these dimensions.  You can add t-nuts are various heights to raise/lower the entire mattress frame.  I don't remember the finish as my wife handles that side of the project.

MY crib is very similar in design to yours.  No drop sides though.

The slots on the crib can be no more than 2 3/8" apart.  I'm planning on using 1.5" wide stock for the slats with the 2 3/8" spaces in between.  That means that my mortises have to be 3 7/8" apart for the spacing to be correct and safe.  That is 98.425mm.  Does that mean that I am not going to be able to use the cross stops to be sure the slats are lined up with the top and bottom rail?  Or do I just set the spacing for (98.425 x 2)=196.85(197) and then do every other one?

Or would it be a better idea to hand mark each one and then mortise them?  I was planning on using the smallest width setting for the mortise as well to keep the slats plumb?  Any thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[maxpower10]

Here's a picture of my design so far.

 

[davee]

You will really appreciate the Domino in making a crib.  All the mortices were cut in an short afternoon.  I made this before the drop sides issue was so visible.  Rockler has the mattress hardware.  I'd purchase that, and then build the frame around these dimensions.  You can add t-nuts are various heights to raise/lower the entire mattress frame.  I don't remember the finish as my wife handles that side of the project.

MY crib is very similar in design to yours.  No drop sides though.

The slots on the crib can be no more than 2 3/8" apart.  I'm planning on using 1.5" wide stock for the slats with the 2 3/8" spaces in between.  That means that my mortises have to be 3 7/8" apart for the spacing to be correct and safe.  That is 98.425mm.  Does that mean that I am not going to be able to use the cross stops to be sure the slats are lined up with the top and bottom rail?  Or do I just set the spacing for (98.425 x 2)=196.85(197) and then do every other one?

Or would it be a better idea to hand mark each one and then mortise them?  I was planning on using the smallest width setting for the mortise as well to keep the slats plumb?  Any thoughts?

Thanks.

I also used 1.5 inch slats.  With the slats being so close together, I simply hand marked them and did not use the cross stop.  Aligning the marks on the top/bottom rail kept them plumb.  I also used the tight setting for alignment and strenght.  The trim stop was great for alignment in cutting the mortices in the slats.

 

[maxpower10]

What about glue here?  Any special glue needed?  What do most people use for indoor kids furniture?

 

[davee]

What about glue here?  Any special glue needed?  What do most people use for indoor kids furniture?

I used Titebond glue.  If concerned simple Elmers or white glue will work fine.  I assume kids still ingest the stuff in kindergarten without harm!

 

[maxpower10]

So I've got all of the slats cut and mortised.  I was thinking I would glue all of the dominoes into both sides of the slats and pin them.  Then, when that dries, I will glue the top and bottom rails to the slats and pin them.  I have to do it in steps because I've got to bring the parts in my house to dry in the warmth rather than cold 30 degree shop.  Is this an acceptable method of assembly?

 

[jonny round boy]

Why are you planning to pin the dominoes?

 

[maxpower10]

Why are you planning to pin the dominoes?

Just a little extra reinforcement.  This part of the crib will be painted so a little filler in the pin holes and I should be all set.  Do you think it's not needed to pin them?