Slats for Baby Crib

[Mike Goetzke]

I'm going to build a 3 in 1 crib for my daughter. I'm following the famous Wood magazine design but with some customized features. The plan calls for slats on the front on the crib but I will also be applying them to the sides. The slats are 1-1/2" wide x 3/8" thick and they fit in mortises in a top & bottom rail. I have a Domino XL and was wondering if I could make the slats like a long Domino and have them fit tight into Domino mortises. I found the width of the mortise on the wide setting is 16.5mm + bit diameter. So if I use the 10mm tenon size to match the 3/8" thickness my slots will only be about an inch wide. So here's my question:

1) Could I cut mortises twice next to each other overlapping so as to get the 1-1/2" width (or would I get an unsightly step)?
2) Or should I just make the mortise narrower than 1-1/2" and just reduce the width of the slats on the ends to fit the mortise?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[tjbnwi]

Answer to #1- Yes easy to do with a little practice.

Answer to #2- No reason why you can't reduce the width, careful layout is the key to doing this.

Tom

 

[dltflt]

I am just finishing that same bed. I used the DF500 to make the mortises. I made a jig that I just move the Domino from side to side to get 1 ½" wide slot. I would make the thickness a bit heavy so it is the correct thickness after sanding. I will take a picture of the jig and post later tonight or tomorrow.

 

[Mike Goetzke]

Thanks for the replies.

I was thinking if I make the slats as long Domino tenons I will probably need to get a metric router roundover bit ???

Mike

 

[dltflt]

I used a ⅜ beading bit and it fit the slot just fine