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:widea:, 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.:elvis::icon_cheers (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
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:widea:, 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.:elvis::icon_cheers (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
Last edited: