Haidyn's Crib #3 - Started Head Board Assembly and Front Assembly

I was going to make the curved moldings and trim next but the roller support I ordered for the band saw is on back order. So I decided to start work on the head board assembly and front assembly. The first thing I did was rough cut all the pieces I needed for the crib.

After cutting the pieces for the front assembly to finish size, I laid out the slats and doweled them to the bottom and top boards. I had to remember to work from the center out for layout and routing. While the glue was drying, I shaped all my different moldings.

The next step was to put the top and bottom cap boards on and cut and fit the moldings to them. Then I added the feet and turned pieces. The front assembly is sanded and ready for finishing. I do have to put in 6 threaded inserts but will do that after I determine where they go.

After cutting the pieces for the head board assembly to finish size, I laid out the slats and doweled them to the bottom board and wide top board. The bottom board and slats are glued but the wide top board and slats are not; again, I had to remember to work from the center out.

The next step was to cut the curve on the bottom of the top board. I marked the center of the board and lined it up with the center of the jig. I traced the curve on the board and cut close to the line with a jig saw. I then clamped the board to the jig and routed it to the curve on the jig. Before I cut the board, I drilled the dowel holes deeper to mark where the slots would go.

I then had to figure out the length of the slats. I did this by laying out where the legs went and moved the top board down 10 ¾” from the top of the legs and marked where the slats hit the top board.

I was then able to slide the slats into the jig and mark the contour on each slat. I used the jig saw to cut off close to the lines. I then lined up the marks with the jig and routed the slats flush with the jig.

After that, I glued the slats to the top board – the jig allowed me to get a nice fit.

When the sub assembly was dry, I doweled the legs to the top and bottom boards. Then I put the curve on the top of the top board in the same manner that I did the bottom curve. This assembly is ready to sand and put the curved moldings on after I get them glued up and shaped.

I will start the side assemblies next.

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa