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Just a quick update. I've added another set of legs and bed-rails. This converts the crib into a bed. The sides come off as a unit and the crib front and back become the head and foot boards. In this pic, you can see the connection with buried bed bolts. (The brass bed-bolt covers were back-ordered.) I don't thing my grandson minds though.

- AJS

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I finished up this crib over Christmas week, 2012, and delivered it to my daughter and her family that Friday. Attached are a couple pics, including my first grand-kid, Liam. As you can see, I was only a about 2 months late dropping it off.

I designed this crib after I noticed that all the cribs for sale online are IKEA-style things held together with cam bolts and have a ton of screw holes showing. I wanted something nicer, and the project grew from there. Eventually I stretched my Sketchup skills and drafted this design, which converts into a single bed as well.

Having learned not to paint myself into a corner, I was meticulous about the design of each joint and element. I made sure I had an idea how to go about each step before I incorporated it into the design. I also limited my tolerances to 1/16" (except for mortices) because CAD will bite you if you're not careful about that.

New tools to complete the project include a Jet dedicated morticer and a Grizzly 24" 2-drum sander. Both of which paid for themselves on this project alone.

I used book-matched maple panels for the mattress frame - seen in the 2nd to last pic. Otherwise, the crib is made of black walnut with brass accents. I included a pic of the 20/4×15" x 60" slab of old-growth I carved the front and back rails from.

The finish is a non-toxic salad bowl oil, followed by several layers of blonde shellac (about 1 lb. cut) buffed out with 600 grit paper. Finally, I rubbed on a food-safe mix of carnauba and bees wax and buffed it out with old t-shirt rags.

The crib is solid as a rock, weighs about what I do, and should be in the family for generations.

Gallery

Comments

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7,502 Posts
Very beautiful. Congrats also. A super nice build.
 

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982 Posts
Excellent build, great craftsmanship. This will become a family heirloom for sure.
 

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20 Posts
Very nice, Beautiful heirloom. Well done, did one like yours a few years ago. Thanks for showing it.
 

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20,030 Posts
Beautiful work

Welcome to LJ's
 

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19,753 Posts
Great looking crib and a cute little one too.
 

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259 Posts
Beautiful design and great build, will be enjoyed for many years and generations. Impressive work!

-www.sawblade.com
 

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14 Posts
Thanks everyone. A changing table was part of the original design. I cut it in favor of making this expandable into a toddler bed, so they can get more use out of it. Given how long it took to make, it was a good decision.
 

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Beautiful work! So much nicer than anything you could buy at a store
 
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