Mission Styled Baby Crib

CONGRADULATIONS ON THE TWINS!! I LOVE THE CLEAN LOOK OF THE MISSION STYLE AND THE OAK IS BEAUTIFULLY FINISHED. YOU HAVE TWO VERY BLESSED CHILDREN. I HOPE THEY WILL CHERISH THOSE CRIBS AS THEY GROW OLDER AND HAVE A NEED FOR THEM THEMSELVES. THANKS FOR SHARING.

-- Jesus is Lord!

Beautiful !
I think these will last for centuries, & be cherished by all.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Thanks for the positive feed back guys! Always appreciated. I have had lots of compliments from the “nonwoodworkers” in my life, but compliments from those who understand the invisible how’s and why’s of a project mean even more to me.

-- Duane Kohles

Hello Duane,

Beautiful looking crib. I’m an expecting father that is getting ready to build my son a crib. I have decided to go with the heirloom crib, but with a few minor changes. I have one question for you. How did you install your vertical slates? My plan calls for cutting a grove in the upper and lower rails and then using filler blocks between the slats. Hopefully my question makes sense.

Thanks!
Brian

-- Brian, Washington

Brian
Thanks, and that is exactly how I made mine. The lower rails on the sides, back and gate are the same thickness as the slats. So I milled a 3/8 wide x 3/8 (or 1/2) deep dado full lenth of the rail. I then milled a mating tennon on the slats (all four faces), so any gap between the tennon and the mortice will be covered by the shoulder of the tennon. I kept the tennon a little short, so excess glue would have a place to go. I made a stick of filler wood 3/8 wide and tall enough to be proud after gluing. After I determined the length of the filler pieces I cut them to length and glued them in (using the tennoned slats to set the distance), after the glue dried I then jointed that edge flat, so the end appearance was a bunch of individually cut mortices. Then I glued the slats into the upper and lower rails.

The arched upper rails on the sides and back were basically the same, but because I wanted an arch and the detail of a thicker upper rail, I did not tennon the upper end of the slat. Instead the whole slat became the tennon. Same process, except after the spacer blocks were glued in and dried, I cut the arches.

I hope this helps, feel free to contact me if you have any questions. It was definately one of the more rewarding projects I have ever tackled.

-- Duane Kohles

This sounds like a winnner. My plan does not call for tenons on the slats. The plan just states that the slats should be 3/8” wide to fit in the 3/8” wide grove. The way you did it sounds like the best way since the tenon shoulder would cover up any possible gaps with the mortise.

Thanks for the feedback Duane… I do appreciate it.

-- Brian, Washington

Good Luck Brian!

Can’t wait to see the finished product.

-- Duane Kohles

Very nice set of cribs.

You should be proud.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †