okay guys my Jock friends Big Al needs help

Well, a cradle, of course. A shelf for over the changing table for all that stuff. A changing table, a dresser that will handle a cushion on the top to be a changing table for now, dresser for later.
Look at nursery furniture and stuff and see what you want to make.

-- Berta in NC

Alistair,

When my sister-in-law had my first niece I made her a cradle, the kind that has a stand to support it so it rocks. That cradle has been used for 5 nieces and a nephew and is now in storage waiting for grandkids. Talk about an heirloom!

-- Don, Pittsburgh

Yup a cradle or a crib done to code. you can’t go wrong with either.

-- If we learn from our mistakes, I'm getting a fantastic education.

Hi Grandpa

I would go with a crib because it can be used longer. Also makes a nice heirloom for generation to come. If you go to www.rockler.com, they they have crib plans #21787 = $13.99 and hardware kit #20110 = $121.99. With your wonderful God given wood working talent you could design your own, but it would give you the size for the spring mattress and the basic measurements. Congratulations to your son and wife!

God Bless
tom

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

I’d probably go with the cradle idea too.
Do it from a plan because they are trickier than you might think.

I trust you have a decent router?

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

If you make a binkie, use hardwood so it doesn’t splinter.

-- Paul, Washington State

How about a rocking horse? There are great plans available.

On the binkie, be sure to finish it with mineral oil.

-- Days in the shop don't count toward the total.

When we had our first baby, the wife handed me a request list…
I honored:
Crib, used the Rockler plans and HW kit, lot of tedious work, but turned out great. Would recommend a crib, they get used for 18-24 months per child, versus a cradle which only gets used for a few months.

High-Chair, I know I found some plans and modified them slightly, very easy, can get web straps and the buckles anywhere. Also found the tray HW kit which was nice to have. They won’t start using this for about 6-8 months, until the kid is sitting up and holding his/her head up and even eating the mushed up carrots and chicken. Then they only use it for 8-12 months and they need a booster seat.

Rocking Chairs (of course). This would be used forever :)

A shelf for over the changing table is a great idea. Ours is about 48” wide and has a top shelf that is oak, and then I used cheap pine to do the lower shelf and partitions between the shelves and those got painted black. It is great for storing baby wipes, diapers, butt cream, etc. Mounted right over the changing table. Plus as the kid gets older it becomes a normal every-day shelf for stuff. My wife mounted some of the LED puck lights underneath so there is diffused lighting coming down onto the changing table.

I refused to do the cradle for the same argument ND2ELK put forward, not used as long. Another friend of ours requested (and paid for) a cradle so I did one for her. I did it without plans, they are simple enough. She did have a couple of other cradles that she liked different aspects of so I pretty much combined various design details and ideas into one piece. It came out great, but it was used for 2 months and is now in storage.

Rocking horse is next on the list, but they won’t really start playing with it until they are about 2 years old. Our son would climb on his every once and while once he started walking, but never got into it. Now that he is 2 he plays on it for 5-10 minutes at a time before moving on to the next toy.

Good luck.

-- Rich, WNY, www.nyrockingchairs.com

I, too, am a first time grandpaw to be. I am building little Landon a crib and a dresser on which will lay a padded box to use as a changing table.

Congratulations!

-- There are three kinds of people... those who can count, and those who can't

I would suggest a rocking chair. It can always be used regardless of age. Cribs and cradles are only used for a short period.

-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.

Thanks so much guys I think I’ll make a crib, or cradle, a rocking horse and a doll’s house etc I already have made for when the baby get’s older.here they are Alistair

-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease

You are pretty good… those are nice.

-- There are three kinds of people... those who can count, and those who can't

Alistair,
My wife wants me to make my twin grand daughters(2 years old) and my 15 month grand daughter each their own little work bench and wooden hammer with wooden pegs that they can pound in.
They like working in grandpas shop.

-- Garry, Engadine, Michigan (Upper Peninsula)

Alistair,
Other handy pieces of furniture for your grandchild’s room could include a book bin, this is one I made for my daughter and it has come in handy next to a nursing or rocking chair. The other item is a shelf with hanging pegs.

-- Scott, Colorado