Maple & Walnut Heirloom Baby Cradle

[Dewayne Baker]

I have just completed this cradle made from maple and walnut. The cradle is the second I have made from the same plan. We are expecting twin girls in October so we decided on two cradles rather than one big one. More heirlooms to pass down this way :D. The plan originates from a December 1986 issue of Woodsmith magazine. I altered the plan to accommodate a standard 18”x36” cradle mattress. In the original plan they used a piece of foam covered with a pillow case as the mattress. We did not like this idea but loved the design. I don’t have a lathe so I made slats for the sides instead of spindles. The knobs where shaped using a jig at the router table and bit of turning at the drill press. The knock down design makes for easy storage for future generations.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-3/1154214/cradlemaplewaln00005alt.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-3/1154214/cradlemaplewaln00016alt.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-3/1154214/cradlemaplewaln00018alt.jpg


When I purchased the stock for this project I couldn't’t resist picking up a stick of tiger maple. I incorporated the figured maple in the basket side frames. This is a really fun project and I enjoyed building it just as much the second time as I did the first. The finish is 1 coat of shellac 1# cut followed by two coats of oil and varnish mix and a coat of furniture wax.
Thanks for looking, questions and comments are always welcome.

[mreza Salav]

That looks fantastic! I liked it very much, both the combination of the wood color as well as the construction are looking great!

[Frank Drew]

Terrific job, Dewayne, and I absolutely love the figure in that maple; up close it probably looks three dimensional.

[Andy Casiello]

That is really beautiful work. I just finished staring at the pictures - just stunning. Great work, and thank you for sharing the pictures!

edit: Oh, and congratulations on your upcoming twins!

[gary Zimmel]

Great job on the cradle Dewayne. I like how you used slats rather than round spindles.
The tiger maple sure sets the sides off.
Thanks for sharing.

[Lon LeBlanc]

Gorgeous!

I guess I'm putting all my tools on CL today. There's no hope! :D

Lon

[Ed Sallee]

That is one beautiful piece! Please post or re-post the first one..... and then together..... and then with the twins!
Can't get enough of this one!
:cool:

[mark page]

You have my vote of approval. They are great. Something like this is on my "LONG" term things to do list. I am not ready to be a grandpa just yet and don't want to plant any ideas about it just yet. I will definately keep a photocopy of your design.
Thanks for sharing.

[Richard Wolf]

Very nicely done.

Richard

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Beautifully done! I can't wait to see both cradles together with the future occupants!

[Jerry Olexa]

Great job!!! Nicely done...You should be very proud.

[Bruce Page]

Beautifully done Dewayne! I made the same cradle out of maple & cherry, for my daughter’s first. So far, it has had a total of three grandkids through it. I like the clean look of the slats; they’ll be easier to dust too!

[Don C Peterson]

Congratulations, and great work on the crib. That is simply beautiful.

[Mike Heidrick]

Love them. Get started on the cribs now though - they are not in cradles very long! Will the finish hold up to the LONG storage??

[Jim Becker]

That is SO pretty! Nice work!

[Tom Hamilton]

That is a wonderful piece. I hope you signed and dated for the future generations to ponder what you did way back in 2008.

Great work, thanks for sharing the pics,

Tom, in Houston, thinking about those grandkids telling their children about how Grandfather made this cradle.

[Andy Livingston]

I keep coming back to stare at this one. Wow, that's stunning! I love the wood contrasts! Fantastic work!!!

[Dewayne Baker]

Thank you all for the comments and complements.


Will the finish hold up to the LONG storage??

I'm not sure yet. The oil and varnish is easily renewable so if needed I'll just wipe on a coat or two. The Girls are due in 6 weeks and I just don't have time to build everything so I will not be building a crib. I will be building a second changing table and plan to start on it next weekend. I have posted a pic of the first cradle I built nearly three years ago for our Son below. Choice of woods was Qsawn white oak and purpleheart. I wonder which one they will favor when they use them for my grand children.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-12/1115451/JDGZH-Cradleprogress024.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-12/1115451/MSMDH-Cradleprogress025.jpg

[Brent Ring]

Beautiful work and nice craftsmanship. Heirlooms for years to come!

[John Thompson]

I almost missed this as I have been busy.... and that would have been a shame. I absolutely love it...

Sarge..

[John Keeton]

I have been out of town for a few days and nearly missed this one as well! Very fine work - and my favorite combination of woods.

[Robert LaPlaca]

Very nice, congratulations

[Jeffrey Makiel]

Well done!
-Jeff :)

[David Liles]

I have to keep coming back to this thread because that cradle is exactly what I am getting ready to build.
I have made raised panel doors before, but never any that have arched top rails. The way I am thinking of doing it is to make a door as if it was a standard rectangular door (with the inside of the top rail being arched), and then trim away the waste so that it will then take the desired shape. My only issue is that there would be a lot of waste...How did you machine the doors?

Any tips would be appreciated!

Thank you,