Project: Doll Cradles (with Anastasiya)

[Allen Grimes]

Yesterday... http://a-j-adopt.blogspot.com

Wow Jim, I didnt know that you adopted her and her sister. Adoption to me is one of the greatest things people can do, I applaud you and your wife. I now hold you in a much higher respect.

Also great job on the project. One question, was that the same design as you saw at the toy store or is it your own?

[Pete Harbin]

Well done all around Dad! Especially in teaching them to think and do for themselves. You are already preparing them to excel past 90% of their peers by instilling a sense of work ethic and appreciation for knowledge, and in the years to come they will love Daddy even more for it. Way to go!

Pete

PS...oh yeah, nice cradles too!

[lloyd morris]

Jim,

The last picture with Nastia's arms open wide and the two cradles in front of her are the best. She seems so proud and happy and joyous! They are lucky little girls to have you guys as parents.

A quick question about your Festool Saw, Guide and Table. It appears as if you are cutting on the table itself but the surface does not look like the saw is scoring or cutting the top.

Does the workpiece actually sit up off the table somehow or do you cut into the top with each pass of the saw?

Thanks,

Lloyd

[Phil Dahlquist]

Great project Jim. I really like the contrasting birch and walnut. You've also made me feel less guilty about using pocket screws on my recent doll bed project.

[Jason Tuinstra]

Jim, great set of pictures as you take us through this father-daughter moment in the shop. I'm glad to see you making it all about family. Great job on both fronts!

[Jeff Sudmeier]

Jim, this is really great! I am sure you just love that she was able to help you in the shop! I can't wait until my daughter can

[Michael Stafford]

That picture of Nastia acknowledging the crowd would indicate that she is not shy. Do I detect a flamboyant gene? How cute! I had three little sisters and I remember those days well. When all my nieces were little I made them all doll cradles. They are grown now but they all still have them and display them as prized objects. Wonderful Jim!

[Jim Becker]

One question, was that the same design as you saw at the toy store or is it your own?

Um....I "visualized" it while sipping my latte that morning and just started cutting away after scribbling out the two templates shown in the first picture. I didn't want it to look like a box, however, so the ends are canted out 5 degrees as are the sides. That was pretty simple to do without going crazy as it only required a few simple setups on the TS and CMS.

These cradles will actually look a lot better once there is a finish on them, especially the walnut. But that will have to wait until warm weather at this point.

A quick question about your Festool Saw, Guide and Table. It appears as if you are cutting on the table itself but the surface does not look like the saw is scoring or cutting the top.

Does the workpiece actually sit up off the table somehow or do you cut into the top with each pass of the saw?

The saw depth of cut is adjusted so it just scores the table top...which in effect, makes for zero clearance on the bottom. It also serves as an additional layout mark for where the cut will be at the bottom and is directly in-line with the edge of the guide. The saw always moves exactly in the same place, so there is only one score across the top. The guide is at exactly 90 degrees from the fence so material against the fence will be cut exactly perpendicular to the edge. The cuts I made to knock of the angles on the sides of the cradle ends were done "free hand" with the edge of the guide just placed along the cut line. The Festool guides are non-slip and hold the workpiece in place quite nicely.
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Thanks everyone for your kind comments. They are appreciated.

[Allen Grimes]

Um....I "visualized" it while sipping my latte that morning and just started cutting away after scribbling out the two templates shown in the first picture. I didn't want it to look like a box, however, so the ends are canted out 5 degrees as are the sides. That was pretty simple to do without going crazy as it only required a few simple setups on the TS and CMS.

These cradles will actually look a lot better once there is a finish on them, especially the walnut. But that will have to wait until warm weather at this point.

Jim, the reason why I asked is because most kids (at least the ones I know) arent happy unless they get exactly what they saw at the toystore and she looks pretty happy judging by the last pictures.

Anyway, good job. I cant wait for my son to be old enough that I can take him into the shop to work on small projects with me.

[Peter Pedisich]

Jim,

Great pictures, your daughter will have these memories with her dad always. I still remember clearly when my dad helped me make projects in the garage or basement, it's part of who I am today.
My little boy is just 3 and I can't wait until he's old enough to work on some simple projects.

Great job on the cradles!

Pete

[Martin Shupe]

Jim,

Once again, you have proved that you have the "right stuff" to be an outstanding father. Keep us posted on your family's progress. It will be a delight watching the girls grow up.

For those of you who have not read Jim and Alison's blog, it is well worth your time.

[Ron Fritz]

Jim; thanks for sharing the pictures. What a fantastic opportunity you had to share the experience with your daughter. I'm sure she won't forget. Now you've given me the bug to build a doll cradle for my granddaughter. Ron

[Jim Becker]

Now you've given me the bug to build a doll cradle for my granddaughter. Ron

Do it, Ron. Projects like this can be quite enjoyable and due to their scale, can either fill the gaps between larger projects as well as give you opportunity to complete something when your time is constrained.

[lou sansone]

nice job jim..

I have found that with teaching youngsters that you can sort of double their age ( 2x10 = 20 minutes , for instance ) and that is about the normal attention span for them. Obviously each kid is different, and the younger they are the closer to age = attention span time. I would say that by 12 many kids will do fine with small projects done in installments.

the cradles are very nicely designed - I also think the the concept of "we wont buy that thing, but we could make it back in the shop is great"

lou

[Jim Becker]

That's about right, Lou...it took about 20 minutes to do the final assembly that Nastia was involved in and that was about her limit...which is why we didn't pursue finishing them right now.