My absence excuse: Baby's crib

[GaryMGg]

For the last 6 weekends, my woodworking time has been diverted from turning to a project for the daughter of my wife's lifelong friends.
The crib is a gift to the family. The crib is constructed so that when TJ outgrows it, it'll convert to a toddler bed.
Being wheel-chair bound creates all manner of special requirements for a baby crib.

It's not just functional, it's pretty too. Ribbon Sapelle and tiger maple:

For anyone interested, the in-process pics are online at:
Picasa Web Albums - Gary - Alyssa's Crib

I'll be able to focus on ServicePens again now that this love offering is complete and delivered.

 

[Boz]

Very nice work. What finish did you use on the maple? I have been asked by my daughter to make a bed room set for my grandson for when he grows out of his crib. I will be using maple and I don't expect him to be chewing on it I have noticed that there are finishes out there that are non toxic if he does. I like the look of polyurethane on maple as it gives it a very clean look.

 

[PWL]

Gary
The work and the thought that went into the building of the crib are both outstanding!!!!

Paul

 

[Rick_G]

Nice work Gary, I like the idea of it being convertible. Made a cradle for one of my grandaughters a few years ago and another that will likely need one in a few years, I'll keep this idea in mind when I go hunting for plans.

 

[Ed McDonnell]

Very nice Gary. I had looked at the picture before reading your writeup and was wondering about the front access. After reading your last sentence it all made sense. What a great design and thoughtful gift.

That tiger maple is just beautiful. The fit and finish on the whole project looks great. Thanks for sharing your work.

Ed

 

[GaryMGg]

Thank you.

Boz, the crib is finished with several coats of dewaxed amber shellac followed by Cabot's Semi-gloss polyurethane.
The shellac warmed the tones, popped the grain and prevents blotching which is a problem with finishing maple.

Funny sidebar: While my wife was doing the finishing--which she's never done before--the tiger maple gave her a lot of unnecessary worry.
She thought she'd created a bunch of runs in the finish

 

[markgum]

great work and and wonderful gift that will be appreciated for many years.

 

[TellicoTurning]

That is one fine crib... I could have used one like that when my son was little... I could have put a top on it, locked the gates and he wouldn't have climbed out....

I really like your choice of wood... that is beautiful.

 

[GaryMGg]

Thank you. The photos included don't really do the wood justice.
Here's a gratuitous shot of the sapelle and maple wet with DNA to show off the grain:

 

[PaulDoug]

Really great crib. Real craftsmanship.

 

[ironman123]

Gary, that is a beautiful and well designed crib. The workmanship you put forth has reaped a wonderful gift that is appreciated by the family and will surly last for generations.

Ray