bradpotts Posted July 19, 2014 Report Share Posted July 19, 2014 I started to build this crib after I found out that my wife and I are going to have a baby girl in November. My wife's grandpa said he wanted to give us some money for the crib. I said I would much rather build the crib. So that is where the story begins. I drew a sketch. then I made a to scale drawing. Which it looks nothing like. Bought all of the lumber Now I'm ready to start. Because I wanted the slats to have a curve, I decided to cut all of the tenons first. Once I had all of the tenons cut I needed to cut the mortises. Because I don't have a mortiser and I had almost 40 slats I needed a way to cut them relatively quick so I made this jig. From there I cut the shape of the headboard from a template then used a flush trim bit to get it how I wanted it. Here is what she look like. Did some string inlay on the rails. Then my wife said she wanted an inlay. Of course I said okay. Here is what she came up with. This is going to take a while Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradpotts Posted July 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2014 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted July 19, 2014 Report Share Posted July 19, 2014 First and most important, congrats on the upcoming birth! Fantastic job on the build! I'm quite sure it will last thru a couple of children! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted July 19, 2014 Report Share Posted July 19, 2014 Congratulations! And that crib is looking awesome. What material are you using for the pinkish-colored leaf inlay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradpotts Posted July 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2014 Thanks! I am using purple heart for the flowers. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keggers Posted July 19, 2014 Report Share Posted July 19, 2014 Congratulations on the upcoming birth! Your project is a true work of love. Great job so far! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted July 19, 2014 Report Share Posted July 19, 2014 Beautiful inlay work and impressive construction on your crib. It should last for generations ! Sign it and date it plus city and state , the info will be appreciated by your ancestors. Use a finish with UV inhibitors and keep the headboard out of direct sunlight if you want to retain the bright colors of the purpleheart. Regardless of what you use it will darken over the years, it's going to oxidize even under a finish just slower with some protection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradpotts Posted July 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2014 Thanks keggers. Wdwerker, what types of finish have uv inhibitors? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted July 19, 2014 Report Share Posted July 19, 2014 Lots of exterior finishes have UV inhibitors but be careful choosing one. They might not cure hard enough for use on interior furniture. I would check the Material Safety Data sheets on any finish you consider for UV protection and child safe qualities on a fully cured finish. Marine Spar varnish is not a good choice for furniture like a crib ! I usually bounce questions like this off of my finish supplier. He has years of experience and knows his product line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted July 19, 2014 Report Share Posted July 19, 2014 I just did a little Googeling and Minwax makes a water based Version of its Helmsman Urethane finish. I would read the MSDS sheet carefully before using it on a crib, but they list cabinets and countertops as possible places to use it . The solvent based version will add an amber tone to your beautiful inlay work. The water based finish is supposed to be clear. I haven't tried this but it could work. Make a test panel with your scraps and shellac coats then try the finish if you decide it is safe for the crib. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddie Posted July 19, 2014 Report Share Posted July 19, 2014 I would stay away from using exterior finishes on interior pieces, especially children's furniture. Exterior finishes have mildewcides that when inside a home can cause respiratory issues for people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradpotts Posted July 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2014 Thanks for the info and research. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradpotts Posted July 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2014 This is what I found from a 1999 popular woodworking about Purple Heart. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradpotts Posted July 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2014 I also thought this was funny. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradpotts Posted July 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2014 Has anyone ever put armorall under a finish? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatworks Today Posted July 21, 2014 Report Share Posted July 21, 2014 I used Crystalac over stain when I built my daughters crib. Water based and is tested / certified as safe for children's toys. I believe it was the Super Premium I used (spray only) and it is very forgiving to work with. Tough as nails, but it does not have any UV protection. Also, looks best on light colored wood; doesn't do dark much justice. One option would be to use shellac as the base coats to accentuate the wood, then go over with the crystalac for a hard durable surface. Cures water clear Some of their other products are for exterior use, but don't know about use on toys, cribs, etc. It's sold through McFeely's.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradpotts Posted July 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2014 I got quite a bit done in the last two days. Had one full day of working and a couple hours today. Then my scroll saw broke for the second time this project. here is a picture of how the inlay has come so far. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted July 27, 2014 Report Share Posted July 27, 2014 Super job! That's really going to be awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradpotts Posted July 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2014 (edited) ThanksTIODS. Got my scroll saw fixed. A rod I had laying around, a tap and die set from HF and I am back in business tomorrow. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Edited July 27, 2014 by bradpotts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted July 28, 2014 Report Share Posted July 28, 2014 Awesome looking crib Brad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradpotts Posted August 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2014 Thanks cooper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradpotts Posted August 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2014 Got a lot done on the inlay over the last couple weeks. Here is the progress. I still need to put in the yellow-heart center of the flowers. I put paint thinner on it that is why it looks shiny. It is not finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted August 10, 2014 Report Share Posted August 10, 2014 That looks awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradpotts Posted September 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 Thank you wtnhiglander Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradpotts Posted September 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 Finally finished today. Sorry I didn't update as much as I wanted. Ran into a time crunch. My wife wanted it done before the baby shower next weekend. Here she is. I will update with a picture after my wife has it all ready for the baby. A couple things I learned from this project: If you are cutting mirror images for an inlay, glue the two pieces of the wood together with a couple drops of super glue. Cut them out as one then pull them apart. My portal cable scroll saw broke twice during this project. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, even if I didn't like them. Finally, buy the mattress first that seemed to help with all the measurements. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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