Popular Post FlyinFish Posted November 17, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted November 17, 2016 Just had our first, a baby boy. In looking for a bassinet, we couldn't find anything we liked that was under $500, and even those weren't great. The one we did like was one from Land of Nod, http://www.landofnod.com/olin-bassinet/f15551, and Cremona had a video on a very similar one he built. I wasn't quite ready to take on one that complicated and really didn't have the time, so decided to make a similar one. We're big fans of Danish/Scandinavian design and I love the look of exposed ply edges, so got some 3/4" birch for this. The two end faces should probably be 1" for more stability, but this was a perfect cut list for a 5x5 sheet. I considered using Apple Ply, but it was way expensive and very heavy and would have been hard for me to handle in my small shop. The Baltic birch worked out just fine and had reasonable clean edges. Cut the sides and luckily had a 2" forstner bit from another project to do hole patterns instead of slats. A lot faster and has a more playful and modern look. Started with rectangular pieces for the ends and cut the dado slots, then did the angled sides and rocker shaping. It was a bit of a pain since I don't have a band saw, but just used a jigsaw and coping saw and then a ROS and the Ridgid spindle/belt sander. Used a pattern bit on the router to cut out the matching second face. Pretty simple build and love the look. We also could not find a dresser we liked and our tiny bedroom does not have space for a dresser and a changing table. We liked a dresser from IKEA, and just needed to get a changing topper on. I made a simple topper with some cubbies to raise the height and then a changing tray on top. Used 1/2" birch ply for these and dadoes all around. Can maybe make simple drawers/bins later, or get soft sided ones, or just leave it the way it is. Attached the three pieces using little L-brackets with recessed slots for them. I struggled a lot with how to finish these. I didn't want any yellowing as we like the look of the birch as-is. I don't have a sprayer setup, and it seemed like all the best ways to get the desired finish required a sprayer. I tried some spray can options and it just did not work out well. I decided to leave them unfinished. I know, crazy, but I'm sort of okay with that. The bassinet is only for the first 3 months or so, and it really won't get dirty. The changing topper is of course at high risk for getting natural staining, but I figure I can always sand that out or just end up painting it. It won't be on there for many years, so not too worried about it. These were some really fun, simple, and quick projects to add custom touches to our room remodel and to welcome the kid home. Gave me some satisfaction and distraction without having a massive build on my hands with the clock ticking and the kid ready to arrive. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 17, 2016 Report Share Posted November 17, 2016 Looks good. People always want to build heirloom baby furniture, but I like your approach. As a father of 3, I know for a fact that they outgrow everything quickly. GF high performance is a waterbase acrylic and can be brushed. It won't yellow much at all. You could also use superblonde shellac. It will amber slightly, but nothing like a polyurethane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted November 17, 2016 Report Share Posted November 17, 2016 Looks nice and congrats on the boy . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneymack Posted November 17, 2016 Report Share Posted November 17, 2016 Very nice design and well executed. I would be concerned having my baby sleeping in a plywood built basinet though. All the formaldehyde glues in the ply can't be good for baby. I'm sure it must off gas for a long time. I could be off, I just wouldn't take a chance. Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JosephThomas Posted November 17, 2016 Report Share Posted November 17, 2016 Even Baltic birch ply? I thought that stuff was better... Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted November 17, 2016 Report Share Posted November 17, 2016 I dont believe he should burn it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted November 18, 2016 Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 Looks nice. Trying to find decent furniture for our kids is what got me into woodworking way back in... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted November 18, 2016 Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 Congrats to you and your wife! I think you have taken the most practical approach to home-built baby furniture I have seen. It is a nice design, and appears to be a very clean execution, too. Personally, I would put some sort of finish on it, just as a barrier between brand new human and manufactured wood product. You're probably ok, but who wants to take chances with a kid? The shellac option dries quickly, doesn't smell too bad, and is non-toxic, at least if you mix from flakes, and especially if you use drinking alcohol as a solvent. I'm not sure what residue the additives in pre-mixed shellac or denatured alcohol may leave behind. But in any case, he WILL be gnawing on it before long, so be prepared! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyinFish Posted November 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2016 Thanks guys. And thanks for the finish tips. Those were basically the things I was considering, but just didn't want to screw it up or have it yellow. Now that I have a bit more time, I'll do some test pieces and then try to get a finish on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted November 24, 2016 Report Share Posted November 24, 2016 Water based finishes will be the clearest and possibly the least toxic too. Baltic has far less (if any ) formaldehyde. MDF and particle board are full of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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