Special project, need help with sources

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Daniel

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Jan 1, 2004
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Reno, NV, USA.
I am going to be a Granpa.
In light of that I have decided I want to make my Grand Baby a Crib.
this leads to the purpose of this thread.
I know there are a lot of design limits that have to do with safety when it comes to making a crib. what I do not know is exactly what they are.
I know a couple have to do with the spacing of any rods on the crib and another has to do with any space between the sides of the crib and the mattress. I will not waste time on the issues like non lead paint. If I did not know of those I really have no business thinking about making one. but the max distance for stiles etc is not a figure I carry around in my head.
if anyone has information or even plans for them i would appreciate being pointed in the right direction. I have just started in my search and have not really even started designing. so if you have seen features in the past that you think are a good idea. please let me know.
I will also be looking for sources for hardware etc such as the rods that allow the sides to be dropped down etc.
I do expect to just scavenge parts form another crib for things like the mattress and springs but the more that can be designed in to it with out traditional hardware the better for me. dowel pins inserted in a dado for example would be better in my mind than the sides of the crib going up and down on a steel rod.
I will also be looking for ideas on the very basic design. how should the ends look. ideas for the top of the head and foot, actual shape of the stiles and all. My Daughter will be helping a lot on the final selection of those but having a selection of ideas is a good thing. My daughters taste is much flashier than mine so some of you long time turners can have a ball with this one.
I am also a carver and sculptor. I am not sure I woudl have time but would love to hand carve a cherub to place on the foot panel of the crib. sort of a relief Plaque sort of thing. Intarsia comes to mind. so that gives all of you that have a knack for that sort fo thing somehting to think about. the Cherub idea is from Grandpa so ideas are limited to baby angels. otherwise lots of ideas to prime my pump are helpful.
It needs to be movable but built so that my grandchildren will use it for their children.
Anyway my first stop was to the people that come up with answers the fastest

Thaks ahead of time. and by the way I only have about 6 moths to get it done.
 
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I believe that 4 inches in the maximum spacing that is allowed. I know that is the maximum spacing in the building codes for decks and stairways. This is sized so that a baby cannot get its head through the slats. Good luck on your project.
 
http://www.woodzone.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=961626&Category_Code=CCP
Crib plans you can purchase for about 10.00
or
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=917
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=1407
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=10727
has the plans and all the hardware parts you need for a price which to me would be well worth it. Ive purchased plans and hardware kits from Miesel and they are very well drawn out and also purchasing the hardware kits made my projects a breeze to complete.
 
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You could always go to WalMart or another place that sells cribs and do a rough measurement. This would also give you an idea on how to solve some of your other problems like spacing between the mattress and the frame.
 
I know with ours, there was barely enough room to get the mattress in there. You had to remove the mattress just to put a sheet on it.

Also, keep in mind that most kids, when they're tall enough, will chew on the top side of the crib.
 
Skye, One plan that I saw today actually had a rail along the top and they called it the Teething rail. so far my favorites, knowing my daughter, are the Sleigh designs. I will get on the net tonight and take her around to some stores this weekend and just what what makes her eyes light up.
I agree that the hardware kits are well worth it. I don't think I could get a used crib for the price of the hardware kit.
Thanks for all the links so far I will have time this evening to start looking through them.
My little girl is not much of a shop rat, never has been, but I am hoping that this will be a project we can do together. it will give us some special time together in the next few months. She is more the type to be picking out the sheets and blankets than in the shop though.
 
When my nieces were born my dad made them each a crib we got the plans off of ebay for about 14.00 I think very nice plans it goes from a crib to a toddler bed to a twin or single bed I cant remember what one if you would like let me know and I will see if my dad still has them and see if maybe I cant get a copy or at least see where he got them from.
 
:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:CONGRATULATIONS:cool::cool::cool:

I hope you have as much fun with the crib as I had with the cradle I made!
 
very nice plans it goes from a crib to a toddler bed to a twin or single bed I cant remember what one if you would like let me know and I will see if my dad still has them and see if maybe I cant get a copy or at least see where he got them from.
I've seen several of these in just the little bit of searching I have been able to do. they are called transitional cribs. and just keep growing with the child. I really like that idea but not sure how many extra parts need to be made to actually go from crib to single bed.
 
Remember that if the measurement between spindles is 4 inches, that means 4 inches from the furthest inside of each spindle. For example, If you used a dowel, each dowel would be 4" apart. Now, lets say you spun a dowel to look like a woman. You have a neck and you have a waist...this is just for ease of explanation. The distance between dowels would be measured from neck to neck and waist to waist, not from hip to hip. So the actual dowel might only be 2" apart where it mortises into the crib rail. This is very important. The waist like profile is where the kids head can get stuck and as he/she tires, the head goes down and the "hips" profile chokes the kid to death just like a sleeper hold on the main neck artery.
 
Can't share any crib plans, but I can tell you that having a grandchild is the key to personal revitalization. Life takes on a whole new meaning when you become a grandparent and it's SOOOOOOO much easier than being a parent. My grandson, who will be 4 in April, has given me a new lease on life. If your grandchild is going to be at a distance (mine is 2,000 miles away), get a Google email account and a web camera for your computer. Google chat, and it's predecessor, iChat on a Mac, has made all the difference in the world -- I talk with my grandson every day, and it's the greatest blessing in my life.

PS -- my wife's pretty tickled, too!

Congratulations, friend.
Doug
 
Congrats man.I have never built a crib so I cannot add any good info.Hope you come up with something good.Be sure to show us a pic of it.I would like to see it.
 

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Well I was right, after looking at a lot of cribs my daughter settled on two designs. a sleigh design in Cherry or a Sleigh design in cherry.
No she has never been a low cost kid. lets just say about the only way a crib could be higher priced is if it had gold leaf in it. oh well at least I can make it for far less than the $800 sticker price for the fake cherry one.

I now need to try and fine plans that are at least close to what she saw on the floor. I am also trying to get an idea of what the lumber will cost. so for anyone that has made a crib or planned one. do you remember roughly how many board feet of lumber was involved.
 
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