Replies

1. 
   Tinkerer3 | Dec 14, 2007 07:15am | #1

   Well, I was much too busy building a grandfather clock to build a cradle for my kids but I embarassingly did try my luck building one for my first grandchild.   I made the mistake of putting in biscuits while gluing the boards together, not thinking that they would show when I cut out the pattern and then, in the little curly cues, I cut down to an angle instead of leaving a radius that would fit the roundover bit.  Not sorry I built it as I did learn some things.  Just wish I had learned them a little sooner.

   If you build a good one, it should be a good show piece long after the baby has outgrown it, but let me warn you, the child won't use it very long.  If you want to build something practical, I think a crib would fill that bill much better as the child could use it for a much longer time.

   The name doesn't come to me, but I think I got a pattern from that tool company from Minnesota. 

1. 
   Stoekadoe | Dec 14, 2007 10:27pm | #2

   Thank you for sharing your "lesson learned", I can imagine that you were not pleased that day. But I will keep it in mind when working on the cradle.:)

   You are right, they won't use it for long. I guess it is one of those things that you want to build, even if it is only used for a day...:D But I may come to my senses while building the cradle. I am just so happy..:)

   I planned to build a crib in the thirst months that the baby is there, or any sooner if the cradle is already finished. We will see how it goes. If things get bad, I can always buy a crib.:)

   Stoekadoe.

2. 
   mvflaim | Dec 14, 2007 11:20pm | #3

   Here's a cradle/ bassinet I made for my buddy when he was expecting his first kid.

    

   View Image

    

    

    

1. 
   Tinkerer3 | Dec 15, 2007 02:46am | #6

   Wow, that's got to be one of the few times, I've heard of, when a buddy was expecting!  That is a beautiful piece of furniture, though.

1. 
   mvflaim | Dec 15, 2007 06:21am | #8

   Thanks. I got the plans from an old Wood magazine issue. Don't know if Wood still has the plans available online. 

1. 
   saschafer | Dec 15, 2007 06:29am | #9

   It looks like this is the one: http://woodstore.net/pendulumcradle.html

   -Steve

    

3. 
   user-1119429039 | Dec 14, 2007 11:22pm | #4

   Check Taunton's plan store. You can purchase plans for a cradle, a high chair, child-sized dresser, and more.

   End of shameless commercial plug. You may also want to go to the "projects" area of FineWoodworking.Com and search for projects by type.

   And congratulations!

   David Heim
   Managing Editor
   FineWoodworking.Com

4. 
   gj13 | Dec 15, 2007 12:48am | #5

   Just a thought......most cradles rock side to side but somewhere it's been written that cradles should rock to and fro, like a rocking chair.  To and fro is a more natural movement, and the one infants are accustomed to from the walking motions of their mothers.   Just a thought.

5. 
   JKling | Dec 15, 2007 03:10am | #7

   Congratulations on the coming child! When we were expecting our first (a daughter as she turned out to be) I built her a swinging cradle. We also used it later when my son came along. By the time he was done with it, my daughter was old enough for dolls and it was used again for them. Since then it's housed stuffed animals, more dolls, and even some power rangers I think. One point of advice, when you build it, make sure it's plenty strong because sometimes the kids have been known to join the dolls or stuffed animals for a nap long after they're really outgrown it.