Replies

1. 
   RMillard | May 24, 2004 12:07pm | #1

   Shellac will give an excellent look, and is safe when dry. You could also use some of the Tried and True Danish oil(which is also safe) to enhance the grain, and then go over that with the shellac.

   Rob Millard

1. 
   jroy | May 24, 2004 04:07pm | #2

   I used blonde shellac for a shaker blanket chest made of cherry and it came out really well, not that difficult to finish, and with a coat of wax it brings out the beauty of the cherry....on a shaker clock i did i used tung oil with a coat of varnish over it, i think the finish looks alittle nicier on the clock then the chest (but the clock has had two more years to develop its patinia)

2. 
   HowardAcheson | May 24, 2004 05:35pm | #3

   Eric, all modern finishes are required to be non-toxic when cured. So, you can use anything you want as long as you give it time to fully cure.

   That said, babies of the size of new borns will not be chewing on a cradle. When you make the crib, finish choice is more important as some finishes do not stand up to "baby liquids" or cleaning products.

   Howie.........
3. 
   ETG | May 24, 2004 05:55pm | #4

   My first child and her cradle were the first "real furniture" I made.  I used cherry with dado/rabbet joinery in my in-laws damp basement.  I used a cherry stain which worked fine with a danish oil finish.  We used a simple plywood base for the small mattress and standard cloth/foam bumpers around the perimeter.  All 3 of our daughters used the cradle for about 3 to 4 months old when they moved to a larger infants bed with sides.

   The only thing I would have done differently is to not stain the cherry - its natual mellowing will take care of the coloring quickly.  The danish oil workes fine; I tend to used heated Tried & True finish more now - similar to what Thos Moser uses on his furnitur line.

   Don't forget to sign the cradle - ours has been used by our children, friend and relatives so it is very popular!