Replies

1. 
   notDusty | Sep 11, 2003 03:53am | #1

           Chipper ,         First off , congratulations,as far as the paint grade material that will " survive " try what we call Soft Maple or  Brown Maple , I have even bought it as Silver Maple.It is harder than Alder  or Poplar and generally paints up nicely . Also the price is  close to  Alders .          Good Luck

1. 
   Kevin | Sep 11, 2003 05:56pm | #8

   Chipper ,         First off , congratulations,as far as the paint grade material that will " survive " try what we call Soft Maple or  Brown Maple , I have even bought it as Silver Maple.It is harder than Alder  or Poplar and generally paints up nicely . Also the price is  close to  Alders . 

   That sounds like Western Maple. It is browner than any of the other Maples I've seen. There's an even softer Maple indiginous to the Northeast and Southeastern Canada, I'm told. But, it's much whiter than Western Maple. Last I knew, Western Maple was selling for around the same price as Alder. So, that's probably what you're referring to. I work with it fairly often and it is indeed a harder wood than Alder, which I have also worked with a lot in the past. A good choice for durability concerns IMO.

   Regards,

   Kevin

1. 
   notDusty | Sep 11, 2003 06:33pm | #10

           Hey Kevin ,         Western Maple is not the same species as soft Maple to my knowledge the soft is an Eastern specie. Western Maple has been a highly under utilized wood for many years , it seems to have more beautiful figure and grain than that of the Soft Maple types and it would be borderline sinful to paint over it IMHO.               dusty

2. 
   Steinmetz | Sep 11, 2003 04:17am | #2

   Chipper, careful with paint. Kids chew on soft wood and paint. Maple sounds like a good choice. Try to procure those plastic rail caps before you construct the rails (So they'll fit)

   Space the vertical rails so that 'Chip' off Chipper's ole block, doesn't get his/her block stuck. Stein 

   Bright colored stain comes to mind. ED. Or, Decals?

   
   

   ---

   Edited 9/10/2003 9:18:54 PM ET by steinmetz

1. 
   ChippingWood | Sep 11, 2003 07:20pm | #11

   Thanks everyone! I never really thought about it- cuz' having my first kid is a huge reality shift anyway- but I never considered the GRAND kids angle. Oh, this is good. Okay- I'm going back to the table and play a few more cards. The Shellac idea is now my official fall back idea. If she doesn't think they look great at that point she can paint them while I go... er, cry? LOL

   Anyway as for the cost it is crazy. I live in San Diego and I'm beginning to think all the wood here comes from the other side of the country. Here are the three different places I got prices from (asked for the price on 4/4- s2s most likely... never seen rough lumber here).

   Yard #                1              2             3

   Soft Maple       $4.90       $2.69      $5.13

   QS White Oak  $6.54      $4.60      $7.69

   So some of you might actually see this mystical thing they call snow every year- but I guess I pay the "no snow" TAX. Hehehe, anyway all the crib safety features- Apparently the "new" thing is to build a solid crib (no dropping front side) and the mattress moves down to different heights depending on the age of the child. The $1600 model actually had hydraulic pistons. But, all of them had metal spring platform that the mattress rested on. Can anyone think of a reason why a wooden slat platform wouldn't be a good idea?

   Hey- and thanks everyone! I'm still a little in shock even though I knew all this was coming. Little kids! I only have to fit the arms on the rocking chair I made... and THAT one is QS white oak!

1. 
   jazzdogg | Sep 11, 2003 08:30pm | #12

   Chipper,

   I also live in San Diego. If you're not already, you might want to consider becoming a member of SDFWA (San Diego Fine Woodworkers' Association). We have about 1,600 members who enjoy discounts at about 30 local businesses including wood merchants (you'll meet some terrific folks and might learn about some new sources for material). BTW, I'm not on the board or anything - just a VERY satisfied member.

   In addition to the big merchants, you might want to look at TH&H (The Hardwood & Hardware) in Miramar area; they usually have a very good selection of hardwoods at reasonable prices. Cut & Dried Hardwoods, in Solana Beach, also has a good selection. I'm taking any classes at Palomar college, and they have an urban woods program through which they mill and kiln dry trees that would otherwise go into landfills or become firewood. If you're enrolled in classes there, you're eligible to partake, and their prices are very reasonable.

   Good luck,Paul

2. 
   DougF | Sep 12, 2003 05:08pm | #14

   Clipper

   No drop rail may be "new," but I suspect that if you ask any mom about the increased effort to change the child without a drop rail, you may get some heated discussion.  However,if that is the way you want to go, consider building a matching lightweight changing station that fits on the end of the crib and easily removed when not needed.  That way the baby can be lifted from the crib and changed without a great strain on the back.

   Regarding the mattress frame, there is no reason not to build it although you can buy the frame and crib rail hardware through a number of internet sources for about $80.  I used two different plans for the cribs and each used a different drop rail hardware kit.  If you really want to see some great ideas for cribs, do a google search.  I would also recommend looking at the Stokke site.  They have some great children furniture concepts.  Another thought is the "convertible" concept of converting the crib to a toddler bed at some point.  Some plans have a 3 in 1 design that advances the crib to a toddler bed and finally to a double bed.

   In any event, if you design your own crib, please pay attention to the Federal Safety guidelines regarding the spacing between the slats.  Also, the inside demensions are important unless you intend to to have a custom made crib mattress.    

   Regardless of the cost of the wood, it pales when compared to the joy you will receive for building something from the heart.

   Doug

3. 
   johnhardy | Sep 13, 2003 03:22am | #15

   I just finished two rocking cradles for friends. Both are identical, and are finished totally without stain. I used Maloof oil, and they're gorgeous. To get some an interesting look, I used curly maple. And to make it even more interesting, I resawed the maple and then glued it back together with a 1/8th inch piece of walnut in the middle. This gives some nice "color" without having paint being used.

   I also agree with the poster who suggested using color in blankets (quilts in my case, as my wife is from Kentucky and is an avid quilter), rugs, paint on the walls and ceiling, mobiles, etc. All of those things can be changed to provide a different look later.

   To me, the interesting wood will draw the baby's attention and interest, much more than simple paint would. A baby, I think, would find the grain patterns interesting, as well as the color that the wood gives off.

   Oh, and congrats on the upcoming event. My first grandchild is now 14 months old and I can tell you that it only gets better with time. I'm still waiting for my first girl. After two boys, the first grandchild was also a boy. The order for a girl is still waiting to be filled ... :)

   John

1. 
   ChippingWood | Sep 13, 2003 03:39am | #16

   John-

   Thanks for the advice. I like the idea of the contrasting "stripes"! Can you tell me if you did a drop gate or a solid cradle? I've worked out how to make a solid cradle that converts in to a kids bed and finally in to a double bed. But... I'm still a little unsure about the drop gate. And there has been some good reasons on this thread to HAVE a drop gate... but it just seems, uh, like it would be kind of wobbly.

   Grandkids.. wow. Guess I'll get there some day! :)

1. 
   johnhardy | Sep 13, 2003 04:08am | #17

   What I built was a pure rocking cradle, much smaller than a crib. The wee ones will need to be moved from the cradle before 4 months because once they start to sit up the cradle will be far too dangerous. Read this as they're liable to fall out. If you're interested in dimensions I can give them to you in another post. Edit -- since they're a pure cradle, the sides are solid and do not drop.

   The idea here was to have something that could be moved from room to room, if need be, where the baby could sleep, and rocked if need be, and the adult could do something else. Of course, the cradle was probably in the master bedroom for the first month or two, at night, to make things simpler.

   I'll remind my son to send the digital pictures and will post them in the Gallery when I receive them. The walnut "stripe" worked out quite well, in my opinion.

   John

   Edited 9/12/2003 9:08:54 PM ET by johnhardy

2. 
   PlaneWood | Sep 14, 2003 01:54am | #18

   I find wood selection to be a highly personal preference thing.  I love the combination of Black Walnut and Cherry.  But, the wife does not!

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood

3. 
   DougF | Sep 15, 2003 04:11pm | #19

   Chipper,

   Drop rails do make the crib unstable.  The drop rail hardware plus the mattress frame provide the rigidity necessary to make a very stable structure.  Also, depending on the wood and design, custom-crafted cribs cribs are heavier providing even greater strength and stability.  

   Doug

4. 
   DougF | Sep 15, 2003 04:20pm | #20

   Chipper,

   I didn't proof the last post very well.  The first sentence should read that drop rails do NOT make the crib unstable.

   Doug

3. 
   nannie4annie | Sep 11, 2003 04:17am | #3

   Congats on the household expansion in the oven.   Popular is a great inexpensive wood ( $1.60  ) per board foot in SC and the soft maple is also a great choice ( $2.00 ) per board foot paint grade. My wife makes me paint most of my projects for her also so I understand where your coming from.

4. 
   DavidxDoud | Sep 11, 2003 04:26am | #4

   well,  you could still build them from the oak... - - give them a coat of shellac and then paint - then when you have grandkids,  a short session with paint stripper will result in your craftman style heirlooms...

1. 
   Biscardi | Sep 11, 2003 05:28am | #5

   Milk paint over poplar. Milk paint looks pretty cool. Mike Dunbar wrote an article  couple of years ago about it in FWW.It should be non-toxic.

   Frank

2. 
   Kevin | Sep 11, 2003 05:58pm | #9

   That's a great idea, David! The shellac would serve to keep the paint out of the wood pores, leaving a relatively easy and simply refinish job for a nicer non-paint finish down the road.

   Regards,

   Kevin

5. 
   adair | Sep 11, 2003 02:25pm | #6

   Chipper......great news.....you will fun.....I have four Grandkids, and it's like starting over without the late nights.

   I agree with your wife on bright colours...."BUT" not the wood...colours can be added to a room through rugs, blankets, mobiles, wall hangings, pictures,pillows, trim around the walls, etc, etc.The best part is you can change the colour anytime you want by changing rugs, blankets..etc.

   Your day for Gandkids will come.......be nice to pass on the furniture you made for their parents....."NOT PAINTED"

6. 
   DougF | Sep 11, 2003 04:11pm | #7

   Chipper,

   In the past year I have been privileged to build two cribs and two chest of drawers for new grandchildren.  In both cases the moms wanted "bright" colors and I compromised by saying I would build them as heirlooms and if they then wanted to paint them, I would be happy to help.  I used hard maple with natural finishes.  Needless to say, once the pieces were finished and in the nursery, neither mom would consider painting them.

   If you are stuck with paint, I would also recommend soft maple.  It is a great furniture-grade wood, easy to work and sufficiently durable for the little ones.  It is also more dimensionally stable than poplar or alder.

   I can't explain the feeling about building these pieces for a new generation and, hopefully, for future generations.  But when you're finished, you'll know what I mean.

   Doug

7. 
   ChasStanford | Sep 11, 2003 09:02pm | #13

   Use Poplar, the king of all paint-grade species.