I’d like to make two cradle as presents for friends who are going to be first time parents, and would like it be hung in a fashion similar to Sam Maloof’s cradle (see attached jpeg). I’m sure Sam’s cradle swings from the upper joints, but in any event I’d like mine to swing there.
It’s be fairly easy to have this be a wooden joint with dowels going into round holes, but I don’t think that would allow the cradle to swing as easily as a metal joint with bearings of some sort. I’d also like this to be a cradle that could be disassembled at the joint for storage or repair, later.
Any ideas as to hardware for such a joint? Or, should I just go with an all wood joint? (If I do that, I could have a cap on the outside pieces which could be removeable, allowing me to lift out the cradle.)
Thanks in advance.
John
Replies
Forgot the jpeg. Sorry. Can't add it with an edit.
John
John
Take a look at the current issue of Woodwork magazine (April). There's an article about "Lucy's Cradle", a cradle that has been going strong for 20 years. Granted, it's not as elegant as Maloof's but it should give you a starting point.
I am in the process of building a swinging cradle. It isn't finished, and I am well past the deadline (my son was born on Thanksgiving). Since he was born, there have been many other priorities and projects, so I haven't had a chance to finish it. I hope to finish it soon, so if & when child #2 arrives, it will be ready.
I had this same question, and eventually decided on an approach that has not been tested, but I believe will work well. I purchased sintered bronze bearings and stainless steel shafts that will spin smoothly inside the bearings. I plan to bore a hole equal to the OD of the bushing in the support and cradle pivot points, and epoxy the bushings into these holes. I am also planning to install the main stretcher using steel bedrail fasteners. That way, I can line up the bushings and steel pins as I attach the stretcher to the vertical supports with the bedrail fasteners. Since the stretcher in my design curves down at the ends, I am also planning to counterbore a hole in the bottom edge of the stretcher at both ends and driving a small screw into the vertical supports after it is assembled. This is just extra insurance that the cradle cannot be accidentally dismantled, because the screw will "pin" the pieces together and prevent the stretcher from sliding up and allowing the bedrail fasteners to slip apart.
I may also turn a wooden sleeve that will be bored with the OD of the bronze bearings to hide the pivot point between the supports and the cradle. For the Maloof design this probably wouldn't be necessary, because there is no gap between these pieces.
I hope this helps, and let me know if you have any questions.
Craig
Try Pivot Hinges. They are used to make the gliders that you see from time to time, and they are available from any of the catalogs.
I built a cradle just over four years ago when we were expecting our first child. I got it done just in time to have Mom's picture taken in front of it the day before our daughter was born. Now our second daughter has been through the cradle, and it still is the same as day one- very sturdy yet swings smoothly.
Jeff
Rather than a fully-enclosed bearing like you're thinking, have you considered a pivot? Say there were horizontal ears sticking out from the swinging part of the cradle, resting on the stationary part of the cradle. Round the bottom of the ears a little, and the swinging part swings easily. If the bearing surface is kinda like a fork, the ears can't fall off the edge. It is easy to build, involves no metal, and is inexpensive. Also, for disassembly, the swinging part can simply be lifted off the stationary part .
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