Build a crib for the new addition to your family.
Of the hundreds of items a family needs for a new baby, a crib can be the most expensive. Embark on a true labor of love by building your own baby crib at home. Not only will you be able to save money for other important items, you'll also enjoy the feeling of accomplishment that comes with providing something that is needed for your baby.
Instructions
1. Smooth the wood that will be used for corner posts, rails and slats/spindles with a bench-top planer to make it smooth to a baby's touch. There should be no cracks, splinters or rough edges that could hurt a baby.
2. Measure and cut two pieces of the 1-inch by 3-inch oak 53-1/2-inches long from the 7-foot pieces. Measure and cut two pieces 28-inches long. The inside dimensions of a full-sized crib should be 28-inches by 52-inches. At the same time, measure, mark and cut two pieces of 3/4-inch trim 52-inches long that will support the mattress on both long sides of the frame.
3. Fit the frame together as a box. Securely glue and screw the four frame pieces together with 1-1/2-inch #10 wood screws. Drill the screw holes first with a 9/64-inch bit. Clamp them to dry. The 3/4-inch trim should be securely glued and nailed with 1-inch brads on the inside of the long sides of the frame flush with the bottom edge of the frame. They will support the slats that the mattress sits on.
4. Measure, mark and cut four slats for the mattress frame from the 1-inch by 4-inch poplar lumber. They will be 27-15/16-inches long, just a little less than the inside width of the mattress frame.
5. Set the slats in place on the horizontal supports that were just attached to the mattress frame. The slats do not need to be permanently attached.
6. Glue two 1-inch by 3-inch by 8-foot oak hardwood pieces of wood together. Clamp them and let them dry overnight. Repeat again. These are the corner posts. After they are dry, cut them 46-inches long.
7. Lay one plywood end on the floor. Lay two corner posts on the floor flush with the top of the plywood end. Use a piece of scrap from the frame and place it at the bottom of the plywood end. The 3-inch dimension is what matters. Move the scrap up 1-inch from the bottom and make a mark across the top of the scrap. Repeat on the other corner post.
8. Attach the corner posts to the plywood. Coat the edge of the plywood with construction adhesive. Drill through the posts into the center of the edge of the plywood using a 9/64-inch drill bit in three evenly spaced places. Fasten with 2-1/2-inch #10 wood screws.
9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 for the other end of the crib.
10. Fasten the bed frame with the top of the frame at the marks on the corner posts. Mark six evenly spaced locations in a straight line 1-inch up from the bottom of the plywood ends. Drill at these locations using a 9/64-inch drill bit. Fasten with 2-1/2-inch #10 wood screws. Repeat on the other end of the crib.
11. Make a rail slat with a finished dimension of 23-inches long and 1-3/4-inches and ¼-inch thick (after it is sanded) that can be used as a pattern. The distance between slats will be 2-1/4-inches. From the pattern make 12 more rail slats. Next, make 26 slats that measure 11-1/2-inches long and 1-3/4-inches and ¼-inch thick.
12. Cut 4 rails 52-inches long from the 1-inch by 2-inch by 5-foot pieces of oak. Cut 2 rails measuring 51-3/4-inches long.
13. Cut mortises in the rails for all of the slats. Do this by marking the rails in pairs (two 52-inch pairs and one 51-3/4-inch pair) exactly the same for each upper and each matching lower rail so that all of the rail slats are perfectly vertical when fitted in place. For the 52-inch rails, the first mark for the end of the first mortise will be at 1-1/8-inch. The mortise will need to accommodate the 1-3/4-inch slat. Allow a 2-1/4-inch gap between all slats. The mortise will also be centered on the rail right in the middle of the 3/4-inch width. For the 51-3/4-inch pair, the first mark marking the end of the first mortise will be at 1-inch. The mortise will need to accommodate the 1-3/4-inch slat. Allow a 2-1/4-inch gap between all slats.
14. Fit and glue 13 of the 23-inch rail slats into one pair of 52-inch rails. Fit and glue 13 of the 11-1/2-inch rail slats into the other 52-inch pair of rails and fit and glue the other 13 into the 51-3/4-inch pair of rails.
15. Attach the taller rail and slat assembly to the corner posts on one side of the crib with #10 finishing nails in four evenly spaced locations. Drill the nail holes first using a drill bit that is just a little smaller than the finishing nail. The bottom rail should be flush with bottom of the mattress frame. Repeat on the other side with the 52-inch rail and the 11-1/2-inch slats.
16. Attach 4 3/4-inch by 3-inch hinges to the top edge of the short rail assembly. Attach the 51-3/4-inch rail assembly to these hinges. Attach two 3-inch brass barrel bolts at the top of the hinged section to lock this section to the corner posts.
17.Cut two 29-inch lengths from the remaining 1-inch by 3-inch by 7-foot piece of poplar lumber. Sand the edges so they are round. Glue these pieces across the top of the corner posts and plywood ends.
18. Sand and stain all of the pieces of wood (frame, rails, corner posts and rail slats) with baby-safe stain.
Tags: corner posts, mortise will, rail slats, 51-3 4-inch, mattress frame, 1-inch 3-inch, 2-inch wood