Crib slats must be spaced no more than 2 3/8" apart to prevent danger for the child.
When setting up the nursery for your expected baby, you may find that a nice crib can cost several hundred dollars. With a new baby on the way, and the adjustment of one less income during maternity leave may inspire you to save as much money as you can now in order to survive the following months. Creating your own crib will allow you to make a strong and dependable crib for your child at a fraction of the cost. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Cut a 1-inch square off each corner of the 28-inch wide by 52-inch long section of 1/2 plywood. Measure in from each corner 1-inch along each edge. Connect these marks to create one-inch-by-one-inch squares at each corner. Use a hand saw to cut out these four one-inch square sections.
2. Measure up 10-inches on each of the four 42 1/2-inches tall by 1-inch by 1-inch solid wood posts. Mark all four posts along one edge at this height.
3. Apply wood glue along the 1-inch edges of each square cut out in the 28-inch by 52-inch section. Insert one of the 42 1/2-inch posts into each 1-inch by 1-inch cut out. Line up the bottom of the large plywood section with the 10-inch mark on each post. Hammer one 2-inch nail into each outer edge of each post, two total nails in each post.
4. Measure and mark 2-inches from one post. Any post is fine to start. Measure and mark 1-inch from the 2-inch mark. Repeat this 2-inch then 1-inch process the entire way around the crib base.
5. Insert one 1-inch by 1/2-inch by 32-inch solid wood post at each 1-inch mark to create a 2-inch space between each post. Nail each solid wood post in place with two 2-inch nails through the bottom of the crib base driven upward into the posts.
6. Miter the corners of the 28-inch by 1-inch and the 52-inch by 1-inch sections. Lay each piece on a flat surface so they stand 1/2-inch above the surface. Measure in 1-inch from each corner along the side closest to you. Draw a line from the 1-inch mark back to the opposite side corner, and cut along the line with a hand saw to create a 45-degree angle.
7. Apply wood glue to the top of the 28-inch side slats. Line the 1-inch by 28-inch solid wood piece along the top of the slat so the mitered edges face into the crib. Drive two 1-inch nails down through each slat, and one 2-inch nail down through each corner post. Continue to line the top of the crib with the mitered solid wood sections until the slat tops are concealed.
Tags: each corner, solid wood, each post, 1-inch 1-inch, 1-inch from, 1-inch mark