Well, I have finished - sort of - the main pieces of baby furniture that
I've been working on. These consist of a crib, cradle and *temporary*
changing table. I saw temporary, because I initially intended, and still
plan to finish, to build a nice chest of drawers/cabinet style changing
table made of solid ash, but I have been having a terrible time getting the
panels to stay flat and since SWMBO is due this week, I figured I better
whip up a changing table of some sort so that we had something, albeit
simple.
Here's a brief description of each piece. And the link to the pictures:
http://pages.cthome.net/logmanworld/babystuff.htm
Cradle:
I built this first and it is solid ash. I used the Wood plan for the
pendulum cradle. It was very straightforward to build and I'm happy with
the construction. It is very solid and stable and swings very nicely. I
changed the dimensions from the plan to accomodate a full-size cradle
mattress (18"x36", IIRC). I'm sure you've seen dozens of these posted over
the years. I believe someone posted one only a few months ago, in fact.
The finish is another story - I really can't stand it. My wife didn't want
anything "dark" in the nursery, but she doesn't care for lightly colored
wood finishes, so she asked (and you know what that means when it's a
pregnant SWMBO) that I do a pickled finish. She further instructed that I
"distress" the surface. I used 2 coats of General Finishes "Whitewash" EF
water-based stain. I basically flooded the surface, waited approx. 5
minutes and wiped off the excess. I honestly didn't have any idea what
"distressed" was supposed to look like, so I moved stain around, and got a
little overeager when I sanded, as you can see. But, SWMBO initially said
she liked it, so I put 3 coats of General Finishes EF Polyacrylic Blend
water-base finish on the surface. This product was a dream to use. It
didn't really build up very much, but it really is crystal clear and was
extremely easy to apply.
Crib:
This is also built from plans, this time from Woodsmith for the Heirloom
Crib. I bought the plans, as well as the hardware kit. This was probably
the easiest woodworking project I've every built. There were no glue-ups to
deal with, so other than regular milling of the rough ash, stock prep was a
piece of cake. The design is extremely easy to build. There was a
discussion in the rec a little while ago about cutting a groove for mortises
with a dado blade and then using spacer fill blocks to offset slats. That's
how this design was built (as was the cradle). It definitely saves time,
but I wasn't very happy with the results. For the "majority" of spacers the
fit was just right and little to no gap is visible, but for a few, after the
glue dried, some small gaps appeared. Probably due to my not using enough
glue, clamping pressure, etc. The construction of the crib is very solid,
and I like the simple design. The hardware kit was complete, and went
together fairly easily, although there is a little resistance when raising
and lowering the sides, so I have to wax up the guide rod or something.
The finish was exactly the same as the crib, except this time SWMBO and I
decided not to distress the surface. I think the result is much more
pleasing. I won't say I actually "like" white stain, but at least the
finish looks pretty uniform. This time around I made sure I thoroughly
raised the grain with some distilled water before starting the finishing
process and sanded with 320 grit before starting with the stain. I paid
more attention to getting even coverage with the stain, and I didn't sand at
all between coats of stain or the polyacrylic finishes - just a light
sanding with 320 grit after the final coat was applied.
Changing Table
This one was copied from a picture in a catalog SWMBO showed me. The
construction couldn't be simpler. I think the total for materials used was
about $50. The base frame is made of poplar and is held together with
mortise and tenon joinery. This was my first chance to use my Jet mortiser
(purchased after the crib and cradle were done, darn it) and it was great.
It is just a simple frame, all 90 degree joints. The shelves are 1/2" MDF
and the top and guard rail are 3/4" MDF. To support the shelves I glued and
nailed poplar support strips along the entire lower edge of the
corresponding rails. I used my new (I've been on a shopping spree hehe)
Senco 23-guage pin nailer. What a joy! The top was attached using pocket
hole joinery vertically through the upper rails and glue. I was very happy
with how snug this got the top and there were really no gaps anywhere
between the top and the rails/posts. I used a multiprofile router bit to
decorate the top edge of the table and a cove bit on the underside of the
top, to reduce the thickness of the edge. I overhung the top on all sides
by 1". Finally, I mitered and glued the guard rail together. No biscuits
here, I couldn't find the manual to my porter-cable plate joiner and I
didn't want to mess with changing out the blade to do face frame biscuits.
I just used a bessey strap clamp and the miters came out just right. I then
biscuited into the bottom of the frame and into the top of the table and
glued the frame in place. I found out that it is a PITA to try to clamp
things in this fashion using cauls. I really needed some large capacity
(and many of them) cabinet clamps. I ended up putting a big piece of 3/4"
MDF on top and putting a big pile of ash on top of it. It worked pretty
good, but I wasn't able to wipe up the squeeze out inside the frame. The
finish is a coat of latex primer and only one coat of Benjamin Moore Ivory
(?), I think. It is the same as the trim in the nursery.
That's it!
Sorry for the long descriptions. I've been working on these things for a
few months, so I figured a few words about them would be helpful.
Any feedback is greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Mike
Hi Greg and Aaron,
The changing table was indeed inspired by the Pottery Barn Kids "classic
changing table". It's amazing that they charge $250 for this thing. I bet
theirs is made of plywood, too.
Aaron: the construction of this item couldn't be more straightforward. If
you're planning to paint it like I did, then there's no reason to bother
gluing up wood for the shelves and top. Use good plywood or MDF. I chose
MDF and it machines great and paints very well. Just remember to use coarse
thread screws. I attached the top with pocket hole screws vertically
through the top rails. It worked great and was a piece of cake. The rest
of the frame is just mortise and tenons. I have a mortising machine and
tenoning jig, so this wasn't difficult for me. 24 mortises isn't really all
that many, but if you're doing it with hand chisels, it might take awhile.
I biscuited the guard rail frame into the top, so if you don't have a
biscuit joiner, I guess you could screw up throw the top, just be careful
about alignment. I'm sure you won't have any problems. I used poplar from
the Borg and didn't even do any milling to it. I just ripped strips off of
1x8 stock for the rails and used 2x2 stock for the posts. All together it
took me maybe 6 hours to build the table, and that includes breaks.
Mike
--
There are no stupid questions.
There are a LOT of inquisitive idiots.
"Aaron Heck" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Funny you should mention that. I have my first on that way, due around
> Thanksgiving, and one of my next (and first) projects will be that exact
> changing table.
>
> Any hints?
>
> Aaron
>
> "Greg" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Nice job, Mike. Following the group it doesn't seem like that many
> > people use Ash. I use it quite a bit and love it ($1.40/bf doesn't
> > hurt either). Your changing table looks just like the one I
> > built....let me guess....Pottery Barn Kids? SWMBO looks through the
> > sales catalog and folds over the pages where she finds something she
> > wants built. So far, I've built their crib, changing table, quilt
> > rack, big wooden letters to hang on the wall and I'm just about
> > finished painting one of their bookshelves ($299 in the catalog and it
> > cost me $29, the price for a nice piece of 3/4" d3 maple plywood,
> > definitely a bargain). Now...if she would just go into labor!
> >
> > Greg
> >
> > "Mike in Mystic" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:<[email protected]>...
> > > Well, I have finished - sort of - the main pieces of baby furniture
that
> > > I've been working on. These consist of a crib, cradle and *temporary*
> > > changing table. I saw temporary, because I initially intended, and
> still
> > > plan to finish, to build a nice chest of drawers/cabinet style
changing
> > > table made of solid ash, but I have been having a terrible time
getting
> the
> > > panels to stay flat and since SWMBO is due this week, I figured I
better
> > > whip up a changing table of some sort so that we had something, albeit
> > > simple.
> > >
> > > Here's a brief description of each piece. And the link to the
pictures:
> > > http://pages.cthome.net/logmanworld/babystuff.htm
> > >
> > > Cradle:
> > >
> > > I built this first and it is solid ash. I used the Wood plan for the
> > > pendulum cradle. It was very straightforward to build and I'm happy
> with
> > > the construction. It is very solid and stable and swings very nicely.
> I
> > > changed the dimensions from the plan to accomodate a full-size cradle
> > > mattress (18"x36", IIRC). I'm sure you've seen dozens of these posted
> over
> > > the years. I believe someone posted one only a few months ago, in
fact.
> > >
> > > The finish is another story - I really can't stand it. My wife didn't
> want
> > > anything "dark" in the nursery, but she doesn't care for lightly
colored
> > > wood finishes, so she asked (and you know what that means when it's a
> > > pregnant SWMBO) that I do a pickled finish. She further instructed
that
> I
> > > "distress" the surface. I used 2 coats of General Finishes
"Whitewash"
> EF
> > > water-based stain. I basically flooded the surface, waited approx. 5
> > > minutes and wiped off the excess. I honestly didn't have any idea
what
> > > "distressed" was supposed to look like, so I moved stain around, and
got
> a
> > > little overeager when I sanded, as you can see. But, SWMBO initially
> said
> > > she liked it, so I put 3 coats of General Finishes EF Polyacrylic
Blend
> > > water-base finish on the surface. This product was a dream to use.
It
> > > didn't really build up very much, but it really is crystal clear and
> was
> > > extremely easy to apply.
> > >
> > > Crib:
> > >
> > > This is also built from plans, this time from Woodsmith for the
Heirloom
> > > Crib. I bought the plans, as well as the hardware kit. This was
> probably
> > > the easiest woodworking project I've every built. There were no
> glue-ups to
> > > deal with, so other than regular milling of the rough ash, stock prep
> was a
> > > piece of cake. The design is extremely easy to build. There was a
> > > discussion in the rec a little while ago about cutting a groove for
> mortises
> > > with a dado blade and then using spacer fill blocks to offset slats.
> That's
> > > how this design was built (as was the cradle). It definitely saves
> time,
> > > but I wasn't very happy with the results. For the "majority" of
spacers
> the
> > > fit was just right and little to no gap is visible, but for a few,
after
> the
> > > glue dried, some small gaps appeared. Probably due to my not using
> enough
> > > glue, clamping pressure, etc. The construction of the crib is very
> solid,
> > > and I like the simple design. The hardware kit was complete, and went
> > > together fairly easily, although there is a little resistance when
> raising
> > > and lowering the sides, so I have to wax up the guide rod or
something.
> > >
> > > The finish was exactly the same as the crib, except this time SWMBO
and
> I
> > > decided not to distress the surface. I think the result is much more
> > > pleasing. I won't say I actually "like" white stain, but at least the
> > > finish looks pretty uniform. This time around I made sure I
thoroughly
> > > raised the grain with some distilled water before starting the
finishing
> > > process and sanded with 320 grit before starting with the stain. I
paid
> > > more attention to getting even coverage with the stain, and I didn't
> sand at
> > > all between coats of stain or the polyacrylic finishes - just a light
> > > sanding with 320 grit after the final coat was applied.
> > >
> > > Changing Table
> > >
> > > This one was copied from a picture in a catalog SWMBO showed me. The
> > > construction couldn't be simpler. I think the total for materials
used
> was
> > > about $50. The base frame is made of poplar and is held together with
> > > mortise and tenon joinery. This was my first chance to use my Jet
> mortiser
> > > (purchased after the crib and cradle were done, darn it) and it was
> great.
> > > It is just a simple frame, all 90 degree joints. The shelves are 1/2"
> MDF
> > > and the top and guard rail are 3/4" MDF. To support the shelves I
glued
> and
> > > nailed poplar support strips along the entire lower edge of the
> > > corresponding rails. I used my new (I've been on a shopping spree
hehe)
> > > Senco 23-guage pin nailer. What a joy! The top was attached using
> pocket
> > > hole joinery vertically through the upper rails and glue. I was very
> happy
> > > with how snug this got the top and there were really no gaps anywhere
> > > between the top and the rails/posts. I used a multiprofile router bit
> to
> > > decorate the top edge of the table and a cove bit on the underside of
> the
> > > top, to reduce the thickness of the edge. I overhung the top on all
> sides
> > > by 1". Finally, I mitered and glued the guard rail together. No
> biscuits
> > > here, I couldn't find the manual to my porter-cable plate joiner and I
> > > didn't want to mess with changing out the blade to do face frame
> biscuits.
> > > I just used a bessey strap clamp and the miters came out just right.
I
> then
> > > biscuited into the bottom of the frame and into the top of the table
and
> > > glued the frame in place. I found out that it is a PITA to try to
clamp
> > > things in this fashion using cauls. I really needed some large
capacity
> > > (and many of them) cabinet clamps. I ended up putting a big piece of
> 3/4"
> > > MDF on top and putting a big pile of ash on top of it. It worked
> pretty
> > > good, but I wasn't able to wipe up the squeeze out inside the frame.
> The
> > > finish is a coat of latex primer and only one coat of Benjamin Moore
> Ivory
> > > (?), I think. It is the same as the trim in the nursery.
> > >
> > > That's it!
> > >
> > > Sorry for the long descriptions. I've been working on these things
for
> a
> > > few months, so I figured a few words about them would be helpful.
> > >
> > > Any feedback is greatly appreciated!
> > >
> > > Thanks!
> > >
> > > Mike
> >
>
>
>
Funny you should mention that. I have my first on that way, due around
Thanksgiving, and one of my next (and first) projects will be that exact
changing table.
Any hints?
Aaron
"Greg" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Nice job, Mike. Following the group it doesn't seem like that many
> people use Ash. I use it quite a bit and love it ($1.40/bf doesn't
> hurt either). Your changing table looks just like the one I
> built....let me guess....Pottery Barn Kids? SWMBO looks through the
> sales catalog and folds over the pages where she finds something she
> wants built. So far, I've built their crib, changing table, quilt
> rack, big wooden letters to hang on the wall and I'm just about
> finished painting one of their bookshelves ($299 in the catalog and it
> cost me $29, the price for a nice piece of 3/4" d3 maple plywood,
> definitely a bargain). Now...if she would just go into labor!
>
> Greg
>
> "Mike in Mystic" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> > Well, I have finished - sort of - the main pieces of baby furniture that
> > I've been working on. These consist of a crib, cradle and *temporary*
> > changing table. I saw temporary, because I initially intended, and
still
> > plan to finish, to build a nice chest of drawers/cabinet style changing
> > table made of solid ash, but I have been having a terrible time getting
the
> > panels to stay flat and since SWMBO is due this week, I figured I better
> > whip up a changing table of some sort so that we had something, albeit
> > simple.
> >
> > Here's a brief description of each piece. And the link to the pictures:
> > http://pages.cthome.net/logmanworld/babystuff.htm
> >
> > Cradle:
> >
> > I built this first and it is solid ash. I used the Wood plan for the
> > pendulum cradle. It was very straightforward to build and I'm happy
with
> > the construction. It is very solid and stable and swings very nicely.
I
> > changed the dimensions from the plan to accomodate a full-size cradle
> > mattress (18"x36", IIRC). I'm sure you've seen dozens of these posted
over
> > the years. I believe someone posted one only a few months ago, in fact.
> >
> > The finish is another story - I really can't stand it. My wife didn't
want
> > anything "dark" in the nursery, but she doesn't care for lightly colored
> > wood finishes, so she asked (and you know what that means when it's a
> > pregnant SWMBO) that I do a pickled finish. She further instructed that
I
> > "distress" the surface. I used 2 coats of General Finishes "Whitewash"
EF
> > water-based stain. I basically flooded the surface, waited approx. 5
> > minutes and wiped off the excess. I honestly didn't have any idea what
> > "distressed" was supposed to look like, so I moved stain around, and got
a
> > little overeager when I sanded, as you can see. But, SWMBO initially
said
> > she liked it, so I put 3 coats of General Finishes EF Polyacrylic Blend
> > water-base finish on the surface. This product was a dream to use. It
> > didn't really build up very much, but it really is crystal clear and
was
> > extremely easy to apply.
> >
> > Crib:
> >
> > This is also built from plans, this time from Woodsmith for the Heirloom
> > Crib. I bought the plans, as well as the hardware kit. This was
probably
> > the easiest woodworking project I've every built. There were no
glue-ups to
> > deal with, so other than regular milling of the rough ash, stock prep
was a
> > piece of cake. The design is extremely easy to build. There was a
> > discussion in the rec a little while ago about cutting a groove for
mortises
> > with a dado blade and then using spacer fill blocks to offset slats.
That's
> > how this design was built (as was the cradle). It definitely saves
time,
> > but I wasn't very happy with the results. For the "majority" of spacers
the
> > fit was just right and little to no gap is visible, but for a few, after
the
> > glue dried, some small gaps appeared. Probably due to my not using
enough
> > glue, clamping pressure, etc. The construction of the crib is very
solid,
> > and I like the simple design. The hardware kit was complete, and went
> > together fairly easily, although there is a little resistance when
raising
> > and lowering the sides, so I have to wax up the guide rod or something.
> >
> > The finish was exactly the same as the crib, except this time SWMBO and
I
> > decided not to distress the surface. I think the result is much more
> > pleasing. I won't say I actually "like" white stain, but at least the
> > finish looks pretty uniform. This time around I made sure I thoroughly
> > raised the grain with some distilled water before starting the finishing
> > process and sanded with 320 grit before starting with the stain. I paid
> > more attention to getting even coverage with the stain, and I didn't
sand at
> > all between coats of stain or the polyacrylic finishes - just a light
> > sanding with 320 grit after the final coat was applied.
> >
> > Changing Table
> >
> > This one was copied from a picture in a catalog SWMBO showed me. The
> > construction couldn't be simpler. I think the total for materials used
was
> > about $50. The base frame is made of poplar and is held together with
> > mortise and tenon joinery. This was my first chance to use my Jet
mortiser
> > (purchased after the crib and cradle were done, darn it) and it was
great.
> > It is just a simple frame, all 90 degree joints. The shelves are 1/2"
MDF
> > and the top and guard rail are 3/4" MDF. To support the shelves I glued
and
> > nailed poplar support strips along the entire lower edge of the
> > corresponding rails. I used my new (I've been on a shopping spree hehe)
> > Senco 23-guage pin nailer. What a joy! The top was attached using
pocket
> > hole joinery vertically through the upper rails and glue. I was very
happy
> > with how snug this got the top and there were really no gaps anywhere
> > between the top and the rails/posts. I used a multiprofile router bit
to
> > decorate the top edge of the table and a cove bit on the underside of
the
> > top, to reduce the thickness of the edge. I overhung the top on all
sides
> > by 1". Finally, I mitered and glued the guard rail together. No
biscuits
> > here, I couldn't find the manual to my porter-cable plate joiner and I
> > didn't want to mess with changing out the blade to do face frame
biscuits.
> > I just used a bessey strap clamp and the miters came out just right. I
then
> > biscuited into the bottom of the frame and into the top of the table and
> > glued the frame in place. I found out that it is a PITA to try to clamp
> > things in this fashion using cauls. I really needed some large capacity
> > (and many of them) cabinet clamps. I ended up putting a big piece of
3/4"
> > MDF on top and putting a big pile of ash on top of it. It worked
pretty
> > good, but I wasn't able to wipe up the squeeze out inside the frame.
The
> > finish is a coat of latex primer and only one coat of Benjamin Moore
Ivory
> > (?), I think. It is the same as the trim in the nursery.
> >
> > That's it!
> >
> > Sorry for the long descriptions. I've been working on these things for
a
> > few months, so I figured a few words about them would be helpful.
> >
> > Any feedback is greatly appreciated!
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > Mike
>
Nice job, Mike. Following the group it doesn't seem like that many
people use Ash. I use it quite a bit and love it ($1.40/bf doesn't
hurt either). Your changing table looks just like the one I
built....let me guess....Pottery Barn Kids? SWMBO looks through the
sales catalog and folds over the pages where she finds something she
wants built. So far, I've built their crib, changing table, quilt
rack, big wooden letters to hang on the wall and I'm just about
finished painting one of their bookshelves ($299 in the catalog and it
cost me $29, the price for a nice piece of 3/4" d3 maple plywood,
definitely a bargain). Now...if she would just go into labor!
Greg
"Mike in Mystic" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Well, I have finished - sort of - the main pieces of baby furniture that
> I've been working on. These consist of a crib, cradle and *temporary*
> changing table. I saw temporary, because I initially intended, and still
> plan to finish, to build a nice chest of drawers/cabinet style changing
> table made of solid ash, but I have been having a terrible time getting the
> panels to stay flat and since SWMBO is due this week, I figured I better
> whip up a changing table of some sort so that we had something, albeit
> simple.
>
> Here's a brief description of each piece. And the link to the pictures:
> http://pages.cthome.net/logmanworld/babystuff.htm
>
> Cradle:
>
> I built this first and it is solid ash. I used the Wood plan for the
> pendulum cradle. It was very straightforward to build and I'm happy with
> the construction. It is very solid and stable and swings very nicely. I
> changed the dimensions from the plan to accomodate a full-size cradle
> mattress (18"x36", IIRC). I'm sure you've seen dozens of these posted over
> the years. I believe someone posted one only a few months ago, in fact.
>
> The finish is another story - I really can't stand it. My wife didn't want
> anything "dark" in the nursery, but she doesn't care for lightly colored
> wood finishes, so she asked (and you know what that means when it's a
> pregnant SWMBO) that I do a pickled finish. She further instructed that I
> "distress" the surface. I used 2 coats of General Finishes "Whitewash" EF
> water-based stain. I basically flooded the surface, waited approx. 5
> minutes and wiped off the excess. I honestly didn't have any idea what
> "distressed" was supposed to look like, so I moved stain around, and got a
> little overeager when I sanded, as you can see. But, SWMBO initially said
> she liked it, so I put 3 coats of General Finishes EF Polyacrylic Blend
> water-base finish on the surface. This product was a dream to use. It
> didn't really build up very much, but it really is crystal clear and was
> extremely easy to apply.
>
> Crib:
>
> This is also built from plans, this time from Woodsmith for the Heirloom
> Crib. I bought the plans, as well as the hardware kit. This was probably
> the easiest woodworking project I've every built. There were no glue-ups to
> deal with, so other than regular milling of the rough ash, stock prep was a
> piece of cake. The design is extremely easy to build. There was a
> discussion in the rec a little while ago about cutting a groove for mortises
> with a dado blade and then using spacer fill blocks to offset slats. That's
> how this design was built (as was the cradle). It definitely saves time,
> but I wasn't very happy with the results. For the "majority" of spacers the
> fit was just right and little to no gap is visible, but for a few, after the
> glue dried, some small gaps appeared. Probably due to my not using enough
> glue, clamping pressure, etc. The construction of the crib is very solid,
> and I like the simple design. The hardware kit was complete, and went
> together fairly easily, although there is a little resistance when raising
> and lowering the sides, so I have to wax up the guide rod or something.
>
> The finish was exactly the same as the crib, except this time SWMBO and I
> decided not to distress the surface. I think the result is much more
> pleasing. I won't say I actually "like" white stain, but at least the
> finish looks pretty uniform. This time around I made sure I thoroughly
> raised the grain with some distilled water before starting the finishing
> process and sanded with 320 grit before starting with the stain. I paid
> more attention to getting even coverage with the stain, and I didn't sand at
> all between coats of stain or the polyacrylic finishes - just a light
> sanding with 320 grit after the final coat was applied.
>
> Changing Table
>
> This one was copied from a picture in a catalog SWMBO showed me. The
> construction couldn't be simpler. I think the total for materials used was
> about $50. The base frame is made of poplar and is held together with
> mortise and tenon joinery. This was my first chance to use my Jet mortiser
> (purchased after the crib and cradle were done, darn it) and it was great.
> It is just a simple frame, all 90 degree joints. The shelves are 1/2" MDF
> and the top and guard rail are 3/4" MDF. To support the shelves I glued and
> nailed poplar support strips along the entire lower edge of the
> corresponding rails. I used my new (I've been on a shopping spree hehe)
> Senco 23-guage pin nailer. What a joy! The top was attached using pocket
> hole joinery vertically through the upper rails and glue. I was very happy
> with how snug this got the top and there were really no gaps anywhere
> between the top and the rails/posts. I used a multiprofile router bit to
> decorate the top edge of the table and a cove bit on the underside of the
> top, to reduce the thickness of the edge. I overhung the top on all sides
> by 1". Finally, I mitered and glued the guard rail together. No biscuits
> here, I couldn't find the manual to my porter-cable plate joiner and I
> didn't want to mess with changing out the blade to do face frame biscuits.
> I just used a bessey strap clamp and the miters came out just right. I then
> biscuited into the bottom of the frame and into the top of the table and
> glued the frame in place. I found out that it is a PITA to try to clamp
> things in this fashion using cauls. I really needed some large capacity
> (and many of them) cabinet clamps. I ended up putting a big piece of 3/4"
> MDF on top and putting a big pile of ash on top of it. It worked pretty
> good, but I wasn't able to wipe up the squeeze out inside the frame. The
> finish is a coat of latex primer and only one coat of Benjamin Moore Ivory
> (?), I think. It is the same as the trim in the nursery.
>
> That's it!
>
> Sorry for the long descriptions. I've been working on these things for a
> few months, so I figured a few words about them would be helpful.
>
> Any feedback is greatly appreciated!
>
> Thanks!
>
> Mike
[email protected] (Greg) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Nice job, Mike. Following the group it doesn't seem like that many
> people use Ash. I use it quite a bit and love it ($1.40/bf doesn't
> hurt either). Your changing table looks just like the one I
> built....let me guess....Pottery Barn Kids? SWMBO looks through the
> sales catalog and folds over the pages where she finds something she
> wants built. So far, I've built their crib, changing table, quilt
> rack, big wooden letters to hang on the wall and I'm just about
> finished painting one of their bookshelves ($299 in the catalog and it
> cost me $29, the price for a nice piece of 3/4" d3 maple plywood,
> definitely a bargain). Now...if she would just go into labor!
>
> Greg
>
Greg,
SWMBO picks my projects from the Pottery Barn catalog too! Nothing as
ambitious as yours though. So far I have done a duck stool and a few
other odds and ends. They have some cute things for kids, but have
you noticed that their quality is pretty crummy for what they charge
(we have a Pottery Barn locally which carries some of the kids stuff
so I have seen it first hand.) The duck stool was about $40 and it
was constructed with butt joints and screws. It didn't seem like it
would stand up to much abuse. My version only cost about $10 and I
did it with dados and added a stretcher across the bottom for extra
strength. It could probably hold about 500 lbs and last for a few
generations.
-Chris
Hey Greg,
Sounds like you've been even more busy than I have! We're due right now,
actually. Yesterday was the nominal due date. I'm getting pretty wigged
out hehe. With my luck, he'll be 2 weeks late and we'll have to induce :)
Which bookcase did you build? the Madison one? That looks pretty good, I'm
thinking of doing that, too. I think SWMBO wants a chest of drawers first,
though. I wish the humidity would go down so my wood would stop cupping.
I agree with you regarding Ash, too. It is really nice to work with, even
if the grain isn't particularly interesting. Have you been using wood
filler? I think that is something I should've have done - this wood has
some pretty deep pores. I did have some powder post beetles in some of the
12/4 ash I got, too, which was pretty frustrating.
Mike
--
There are no stupid questions.
There are a LOT of inquisitive idiots.
"Greg" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Nice job, Mike. Following the group it doesn't seem like that many
> people use Ash. I use it quite a bit and love it ($1.40/bf doesn't
> hurt either). Your changing table looks just like the one I
> built....let me guess....Pottery Barn Kids? SWMBO looks through the
> sales catalog and folds over the pages where she finds something she
> wants built. So far, I've built their crib, changing table, quilt
> rack, big wooden letters to hang on the wall and I'm just about
> finished painting one of their bookshelves ($299 in the catalog and it
> cost me $29, the price for a nice piece of 3/4" d3 maple plywood,
> definitely a bargain). Now...if she would just go into labor!
>
> Greg
>
> "Mike in Mystic" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> > Well, I have finished - sort of - the main pieces of baby furniture that
> > I've been working on. These consist of a crib, cradle and *temporary*
> > changing table. I saw temporary, because I initially intended, and
still
> > plan to finish, to build a nice chest of drawers/cabinet style changing
> > table made of solid ash, but I have been having a terrible time getting
the
> > panels to stay flat and since SWMBO is due this week, I figured I better
> > whip up a changing table of some sort so that we had something, albeit
> > simple.
> >
> > Here's a brief description of each piece. And the link to the pictures:
> > http://pages.cthome.net/logmanworld/babystuff.htm
> >
> > Cradle:
> >
> > I built this first and it is solid ash. I used the Wood plan for the
> > pendulum cradle. It was very straightforward to build and I'm happy
with
> > the construction. It is very solid and stable and swings very nicely.
I
> > changed the dimensions from the plan to accomodate a full-size cradle
> > mattress (18"x36", IIRC). I'm sure you've seen dozens of these posted
over
> > the years. I believe someone posted one only a few months ago, in fact.
> >
> > The finish is another story - I really can't stand it. My wife didn't
want
> > anything "dark" in the nursery, but she doesn't care for lightly colored
> > wood finishes, so she asked (and you know what that means when it's a
> > pregnant SWMBO) that I do a pickled finish. She further instructed that
I
> > "distress" the surface. I used 2 coats of General Finishes "Whitewash"
EF
> > water-based stain. I basically flooded the surface, waited approx. 5
> > minutes and wiped off the excess. I honestly didn't have any idea what
> > "distressed" was supposed to look like, so I moved stain around, and got
a
> > little overeager when I sanded, as you can see. But, SWMBO initially
said
> > she liked it, so I put 3 coats of General Finishes EF Polyacrylic Blend
> > water-base finish on the surface. This product was a dream to use. It
> > didn't really build up very much, but it really is crystal clear and
was
> > extremely easy to apply.
> >
> > Crib:
> >
> > This is also built from plans, this time from Woodsmith for the Heirloom
> > Crib. I bought the plans, as well as the hardware kit. This was
probably
> > the easiest woodworking project I've every built. There were no
glue-ups to
> > deal with, so other than regular milling of the rough ash, stock prep
was a
> > piece of cake. The design is extremely easy to build. There was a
> > discussion in the rec a little while ago about cutting a groove for
mortises
> > with a dado blade and then using spacer fill blocks to offset slats.
That's
> > how this design was built (as was the cradle). It definitely saves
time,
> > but I wasn't very happy with the results. For the "majority" of spacers
the
> > fit was just right and little to no gap is visible, but for a few, after
the
> > glue dried, some small gaps appeared. Probably due to my not using
enough
> > glue, clamping pressure, etc. The construction of the crib is very
solid,
> > and I like the simple design. The hardware kit was complete, and went
> > together fairly easily, although there is a little resistance when
raising
> > and lowering the sides, so I have to wax up the guide rod or something.
> >
> > The finish was exactly the same as the crib, except this time SWMBO and
I
> > decided not to distress the surface. I think the result is much more
> > pleasing. I won't say I actually "like" white stain, but at least the
> > finish looks pretty uniform. This time around I made sure I thoroughly
> > raised the grain with some distilled water before starting the finishing
> > process and sanded with 320 grit before starting with the stain. I paid
> > more attention to getting even coverage with the stain, and I didn't
sand at
> > all between coats of stain or the polyacrylic finishes - just a light
> > sanding with 320 grit after the final coat was applied.
> >
> > Changing Table
> >
> > This one was copied from a picture in a catalog SWMBO showed me. The
> > construction couldn't be simpler. I think the total for materials used
was
> > about $50. The base frame is made of poplar and is held together with
> > mortise and tenon joinery. This was my first chance to use my Jet
mortiser
> > (purchased after the crib and cradle were done, darn it) and it was
great.
> > It is just a simple frame, all 90 degree joints. The shelves are 1/2"
MDF
> > and the top and guard rail are 3/4" MDF. To support the shelves I glued
and
> > nailed poplar support strips along the entire lower edge of the
> > corresponding rails. I used my new (I've been on a shopping spree hehe)
> > Senco 23-guage pin nailer. What a joy! The top was attached using
pocket
> > hole joinery vertically through the upper rails and glue. I was very
happy
> > with how snug this got the top and there were really no gaps anywhere
> > between the top and the rails/posts. I used a multiprofile router bit
to
> > decorate the top edge of the table and a cove bit on the underside of
the
> > top, to reduce the thickness of the edge. I overhung the top on all
sides
> > by 1". Finally, I mitered and glued the guard rail together. No
biscuits
> > here, I couldn't find the manual to my porter-cable plate joiner and I
> > didn't want to mess with changing out the blade to do face frame
biscuits.
> > I just used a bessey strap clamp and the miters came out just right. I
then
> > biscuited into the bottom of the frame and into the top of the table and
> > glued the frame in place. I found out that it is a PITA to try to clamp
> > things in this fashion using cauls. I really needed some large capacity
> > (and many of them) cabinet clamps. I ended up putting a big piece of
3/4"
> > MDF on top and putting a big pile of ash on top of it. It worked
pretty
> > good, but I wasn't able to wipe up the squeeze out inside the frame.
The
> > finish is a coat of latex primer and only one coat of Benjamin Moore
Ivory
> > (?), I think. It is the same as the trim in the nursery.
> >
> > That's it!
> >
> > Sorry for the long descriptions. I've been working on these things for
a
> > few months, so I figured a few words about them would be helpful.
> >
> > Any feedback is greatly appreciated!
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > Mike
Hi Barry,
Thanks for the kind words. These were fun projects to build. Can't wait to
see how my son likes them :)
Mike
--
There are no stupid questions.
There are a LOT of inquisitive idiots.
"B a r r y B u r k e J r ." <[email protected]> wrote
in message news:[email protected]...
> On Mon, 04 Aug 2003 12:20:53 GMT, "Mike in Mystic"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >Well, I have finished - sort of - the main pieces of baby furniture that
> >I've been working on.
>
> Nice.
>
> I'm not crazy about the crib finish either, but the workmanship is
> excellent!
>
> Very nice job on the changing table.
>
> Barry