Making a wooden rocking cradle for nephew/niece (surprise in store!!).
I have made the entire piece alongwith all sides and rocker etc.
Needed some guidance on an ergonomic design for a handle to cut into
the sides. I am using 5/8" thick laminated wood board, and would like
to cut in a nice (read: interesting) design for the handle shape.
Once the design is finalized, I plan to drill a pilot hole, cut with a
jigsaw and then rout (round over) all the edges. Any experience to be
shared regarding this method will also be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance for your time! Regards, Rajeev.
On Aug 21, 7:41 pm, "Sandy" <[email protected]> wrote:
> I wouldn't make a baby's cradle out of laminated wood. Just use real wood.
> What are you doing with the edges after you round them over? Isn't
> laminated wood board just particle board with a fake wood grain on it?
> Wouldn't it be easier to finish the edges if you didn't round it over? I
> have never worked with laminates. I see them in the store as shelving
> material, and always have chosen real wood instead. But then again, that's
> me. If I were to build a cradle for a baby, I'd build it out of real wood,
> and make handles from smoothed branches or wood dowels. But that's my rustic
> side....Build it to last.
>
> Trees are good, dead or alive.http://www.rusticwoodworking.com
> Northern Minnesota, USA
>
> <Tom Veatch> wrote in message
>
> news:[email protected]...
>
> > On Mon, 20 Aug 2007 20:18:59 -0700,Rajeev
> > <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >>Making a wooden rocking cradle for nephew/niece (surprise in store!!).
> >>I have made the entire piece alongwith all sides and rocker etc.
> >>Needed some guidance on an ergonomic design for a handle to cut into
> >>the sides. I am using 5/8" thick laminated wood board, and would like
> >>to cut in a nice (read: interesting) design for the handle shape.
>
> >>Once the design is finalized, I plan to drill a pilot hole, cut with a
> >>jigsaw and then rout (round over) all the edges. Any experience to be
> >>shared regarding this method will also be greatly appreciated.
>
> >>Thanks in advance for your time! Regards,Rajeev.
>
> > don't know how "interesting" it is, but I posted a detail of a handle
> > cutout from an old plan that I had laying around. It's in
> > alt.binaries.pictures.woodworking with the subject "Handle Cutout" and
> > is, I believe, an example of what puckdropper was saying.
>
> > Tom Veatch
> > Wichita, KS
> > USA
I am using pinewood that is laminated into sheets (approx. 2" wide
strips, stuck together to form planks). This is not laminated with a
veneer, is real wood, but is much more environmentally efficient than
solid wood planks (I am not questioning the beauty of using solid
wood). I think this is also called glue-lam??/
On Aug 26, 1:54 am, [email protected] (J T) wrote:
> Fri, Aug 24, 2007, 10:34pm (EDT+4)[email protected] (Rajeev)
> doth sayeth:
> I am using pinewood that is laminated into sheets (approx. 2" wide
> strips, stuck together to form planks). This is not laminated with a
> veneer, is real wood, but is much more environmentally efficient than
> solid wood planks (I am not questioning the beauty of using solid wood).
> I think this is also called glue-lam??/
>
> Here in the U.S. I think you'd be referring to plywood. Laminated
> layers, ssually sold in about 4 foot by 8 foot sheets. I don't think
> I've ever heard it refered to as glue-lam, but that sounds accurate.
> You get different quality versions, depending on use, wood it's made
> from, and price. I see nothing at all bad with making a cradle out of
> it - the decent stuff that is, not the lower, construction, grade. On
> the other hand I would make a rocking chair rather than a cradle, but
> that's me.
>
> JOAT
> I do things I don't know how to do, so that I might learn how to do
> them.
> - Picasso
Nope, not plywood. I live in the US too. Plywood is several layers of
wood 'veneer' laminated together. This board is several pieces of 2"
wide, 5/8" thick (solid) wood that are glued together to form boards
(12"x48"x5/8"thk). I know these boards are very popular among
designers in asia (made there from rubber wood). I've heard the term
Glue-lam used to define built-up structural wood beams 12" to 30"
deep. Don't know if the term applies for this application as well.
I guess I'll take your suggestion on making the rocking chair, but
that will have to wait for a little bit longer. I am currently working
out of the second bedroom or the porch outside (based on where the
SWMBO is that day), and need a bit more of a set-up to attempt a
chair!
Thanks, Rajeev.
Sun, Aug 26, 2007, 3:52pm (EDT+4) [email protected] (Rajeev)
doth posteth:
Nope, not plywood. I live in the US too. <snip> these boards are very
popular among designers in asia (made there from rubber wood). I've
heard the term Glue-lam used to define built-up structural wood beams
12" to 30" deep. Don't know if the term applies for this application as
well.
<snip> need a bit more of a set-up to attempt a chair!
Ah, something like the oak flooring the older kid gave me. LOL
Should work fine.
With a handle like that, no idea where you are, didn't want to ask.
Designers - paugh.
Not sure, think glue-lam only applies to beams.
Believe me, once those little kids are asleep you could drape them
over a rock and they'd sleep. Trick is getting them to sleep in the
first place sometimes. But when you do, you'll really appreciate a
rocking chair for yourself. Here's a plan for one. I think it'd really
look good with a shallac or varnish finish. Or stained. I'd also get a
seat pad and a back pad. If you can handle a cradle, I'd think you
could handle one of these.
http://www.shawcreekgeneralstore.com/plans_porch_rocker.htm I'm
thinking of making one or two, and staining them, custom color, using
very thinned latex paint.
JOAT
I do things I don't know how to do, so that I might learn how to do
them.
- Picasso
Fri, Aug 24, 2007, 10:34pm (EDT+4) [email protected] (Rajeev)
doth sayeth:
I am using pinewood that is laminated into sheets (approx. 2" wide
strips, stuck together to form planks). This is not laminated with a
veneer, is real wood, but is much more environmentally efficient than
solid wood planks (I am not questioning the beauty of using solid wood).
I think this is also called glue-lam??/
Here in the U.S. I think you'd be referring to plywood. Laminated
layers, ssually sold in about 4 foot by 8 foot sheets. I don't think
I've ever heard it refered to as glue-lam, but that sounds accurate.
You get different quality versions, depending on use, wood it's made
from, and price. I see nothing at all bad with making a cradle out of
it - the decent stuff that is, not the lower, construction, grade. On
the other hand I would make a rocking chair rather than a cradle, but
that's me.
JOAT
I do things I don't know how to do, so that I might learn how to do
them.
- Picasso
NVMon, Aug 20, 2007, 8:18pm (EDT-3) [email protected] (Rajeev)
doth post:
<snip> Once the design is finalized, I plan to drill a pilot hole, cut
with a jigsaw and then rout (round over) all the edges. Any experience
to be shared regarding this method will also be greatly appreciated.
<snip>
You're making it, I'd say any design that you like.
I'm not a fan of cradles. Yeah, nice idea, but the kid rapidly
outgrows it, then it's just hanging around. Next time I'd say make a
rocking chair. Then when the kid's asleep, he/she will sleep anywhere,
and the parent can take a break in the rocking chair. And still be
using it for years.
JOAT
I do things I don't know how to do, so that I might learn how to do
them.
- Picasso
Rajeev <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> Making a wooden rocking cradle for nephew/niece (surprise in store!!).
> I have made the entire piece alongwith all sides and rocker etc.
> Needed some guidance on an ergonomic design for a handle to cut into
> the sides. I am using 5/8" thick laminated wood board, and would like
> to cut in a nice (read: interesting) design for the handle shape.
>
*snip*
I'd probably make the majority of the handle (where the crib will be
held) parentheses shaped. Curve your hand a little and see what your
fingers do, then follow that basic design.
I'm not an ergonomics expert, in fact my hand is complaining about having
the computer in the wrong position on my lap. Gotta do something else
for a while...
Puckdropper
--
Wise is the man who attempts to answer his question before asking it.
To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm
I wouldn't make a baby's cradle out of laminated wood. Just use real wood.
What are you doing with the edges after you round them over? Isn't
laminated wood board just particle board with a fake wood grain on it?
Wouldn't it be easier to finish the edges if you didn't round it over? I
have never worked with laminates. I see them in the store as shelving
material, and always have chosen real wood instead. But then again, that's
me. If I were to build a cradle for a baby, I'd build it out of real wood,
and make handles from smoothed branches or wood dowels. But that's my rustic
side....Build it to last.
Trees are good, dead or alive.
http://www.rusticwoodworking.com
Northern Minnesota, USA
<Tom Veatch> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Mon, 20 Aug 2007 20:18:59 -0700, Rajeev
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>Making a wooden rocking cradle for nephew/niece (surprise in store!!).
>>I have made the entire piece alongwith all sides and rocker etc.
>>Needed some guidance on an ergonomic design for a handle to cut into
>>the sides. I am using 5/8" thick laminated wood board, and would like
>>to cut in a nice (read: interesting) design for the handle shape.
>>
>>Once the design is finalized, I plan to drill a pilot hole, cut with a
>>jigsaw and then rout (round over) all the edges. Any experience to be
>>shared regarding this method will also be greatly appreciated.
>>
>>Thanks in advance for your time! Regards, Rajeev.
>
>
> don't know how "interesting" it is, but I posted a detail of a handle
> cutout from an old plan that I had laying around. It's in
> alt.binaries.pictures.woodworking with the subject "Handle Cutout" and
> is, I believe, an example of what puckdropper was saying.
>
> Tom Veatch
> Wichita, KS
> USA
On Mon, 20 Aug 2007 20:18:59 -0700, Rajeev
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Making a wooden rocking cradle for nephew/niece (surprise in store!!).
>I have made the entire piece alongwith all sides and rocker etc.
>Needed some guidance on an ergonomic design for a handle to cut into
>the sides. I am using 5/8" thick laminated wood board, and would like
>to cut in a nice (read: interesting) design for the handle shape.
>
>Once the design is finalized, I plan to drill a pilot hole, cut with a
>jigsaw and then rout (round over) all the edges. Any experience to be
>shared regarding this method will also be greatly appreciated.
>
>Thanks in advance for your time! Regards, Rajeev.
don't know how "interesting" it is, but I posted a detail of a handle
cutout from an old plan that I had laying around. It's in
alt.binaries.pictures.woodworking with the subject "Handle Cutout" and
is, I believe, an example of what puckdropper was saying.
Tom Veatch
Wichita, KS
USA