It’s been a long time since I posted. Been doing some lurking and looks like there are still a lot of familiar faces and names. After a far too long hiatus from woodworking I’m finally able to get back into the shop. Between a move, new job with a lot more responsibility, etc, life just seemed to get I the way.
As is usually the case, there is a special project that has drawn me back to the shop. I will become a grandfather for the first time in a couple of months, so decided I better get my act in gear! A cradle is first on the list of projects.
I would really like to build this http://books.google.ca/books?id=0vkD...page&q&f=false with the hand cut dovetails, though I didn’t really like the idea of the cradle just sitting on the upright, held by gravity. Some additional search led me to these plans http://www.amazon.com/Childrens-Furn...y+cradle+plans
Since I will be shipping this halfway across the country, and because there will be move in their future, I’d like to make it as knockdown as possible. The plans in the book use a captured nut to connect the uprights and the stretcher, but the cradle is one piece. I’d really like to make the side separate from the ends.
My first question relates to that connection. Would a captured bolt http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/pag...,43455&p=67659 be better than a threaded insert? Either way, the rail will be captured in a shallow mortise for stability. And since the hardware will show, are there any sources for something with a decorative end cap? I will be using cherry, so a brass accent would work well.
Any other ideas or suggestions will be appreciated.