Curly Walnut Cradle

[Kevin Brown]

Well I finally completed a cradle that was suppose to be done by Sept 1 when the our 3rd son arrived, but with everything else going on I'm just now getting it finished.

This walnut was purchased from a fellow Creeker Max Schultz way back in Feb of this year and is the first time I have used any of it, it has the most awesome curl I've ever seen, and is WAY above my skill level

I only have 2 pics for now but will try to get a better shot of the grain later.

cradle 003.jpg
this is the cradle from a distance (so you cant see my mistakes)

cradle 002.jpg
and a shot of the proud new owner (and a gloat for mom and dad )

[Dave Richards]

Way cool! That is a beautiful use of the wood and the owner does look proud. The builder should be as well.

[John Miliunas]

Kevin, what mistakes??? The crib looks great and you're right about the wood, too! Gorgeous! And, your "stealth" gloat is a handsome looking lad, as well! You done good on both counts!

[lou sansone]

good looking kid and the cradle is nice also..love walnut, it is the king of the forest

lou

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Beautiful wood, cradle and kid!

[Rick de Roque]

Great work. And the cradle looks good as well.

[Andy Howard]

That cradle looks great. I love the wood.

Can I ask what finish you have on there?

I am working on a project that will be walnut and maple, with some curl in each, and am now thinking about how to finish it.

Thanks
Andy

[Don Baer]

Beutiful work on both counts

[Jason Tuinstra]

The grain looks fantastic! Very nice project overall.

[Kevin Brown]

Thanks everyone for your kind words.

Andy,

I used Jeff Jewitt's method from the April 05 issue of FWW, it works pretty well but you have to do a few test pieces to adjust for the color you want, because you can't tell what the final color will be until you done all the steps to his process.

cradle 004.jpg
here are a few pieces in "raw" form, some pieces are lighter than others (even the white sap wood is curly)

cradle 005.jpg cradle.jpg

these are a couple of the finished pieces, the color is alot more even the the pictures show.

[John Miliunas]

Kevin, I repeat myself but, that is some gorgeous, gorgeous wood! Wonder if Max has anymore??? How did it machine for you? Any problems with tearout while jointing/planing?

[Vaughn McMillan]

Great job Kevin. The wood is stunning, and the execution looks excellent from where I'm sitting. And a big congrats on the new addition to the family, too. (Any word yet on who the father is?) [ducks and runs] - Vaughn

[John Miliunas]

(Any word yet on who the father is?) [ducks and runs] - Vaughn

You're a brave man, Vaughn! 'Course, it does help that you're on the opposite side of the country, too!

[Mark Cothren]

That is just beautiful! Great looking kid! You should be proud on both "projects"....

[Kevin Brown]

John,

YES! had some major tear out in the beginning, you find out very quickly which tools needs to be sharpened

One of the uprights has a huge dutchman type patch in it where the thru tenon for th stretcher goes (I tried to get a shot of it but it's just to dark to see in the room)
and a few of the slats on the side have "chips" in them, but not to noticeable.

I haven't talked to Max for a long time, but I did take all the lumber he had the last time I did