Project: Doll Cradles (with Anastasiya)

[Jim Becker]

While we were "window shopping" at a local "mecca" for such things (Peddler's Village in Lahaska PA), we ventured into the doll store. Oh, my...not the best idea with a couple young girls in tow...it was "please buy this" constantly. One of the items that was pointed out, however, was a cradle designed for baby dolls. While we obviously were not going to buy anything, I did pipe up that we could make some cradles, just like we made the Barbie beds not long ago. So today, we did.

10 year old Anastasiya (Nastia) showed surprising patience with me in that I had to explain that I, a) needed to work on another small project for a bit and b) had to do a lot of work preparing the pieces to make the cradles. (I didn't want her in the shop while I was working with the power tools and I also knew it would take a few hours to get through the prep work) But at about 5:00p, I was ready for her to do the final assembly.

First things first, however...and I'll keep this as a simple pictorial 'cause there are a lot of pictures. I figure it will be useful for folks to see the various steps I took to make up this project and I have to laugh as I used a lot of tools doing it...just like I would with a larger project. So...here it goes...

Pics:

1. Layout of the ends and rocking feet using some cardstock
2. Transfer of the pattern to a piece of 1/2" plywood ripped to width
3. Crosscutting the cradle ends
4. Using the MFT to knock of the angles on the sides of the cradle ends
5. Cutting the curves on the top of the cradle ends

[Jim Becker]

Pics:

1. Sanding the edges smooth at the OSS
2. Applying edging on the sides of the cradle ends with glue and pins
3. Leveling the edge banding at the drum sander
4. Cutting out the rockers at the bandsaw (later smoothed at the OSS)
5. Rounding over the top of the cradle sides.

[Jim Becker]

Pics:

1. Rounding over the rockers...using a shop-made jig to hold the workpiece
2. Putting a slight round-over on the tops of the cradle ends and the outside corners of the sides
3. Nastia starting to assemble the first cradle. I bascially "kitted" the two cradles so that all she had to do was drive in the pocket screws (I pre-installed them and removed them to ease the process) and fasten the rockers. I already fastened the sides to the bottoms with glue and a few brads prior to letting her start work
4. Nastia continuing the assembly of the sides to the ends
5. More screw driving...

[Jim Becker]

Pics:

1. Nastia installing the screws that will hold the rockers on the bottom of the cradle...we did switch to the Festool 12v driver as driving them by hand proved to be too difficult, even with the predrilling, but I had to help her guide it and hold it up as it's a little heavy for her
2. Done!

BTW, these are made with 1/2" birch plywood and black walnut off our property. She decided not to apply a finish at this time (better for instant gratification) and I indicated we would do that when the weather got warmer.

[Jim Dunn]

Jim she need a little apron, pencil and tape. Sweet pics and a great little helper. My grand daughter is afraid of the DC so I have to wait a little longer to get her in the shop, course she's only 19month old.

[Charlie Plesums]

Neat kid, neat project, and neat pictures. When is the next installment on the blog?

[Ken Fitzgerald]

She looks like she enjoying it Dad! I know you are too! Congrats and save these photos!

[Roger Myers]

Priceless....simply priceless!

[Russ Massery]

Excellent project Jim. I very fond memories of my father and I building birdhouses in the garage. like Roger said priceless.................

[Karl Laustrup]

Great post Jim. Thanks for the step by step.

Won't be long and you can start teaching Nastia from the beginning of a project. That will be kewel.

Karl

[Howard Rosenberg]

Thank you for sharing these photos.

Your thoroughness and attention to detail might mystify your daughter now, but when she gives the cradle to HER daughter....

All the very best.
Howard

[Jim Becker]

When is the next installment on the blog?

Yesterday... http://a-j-adopt.blogspot.com

she need a little apron

I don't wear one...or even have one!

Won't be long and you can start teaching Nastia from the beginning of a project.

That will be nice, but I suspect it will be some time for that. Her 10 year old attention span is still pretty short. But she is starting to get a small inkling that many things can be possible if she/we is/are willing to make it happen. Even though I'm financially able to totally spoil these kids (at least at present...) I refuse to do so. I didn't grow up that way and I don't want them to, either. My mother taught me how to cook, sew, knit, do laundry, etc., and there is no reason why my girls can't learn how to make things, how to fix things and how things work...or don't as the case may be.

[Lou Morrissette]

Great post, Jim. Looks like a new lady Creeker coming on line soon.

Lou

[Perry Holbrook]

Nice going Jim. I wish my oldest daughter had spent some time in my shop when she was younger. Now at 30, she has no concept of what is required to build anything, and therefore doesn't appreciate hand made items as much as she should. Getting them in the shop early has many benefits for later in life.

[Brad Schmid]

The smile of accomplishment at the end, It doesn't get any better than that!