Cradle project

11/27/04, 4:00 AM #1

Steve S., Coastal GA
Guest

Cradle project

Steve S., Coastal GA

>Hi everyone,

Recently some close friends of mine had their first baby. I've done a few regular through dovetails, but I've always wanted to try a project with angled dovetails. This was my first go at it. The layout's a bit more tedious but fairly simple. Otherwise the cutting and chisel work is pretty much the same as regular through dovetails.

The design is mostly my own, based on some dimensions from a free plan on the web. The wood's bigleaf western maple, with a bit of fiddleback figure I picked up for pretty cheap. Finished with honeytone amber dye stain from Lee Valley followed by 3 coats of a wiped on varnish/oil mix.

Steve

Re: Cradle project

11/27/04, 4:05 AM #2

Steve S., Coastal GA
Guest

Cradle project - footboard end

Steve S., Coastal GA

>End view of dovetails. BTW these are the first pics I've done here, is it possible to put multiple pictures in a single post?

Steve

Re: Cradle project

11/27/04, 5:38 AM #3

Bill Houghton
Member
Offline
8,480 posts

Registered: 1/1/70

Pretty doggone fine

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

>What an outstanding baby gift! I predict you're going to get to hold that baby whenever you want.

Re: Cradle project

11/27/04, 12:29 PM #4

Robin Frierson
Guest

Re: Cradle project

Robin Frierson

>Looks like you now have an heirloom cradle. Very nice job, one you should be very proud of.

Re: Cradle project

11/27/04, 1:42 PM #5

Don Thompson - Cutler Ridge, Florida
Guest

Re: Cradle project

Don Thompson - Cutler Ridge, Florida

>Very nice! The idea of laying out angled dovetails makes my head hurt. They look like they came out quite well.

Re: Cradle project

11/27/04, 6:19 PM #6

Jim in Burlington Ont.
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Offline
2,041 posts

Registered: 11/15/17
Location: Burlington Ontario

Re: Cradle project

Jim in Burlington Ontario

>Fantastic great gift

Re: Cradle project

11/27/04, 7:39 PM #7

Alan Hamilton
Guest

Beautiful; prodigious even!

Alan Hamilton

>

Re: Cradle project

11/27/04, 9:56 PM #8

Steve S., Coastal GA
Guest

The layout trick...

Steve S., Coastal GA

>I started with squared up ends, then cut the angles (15 degrees in this case)and save the wedge-shaped offcut pieces. Scribe your depth lines like you normally would. Then layout the tails but instead of referencing your bevel guage against the end of the board use the offcut piece to register the guage. This way your tails will extend out parallel with the grain instead of perpendicular to the end like with some goofy router jig would do. Cut out the tails, then use them to mark the pins on the end grain. Once again use the offcut to reference your square and carry the pin lines down to the scribe line. Cut and chop the pins and you're set.

If that's clear as mud a pic makes it easier to understand:

Re: Cradle project

11/27/04, 10:02 PM #9

Steve S., Coastal GA
Guest

layout pic

Steve S., Coastal GA

>

Re: Cradle project

11/27/04, 10:14 PM #10

Dan Donaldson
Member
Offline
5,264 posts

Registered: 9/17/01

Mutiple pictures

Dan Donaldson

>First, very nice cradle. The DT's look great.

As far as multiple pictures in one post, here is a link to the faq. There is a question that describes how to do it. The main thing is that in order to post multiple pictures, you must get them up to a server somewhere, either on your own website if you have one, or on one of the free or low cost ones out on the web. Be aware that some of the free ones limit the number of views per hour or day.

- - -

I have been woodworking for about 25 years now, and would consider myself an enthusiastic amateur. My claim to fame (or infamy) has always been fixing stuff. I spent time in the Air Force in the 60's then went to work as an electronic technician for civil service. I finally got my EE, and being fed up with the civil service nonsense, took a job with Ford Motor Company until I went with the split to Visteon last year. I got interested in music and started playing in a bluegrass band. I wanted a new guitar, and that kind of led me into woodworking. I bought some books, a few tools, and built a guitar. Luckily, I didn't know any better than to try that as a first ever project. I still play it when I get a chance, so it must not be too bad if it can live for over 20 years. After a stint in Mexico for my job, I moved into a new house and built a small shop. Since then I have been collecting tools and skills, probably more of the former than the latter ;-). Finding this site has done more for my skills and enjoyment than anything else. I have learned a lot and really enjoy the friendships that I have made here. I have been married to LOML (Lori) for 32 years now and have 6 kids. When they are all gone, I want to get a 1 bedroom house (so there is not room for them to move back in) and at least a 6 car heated/air conditioned garage for a shop. (Dream on...)

Re: Cradle project

11/28/04, 2:51 PM #11

Don Thompson - Cutler Ridge, Florida
Guest

Aha! Thanks for the explanation.

Don Thompson - Cutler Ridge, Florida

>

Re: Cradle project

11/28/04, 5:41 PM #12

Victor Parisian
Guest

Very nice work. Lucky Friends:)

Victor Parisian

>

Cradle project

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