Replies

1. 
   Glaucon | Nov 09, 2005 07:05pm | #1

   I'd use soft.  It's really a misnomer, as "soft" maple is plenty hard.  Hard or rock (sugar) maple is even harder, but you aren't building a bowling alley or a dance floor.

   Most of the figured maples (tiger, bird's eye) are soft.  I think you will find soft maple to be plenty durable, and will work somewhat like cherry.  If you want, you could even use a few pieces of tiger or BE in special places (front panels, etc). I made a bookcase of cherry (sides, top and bottom), with maple shelves, and the contrast is pretty, particularly as the cherry darkens.

   Make sure that you measure and plan the spaces between and rails/posts/balusters carefully- little arms, legs and necks get drawn to these spaces like magnets to a refigerator...

   Glaucon

   If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...

1. 
   berlinbrian | Nov 09, 2005 08:36pm | #2

   Thanks. The plan was purchased from a reputable source (Rockler) and it indicates that it meets some federal standards,etc. It also strictly admonishes the reader not to make changes unless they REALLY know what they are doing will be safe, etc.

1. 
   SqueezeOutHater | Nov 10, 2005 12:29am | #3

   I built a crib this summer for our first child.  I looked at the Rockler plan but wanted something different.  I designed my own.  It is made out of 8/4 maple, cherry and a dash of walnut in the end panels. 

   As for wood choice...oak seems a little too splinter prone if he chews the spindles.  As mentioned previously any of the maples will be pleanty tough.  MDF is huge in the commercial crib industry!  You have a lucky baby!

   2 3/8" is the magic number for the gap between the spindles (I made mine 2 3/16 just to make sure).  Also you may want to buy your mattress first, measure it 3 or 4 times and then build.  This is what I did and with a recessed panel I am about 2" long...which is nothing to a full sized person, but dang the babies have small feet:)  I got a dense foam pad made at an upholstery shop to take up the gap.  I also used doug fir slats for the under mattress support which do flex a little for junior's comfort.  I cannot wait till he can jump!  Upon completion of the crib the wife requested a changing table to match...and then it grew to a low dresser 40" long with 3 tiers of drawers.  I'll attach some pictures when I get home. 

   Cheers

   SqueezeOutHater

1. 
   sawdusterII | Nov 10, 2005 04:37am | #4

   In addition to spacing between the spindles you must be carefull not to leave any projection such as a finial which can catch babies undershirt and strangle.  I have a vague memory that the industry suffered some such crack down years ago.

1. 
   SqueezeOutHater | Nov 10, 2005 06:09am | #6

   You are correct!  Finials/posts/anything projecting up must be at least 14" tall (maybe higher I am not positive on the standard).  Here is mine.

2. 
   WillGeorge | Nov 11, 2005 03:05am | #7

   I agree Maple is pretty safe for most folks..2 3/8" is the magic number for the gap between the spindles AND something made to hold the safety nets they sell..I have a CRIB I made LONG ago.. Four children and five Grandbabies slept in it... I think a month or two! Dang.. CRIB is much more useful.. Use the same slat spacing as for the CRIB.. Kids don't care what it looks like as long as they can see OUT!

3. 
   tinkerer2 | Nov 11, 2005 04:47am | #8

        I made a cradle for my new grandson a few years ago.  I think it might have been the Rockler design.  The instructions gave the federal tolerance for the spacing but the blueprints exceeded that spacing an idy bit.  I put in an extra spindle to stay within the federal specs. and had no trouble.

2. 
   nikkiwood | Nov 10, 2005 06:07am | #5

   I vote for hard maple. I don't find it any more or less difficult to work with than soft maple, but the color is more uniform (the soft often has gray/brown streaks in it).

   I would suggest you go to lumber yard and compare the two side-by-side to see what you think. Try denting the two with your finger nail, and you'll see that soft maple is really more like pine. Be sure to pick up two similarly sized boards, and you will see how much heavier the hard maple is when compared to the soft.

   Around here, hard maple is about twice the price of soft maple.

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   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-