cradle for Elizabeth

[durango dude]

A cradle for Elizabeth (my daughter's American Girl)

Made from pallet wood! Frame is mostly oak, cradle is pine.

[cabinetman]

Nice looking...well done. What did you use for the pivot, and do you have a finish in mind?

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[durango dude]

cm - I used my lathe to make a tapered dowel. (see 4th photo). The taper holds it into the cradle body like a corkscrew. Then used a forstner's bit to create a 1/2" deep slot on the frame (you can see that in the 4th photo, as well). The tapered dowel fits perfect (router would be better - but I haven't finished my router table)

I stained the wood with some fruitwood stain. I don't like varnish, much --- have never been good at it --- so it messes up my projects more than it finishes them.

My daughter is very happy with plain ole stain.

Feet ---- lap joint
Cradle assembly -- pocket hole screws
Frame assembly ---- dowels.

Kind of fun using such a wide variety of methods---- helps improve my abilities.

[Pappy]

Your daughter would have been happy, and proud, without the stain....

Nice work!

[harpinche]

Oh man, this looks really nice! I wish I could get to work of this stature. What was the first thing you made?

[BadeMillsap]

Very nice ... heirloom for sure!

[chopnhack]

That's some mighty fine pallet wood there DD! Good job

[Bill in Buena Park]

Missed this on the first pass - very nice work with the reclaimed lumber!

[cabinetman]

I stained the wood with some fruitwood stain. I don't like varnish, much --- have never been good at it --- so it messes up my projects more than it finishes them.

My daughter is very happy with plain ole stain.

I can understand your dislike for "varnish", as some woods and finishes look and feel more natural without some topcoating. My suggestion is to consider using a film finish in an almost flat sheen. It will help to keep the wood clean, prevent fraying, and be less subjective to movement issues.

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[Crockett]

Made from pallet wood!! That's amazing DD! Great job on a beautiful piece!