| Project by Jack Dalton | posted 09-03-2015 07:16 PM | 5560 views | 6 times favorited | 13 comments |  |
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When we learned we would soon have our first Great Grandchild I thought of making a cradle. When I asked my mentors, Karson Morrison and Bill Jefferson for ideas they had two tips. First, don’t build a cradle that sits on the floor, it is too cold there. Second, it will only be used for a few months till they out-grow it.
So Karson shared his plans and Bill shared some wood from a walnut tree cut from a neighbor’s tree.
My idea was to build it and include a book showing the construction process, some family history, and a place for each child using it, so it can be passed down to future generations.
I tell people the thirty spindles are “similar” not “identical” because my turning skills are still developing.
My wife and one of our daughters made the bedding and the picture shows the first occupant.
-- I leave behind little bits of beauty to compensate for for my impact on this world.
13 comments so far
BurlyBob
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10410 posts in 3717 days
#1 posted 09-03-2015 07:59 PM
What a great family heirloom. It’s looks wonderful and the last photo is the best!
ohwoodeye
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#2 posted 09-03-2015 08:26 PM
Gorgeous. Almost makes me want to have another baby just so I can make one of these…........okay, maybe not….but it still looks very nice.
-- "Fine Woodworking" is the name given to a project that takes 3 times longer than normal to finish because you used hand tools instead of power tools. ----Mike, Waukesha, WI
observer100
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#3 posted 09-03-2015 11:34 PM
Beautiful project! The photos show the quality well.
-- Seeing is believing.
dustyal
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#4 posted 09-04-2015 01:29 AM
Great job Jack. Quite a long term memory maker. The walnut is classic. Documenting is very important to the history. Congrats on the cradle’s content! And it is great that we have friends like Karson and Bill J.
-- Al H. - small shop, small projects...
exelectrician
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#5 posted 09-04-2015 02:24 AM
Beautiful workmanship on the cradle.
The last photo warmed my heart ,,,, Life anew!!! Wow!
-- Love thy neighbour as thyself
bruc101
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1556 posts in 4994 days
#6 posted 09-04-2015 04:56 AM
It’s more beautiful than awesome. Excellent craftsmanship and the new owner will be able to put it’s grandchild in it one day. Beautiful blessings of a new baby in the family lying in no doubt will be a family heirloom cradle.
Congrats on the new grand…they’re awesome in their own special way.
-- Bruce Free Plans & Calculators https://traditionalwoodworking.org
Mikesawdust
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330 posts in 4491 days
#7 posted 09-04-2015 09:20 AM
beautiful, as far as the turning I would rather have that slight variation than something that looks store bought. I’m sure many generations will notice it was built from love by someone with real skills.
-- You never cut a piece to short, you are just prepping that piece for a future project
Ottacat
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#8 posted 09-04-2015 12:00 PM
Truly beautiful, I too love the last photo.
Ron Tocknell
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#9 posted 09-04-2015 02:09 PM
This is a beautiful pieceof traditional craftsmanship! An antique of the future to be sure! Thanks for sharing.
helluvawreck
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#10 posted 09-04-2015 02:26 PM
Jack, that is a real beauty.
helluvawreck aka Charles
http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
-- helluvawreck aka Charles, http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
david38
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3518 posts in 3795 days
#11 posted 09-04-2015 02:32 PM
beautiful cradle
jim1953
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#12 posted 09-06-2015 01:54 AM
Great Lookin Cradle
-- Jim, Kentucky
a1Jim
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#13 posted 09-06-2015 02:05 AM
wonderful,beautiful and the cradle too.
-- https://www.artisticwoodstudio.com/videos
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