Thread: My sons new basinet / cot / bed

Then here are the photos, as they aren't on the first post (I think, tried so many times to get the thread happening forget what iteration this one is up to )

The sides slide up and down using a DIY mechanism that I made out of some pieces of 2mm brass plate and some larger wood screws with the tops cut off them. Work rather well actually once it is put together. Much neater I think than that external ones you can purchase.

nice work,

Now the questions that always get asked

Whats the timber?
What finish was used?

It is Victorian Ash. Got it from Mathews Timber.

I stumbled my way through the finish side of things, having until now only used basic stains and urethane varnish. To start with I used a walnut traditional spirit stain, which as you can guess, doesn't work under shellac, d'oh! Probably should have read up on shellac a bit earlier. Thankfully I tested that out on some scrap pieces first, otherwise it would have been rather messy. So then I put on top of the spirit stain a walnut water based stain, which then held fine when you put the shellac on, luckily. So the colour is a bit weird, but it works.

Then I used shellac, four coats I think it was, put on using a brush. Going to try a more traditional French polish with the next project (TV cabinet). Then used, I think it is, Organoil Traditional Wax, which is citrus oil and beeswax. Used too much of it I think even though I thought I wasn't using much at all, but hey, it was my first attempt.

This was my first wood project where I made it from scratch from raw timber planks. Before I have always done things with dressed pine from the hardware store. So was bit of a big step for me. My wife thinks I just wanted to get all the new toys to help with it.

So many things I would do differently when I do it again. Thoroughly enjoyed it though. Wouldn't recommend doing quite a lot of it the way I did, for sure. But got there in the end to something that I am rather happy with.

OK, now that the pictures and the thread are approved, I'm gonna delete the unnecessary posts.

Dr - keep posting, you are going fine with all the newbie posting stuff, i.e. having just registered even though you've been lurking.

Gra - Don't Tempt Me :P

Now that the mod'ing work is done, I can take the time to have a good hard look at the cot.

It's a rippa!! It already looks like an heirloom and I'd have to say that's due to the lovely shaping, but more so to the colour. Even though you had a bit of trouble with it, it has come out well. I'm glad it's not 100% uniform as I think it has more character than if it were 100% the same all over.

Yep, Greenie fired
cheers
Wendy

Thanks

Here are some better photos that I promised.

First one shows the size of the cot ends plus the shorter bed end that will use when convert into a bed.

Second is side view of the cot with the side up, third with the side down.

If you want to see some more photos (still editing descriptions etc at the moment), you can see them by going here .

Nice work on a special project DR.

Dr that is awesome work, you should be very proud. and you have already done the pieces to convert to a bed. way too organised (If you had of held off, would have given you an excuse to buy more equipment )

Welcome aboard and keep posting

Good to see you around these parts Dallas

Well done.

There is a lot of woodworking in that cot.

Yes, the internal slide mechanism is much better. No metal to fight with and it looks much neater.

"Two nights sleep" !! - enjoy it while it lasts.

Thought I should add on here another image of the cot, now with the bed on the second level. Will get it down to the bottom level in another couple or months or so, will post one in that set up then.

It is a good looking cot.

My grandson is now 4 and has moved on to a full size bed.

The cot is in the lounge room and being used as a settee.
The two mattress heights aren't quite right for a settee so next time I visit I might add another set of holes.

My grandson can be pretty rough but the cot has handled the punishment well and still looks good.
I am sure yours will also have many years of enjoyment in it too.

What I should have done was put covers over the top sections of the timber, so he couldn't chew on it

Thankfully it is nothing too deep and will be able to do a decent repair job.

The plan is to make another end and base, then will be able to use parts for the next child. At a guess, my son should be able to use this project until he is 6-8 or so, as can convert into a bed, with safety sides to start with, then no sides and a short / low end.

Really nice!!

Dr DBW would you mind posting a couple of shots of the sliding mechanism - I am really interested in how they work?