Thread: Baby rattle finishing question

Paraffin and Mineral Oil make a safe, non-toxic finish. I put about a half cup of Mineral Oil in a small (1/2 pint) jar, in a pan of water. Try to keep the heat to just under a roiling boil. Then I put in about 2 Tablespoons of grated paraffin. Let it melt, and stir with an ice cream stick.
Then I'd warm the rattle, and put on the hot oil mixture, and let it cool to room temp. Buff off the excess stuff, and it's done.
Someone else may have a better idea... )

That sounds OK, Al. Maybe use bees wax?
Toni, if it were I, the rattle/toy would be turned at least 44+mm diameter, so baby could not get it inside its mouth. I would worry about choking on the rattle, or on a part of it that either broke off, or baby chewed off (when teeth come in). Here is a cool baby rattle plan >> http://www.woodturner.org/products/a...tle_fall04.pdf

SHELLAWAX is 100% safe (once the solvents have evaporated) all ingredients can be found in use for polishing such things as M&M's, pharmaceutical coatings, apples and much more.

Mineral Oil (paraffin oil as it's commonly known here in Oz) is safe, yes, but it is also used as a laxative so I'm pretty well sure I wouldn't be putting it on a babies rattle especially as it is a non drying oil. Most other oils can go rancid and quite toxic.

Most waxes are also fine for this use but they naturally attract dirt and grime to their surface especially when warmed by the hands.

I would also look very carefully at the timber you use as many of them can be a lot more unsuitable for bubs than the finish, some are toxic and many contain oils etc that I wouldn't want to see a child putting in their mouth.

Cheers - Neil

Gotta agree with Neil; for a baby's rattle I wouldn't use oil.

I'd have said a good beeswax/carnauba combo but Shellawax would be easier to apply. I've never tried it, so I'm a bit curious about his statement "once the solvents have evaporated" ... like... how long would this take?

Few minutes. You can chew it but don't drink it!

Solvents are pure alcohol and about 5% turpentine.

I have made several Baby rattles and I always use Mineral Oil as the finish. I also add a bit of Pariffin. Soak the Pariffin in the oil and it disolves. Then take the oil/wax mixture and soak the piece then rub briskly with a soft cotton cloth, A coupole of applications and a gentile luster will apear.

The Mineral Oil is available at local Pharmacy as well as the Pariffin which is used as a seal for canning and such.

Gill that is a great rattle project. I'll try them for the "one on the way" next granddaughter. As for the Mineral Oil giving them the runs, All babies have the runs all the time (thats what they do best) but I don't think the oil in the wood has any effect on them. I have used it on each of my Grandkids with no ill effects. The oil will dry and glaze over if you add additional Pariffin.

Each of my kids have their own keepsakes Rattle, complete with teeth marks. (Grandson #1 stayed Constipated all the time and I'm sure his mom would have loved a little lubrication from time to time if the Mineral Oil leeched out.)

I have made a few baby rattles from wood.
Used beech. When finished sanding, Wet it to raise the grain. and sanded again. Why use any finish. If and when it is chewed as it will be, the finish will probably be removed.

Fred.

Well then what kind of wood would be best? Never crossed my mind about the wood. The finish did. Because I am going to make 2. As I am going to be an auntie again..Give me bubba...give me bubbas.. This girl goes to heaven..Hmm perhaps that why we stopped at 5.. anyway now I am getting sidetracked... I was going to make her soemthing special too.
Toni

Originally Posted by lubbing5cherubs

Well then what kind of wood would be best? .
Toni

Toni - I don't know what else you have there but make sure you don't use your Dad's Gidgee - very nasty!

That sounds OK, Al. Maybe use bees wax?
Toni, if it were I, the rattle/toy would be turned at least 44+mm diameter, so baby could not get it inside its mouth. I would worry about choking on the rattle, or on a part of it that either broke off, or baby chewed off (when teeth come in). Here is a cool baby rattle plan >> http://www.woodturner.org/products/a...tle_fall04.pdf

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Gil, Thanks for the link, darn good rattle it'l come in handy as the first Grandchild has arrived. Next thing some research on suitable timber

Your a regular fountain of info, very handy

I would think that a hard, or rock, Maple (or maybe Birch) would be fairly neutral, but I have just those “guesses”. Due those species grow way down yonder?

Originally Posted by Happy amateur

I have made a few baby rattles from wood.
Used beech. When finished sanding, Wet it to raise the grain. and sanded again. Why use any finish. If and when it is chewed as it will be, the finish will probably be removed.

Fred.

Careful!!!

According to a reference book I have in front of me (WOOD for woodturners by Mark Baker - Guilf of Master Craftsman Publicatons Ltd)
all of the Beech's listed have "Possible Health Risks" and one or moore of the following i.e. Dermatitis, eye irritation, decrease in lung function and rare incidence of nasal cancer.

Without going through them all Red Gum has no known problems listed. (If you can get Red Gum). Maple warning only lists possible health risks as "Dust May Effect Lung Function" but I assume this is a warning for wood turners, and I assume he/she has not caught this bug yet.

ALSO

Copy of email (in part) from Gilly Stephensons on an enquiry from me on this subject.

The Carnauba Polish is wonderful as a finishing polish but it does contain some turpentine - however we find as it is emulsified it is not a lot of turpentine and as far as we have surmised from other users we think the small amount must evaporate like alcohol does when it is cooked, as no one seems to have any problems with it.

If you are very conscious about it our Orange Oil is completely non toxic but it will be more of a satin finish than the gloss you can achieve with the Carnauba Polish.

All the best with your bowls

Regards

Alice Platt

GILLY STEPHENSON'S WAXES & POLISHES
www.gillystephenson.com

Hope this helps.
Bruce

Originally Posted by lubbing5cherubs

Hi today I been asked can I make a baby rattle,

Why would you want to make a baby rattle, goo, ahh maybe, but rattle?

Al :confused:

I would suggest walnut oil. it leaves good finish and you can drink it stright from the bottle and it will cause no harm as it is a natural nut oil. As long as the baby is not alegeric to walnuts. I made a rattle for my son and it works great. it does have a darker color so i may discolor the wood slightly. they also make a walnut oil wax. tried both, same results.