So we we're expecting and we started to look at cribs. We wanted a 2-1 crib that will turn into a twin. My brother in law gave us the side pieces (rails) to his old crib, so I needed to build a headboard and footboard that would go with what he gave us. My wife started to browse online for cribs that she liked and she asked for something that would resemble the "Natart Rustico Moderno Crib". So I tried my best...
Wood type: knotty pine, donated side rails were Maple (which I painted white)
Finish: White semi-gloss paint with a shellac finish
Hardware: Bolts
Finish: White semi-gloss paint with a shellac finish
Hardware: Bolts
Below is the stuff that was kindly donated to us.
The first thing I tackled was painting the side rails white.
I'm "frugal" aka cheap and bought knotty pine for the headboard and footboard. I bought some good quality prime which is supposed to help with the knots bleeding through the white paint. So I put extra coats of primer on the knots.
I then started working on the footboard. I didn't have a plan to follow so I base my measurements on the side rails that were given to me.
I had never done spindles before but it ended up working out. I used 2x2 out of pine for my spindles and I made a template for drilling into the top and base of my footboard which were 2x4's. I also looked up the safety regulations and ensure that the spacing between spindles was safe and within regulation.
Once the spindles were assembled and glued to the top and bottom 2x4's. I attached the 2x6" legs to the footboard.
The crib that my wife wanted me to replicate had some simple decorative notches in the headboard and footboard. So I decided to copy and I pulled out my router.
I planned out the headboard on a scrap piece of paper and then got to work. I used pocket holes to join all the boards.
I then drilled holes and attached everything and ensured everything lined up correctly.
Once I had everything assembled correctly. I continued working on the headboard. I used some 1/4" birch veneer which I painted grey to complete the headboard. I glued these 3 pieces to the back of the headboard. I used some random objects in the messy basement as weights.
I then worked on the finish, we was a few more coats of white paint. I then did some research for a baby safe clear coat. I chose shellac. This was the first time I used shellac and it dries quite quickly. I applied it too thick and too slowly so I ended up sanding parts of it off and restarting because there was yellow tint. It worked out in the long run but there was some trial and error. Below is a photo (left) of the yellowish overlap on my first attempt.
Project Complete!