Baby Crib Spindles & Tips
Is a Template Worthwhile?

Attractive baby crib spindles for your Crib are not just for wood-turners. You can make them using worthwhile templates. The baby crib spindle template make great "spindles". You need to make 52 good spindles, which may take 54-56, in case you make a mistake.

You can use maple, oak, or any solid hardwood to make the Baby Crib and spindles. You need extra precaution when routing oak on edge. The pictures show the template and jig to make both sides of the spindles. This template is my own design, and not part of the original copyrighted plans.

Rockler copyrights the Original Plans. By law, I cannot send them to you.

You can order the copyrighted Rockler Plans for the 3-in-1 Baby Crib Here.

All of the details are on that page, including how to get my modifications to make a solid baby crib and spindles.

A Few Tips for the Baby Crib Spindles:

1. Use 5/4 hardwood. Plane smooth and square. Final dimension is 2" wide x 27" long.

2. Use a bandsaw to resaw 5/4 hardwood. This should net slightly greater than 1/2" thick by 27" long. You get two boards this way. It save you a lot of money compared to buying 3/4" thick hardwood and planning to 1/2". See the Bandsaw Tips page for Resawing Ideas. (Opens in new window.)

3. Plane to 1/2" thick.

4. Setup the 2" x 27" piece of wood on the template. Trace the template design onto the wood. Bandsaw about 1/16" outside the line, mainly on the two curves.

5. Use a sharp quality router bit. A straight bit with a bearing on the shank works great. I recommend a 3/4" diameter straight bit and around 1 1/4" long. This prevents any deflection.
See the Best Router Bits section, if you need a sharp router bit. (Opens in new window.)
Or Contact me below.

6. The main concern is on the front edge of each side, as circled in the picture.

7. You may experience tear out on the front edge of each side. Therefore, go lightly on the front edge. Just after the front curve, you are able to match the template including the back curve. I include additional tips in the package I will send you.

This is the reason you need these Additional tips.

Mistake – don't do it

If you would like to see what could happen without the climb cut, see the picture below. This occurred on the first crib I made. You don't need this to happen to you.

Soon you will be done with the baby crib spindles. Here is a picture of what the crib spindles look like after using the template. They are ready for a roundover router bit.

You gain a lot of satisfaction making these Baby Crib Spindles!

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