This crib was built and designed by David from DK Builds. The project combines precision joinery, elegant hardwood, and thoughtful design to create a beautiful, long-lasting piece of nursery furniture.
If you’re interested in building high-quality furniture, David’s YouTube channel is full of woodworking projects that balance form and function. His build process offers valuable lessons for woodworkers at any level.
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Why Build a Crib from Cherry?
Solid cherry is a popular hardwood for furniture thanks to its strength, workability, and warm, rich color. It’s a great choice for a crib, offering both durability and a timeless look that will age gracefully over the years.
Building a crib by hand allows for customization, attention to detail, and the opportunity to ensure safety at every step. David’s design includes practical features that make the crib easy to assemble and safe for a growing child.
Preparing the Wood and Cutting the Legs
David began by carefully selecting and preparing his cherry stock. The wood was milled flat and square before being marked and cut for the crib’s tapered legs.
A full-size template ensured each leg had matching tapers. He rough-cut the shapes using a bandsaw, followed by smoothing with a hand plane for a clean finish.
Creating Joinery for the Frame
The main frame of the crib is assembled using deep bridle joints between the legs and rails. David used a shop-made jig to safely cut the joints at the top of each leg with clean, square results.
To minimize chipout, a sacrificial board was clamped alongside each piece. He then cut the horizontal tenons on the rails using the table saw and refined the surfaces with a router plane to ensure even glue surfaces.
Building and Attaching the Slats
For the crib’s slatted sides, David resawed 18 cherry boards to create 36 identical slats. He created a custom dowel jig to help drill precise holes in each slat and frame rail.
Each slat was attached using two dowels per end, totaling 144 dowel holes across the project. He used dividers to maintain perfect spacing between the slats, ensuring a consistent and polished look.
To make assembly easier, he only glued one end of each dowel connection at first. The other side was left dry until final assembly, allowing the parts to come together without unnecessary tension.
Edges of each slat were rounded over to eliminate sharp corners, providing a safer surface for a baby’s hands. The roundovers also added a refined, professional appearance to the crib.
Final Assembly of the Crib
Once all the parts were prepared, David turned his attention to assembly. The design uses bolts tapped directly into the hardwood to attach the sides and the mattress platform, making the crib easy to take apart and reassemble.
The crib went together quickly—just five minutes with an allen wrench. Any slight gaps or issues, like a broken dowel, were corrected using wedges, glue, and hand tools to maintain a flawless fit.
Pin spacing for the joints was marked with a jig for visual consistency. These small details gave the finished piece a cohesive, balanced look.
Mattress Platform and Finishing Touches
The mattress platform was built with a hardwood frame and a securely fit plywood panel. Cherry edging around the platform matched the rest of the crib and concealed the plywood edges.
Chamfers were added to the bottom of the legs to prevent splintering during use and movement. David emphasized using a baby-safe finish—something that’s essential for any furniture used around infants.
He applied the finish evenly, bringing out the natural beauty of the cherry without introducing harmful chemicals. The result was a crib that’s as safe as it is beautiful.
A Thoughtful and Functional Design
The final design includes three adjustable mattress heights. This allows the crib to grow with the baby and stay useful through multiple stages of development.
The hardware and joinery make it easy to disassemble, store, or move. It’s a great example of woodworking that balances form, safety, and long-term practicality.
See the Full Build
If you’re considering building your own crib or just enjoy detailed woodworking content, this project is worth watching from start to finish. David’s process highlights craftsmanship, careful planning, and problem-solving on the fly.
Please support David by visiting his Etsy Store and buying his plans.