Dave B. in Georgia built two pieces to mark the arrival of his first grandchild: a rocking horse in maple, black walnut and cherry, and a small cherry rocking chair sized for a toddler. Both wear a clear polyurethane finish, and the horse comes complete with a leather bridle.
The pair took about three weeks of unhurried shop time and roughly $225 in materials. Dave bought plans for the work, but found the instructions inaccurate enough that he ended up resequencing steps and interpreting his way through the rest.
In Dave’s words
He’s our first grandchild so it was a celebration and a labor of love.
The build
- Project type: Children’s furniture / toys
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Wood: Black walnut, maple and cherry
- Finish: Clear polyurethane
- Tools: Table saw, band saw, router, palm sander
- Time: About 3 weeks for both projects combined — taking his time
- Cost: Roughly $225
- Plans: Purchased plans, but the descriptions and step order weren’t accurate — he changed steps, interpreted some descriptions and then "winged it"
Biggest challenge
Since hardwood isn’t available in widths I needed to make the body and rockers, it was a little tough to get the layout and glue-ups just right so that the right joints would be strong as well as hidden.
Photos
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