How to Make a Homemade Crib

Peel away rough bark with a draw knife if you're using raw wood or logs to build the crib. Sand down remaining rough patches with fine-grain sandpaper.

Cut the logs or long wood boards using a hand saw into four posts measuring 5 inches in diameter and 4 1/2 feet long and four side rails, each 3 1/2 inches in diameter and 5 1/2 feet long.

Use the hand saw to cut four branches or short wood boards into 40-inch, 3 1/2-inch diameter end rails. Cut 14 into 30-inch, 1 1/2-inch diameter end rungs and 30 into 24-inch, 1 1/2-inch side rungs.

Draw a 2-inch circle on the center of each rail with a marker. This marks the tenon size. Draw another circle 7 1/4 inches from the end of each rail to mark the tenon length.

Use a chainsaw to cut each rail along the tenon length. If you are using thick logs, rotate them to shave them down to a 2-inch diameter. After shaving, sand each rail until smooth.

Mark hole centers at 14 inches and 38 inches on each post. Use a drill and a 2 1/8-inch self-feed bit to drill a hole at each mark. Rotate the posts 90 degrees. Mark and drill hole centers at 10 1/2 inches and 41 1/2 inches.

Assemble the posts and rails into a rectangle. Place the crib mattress in the center to ensure it fits. If it doesn't, shave the wood down a bit more.

Lay each rung vertically, 3 1/4 inches apart, across the crib frame. Mark their position by running a strip of masking tape across the top and bottom horizontal rails once you position the rungs correctly.

Remove the masking tape and use a 1 1/4-inch drill bit to drill holes for the rungs.

Slide a rung into each hole. Apply carpenter's glue to the top and bottom of each rung. Allow the glue to dry for 24 hours.

Use a 5/8-inch drill bit to drill a hole straight down through each tenon. Slide one 6-inch tapered dowel through each hole.

Apply non-toxic polyurethane stain to seal and protect the wood. This allows raw wood to keep its natural appearance. Use non-toxic paint if you want to give the crib color. Place the mattress in the crib after the paint or stain dries.