Disassembling a Child Craft Crib

Getting Your Tools

• Inspect the crib from absolutely every angle and take an inventory of the tools you will need to disassemble the crib. For example, you may need an Allen wrench, a Phillips screwdriver and a Hex head wrench. To ensure the project goes smoothly, collect all the tools you will need before beginning so you don't have to stop halfway through to buy the correct tool. If you have the original assembly instructions, they list every piece of removable hardware used in the assembly, which will help ensure you haven't missed anything.

Storing the Pieces

• Use a storage container, like a plastic bag, for every different type of nut, bolt, screw or other hardware. Keep a strict inventory of how many pieces you remove of each type and keep the pieces stored separately somewhere safe -- where they won't get misplaced or used for another project. If you have the original assembly instructions, they list the quantities for each part so you can compare and ensure the numbers match up both after disassembling the crib and before reassembling it.

Disassembly

• If you still have the assembly instructions that came with the crib, use those to help disassemble. Start with the last assembly instruction and work your way backwards, unscrewing where it says to screw in and so on. If you no longer have the instructions, start at the top of the crib and work your way down. Disassemble one piece at a time and finish each piece before beginning the next. For example, if you begin disassembling the left guard rail, finish it and remove the guard rail before beginning on the headboard or any other piece. Do not disassemble any pieces connected with a wood screw, these screws are only designed to go in once and removing them will damage either the screws or the crib.

Considerations

• If you have a digital camera, take pictures of every single step during the disassembling process. Having this visual reference will make it much easier to reassemble the crib, as opposed to assembling it by memory. If you can't get your hands on a digital camera, consider writing out each step you take. Give each type of screw, bolt or removable hardware a specific letter, to easily reference it in your instructions. For example, your first step may read "Removed four 'A' screws from headboard." For reassembly, you can simply follow your own instructions in reverse, screwing the "A" screws in where you removed them. When reassembling the crib, Child Craft strongly warns against using parts and hardware that were not designed specifically for your crib.