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Drop-side cot mechanism

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l...@jeffrey-rogers.co.uk

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Feb 11, 1999, 3:00:00 AM2/11/99
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As I am about to become a Dad, one project I have in mind is to build a cot.
I have found a source for a nice looking cot, but it is from the US. Does
anyone know of a UK supplier of the drop-side mechanism used on cots?

TIA

Laurence

135 days to go!

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James Day

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Feb 12, 1999, 3:00:00 AM2/12/99
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On Thu, 11 Feb 1999 12:22:40 GMT, l...@jeffrey-rogers.co.uk wrote:


Hi,

>As I am about to become a Dad, one project I have in mind is to build a cot.
>I have found a source for a nice looking cot, but it is from the US. Does
>anyone know of a UK supplier of the drop-side mechanism used on cots?
>
>TIA

Are you sure you actually need drop sides - I've never seen anybody
use them.

Do make sure however that you can adjust the depth of the cot.
>
>
>135 days to go!

Enjoy it while you can :- )


James (Father of three)


Jon Rouse

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Feb 12, 1999, 3:00:00 AM2/12/99
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l...@jeffrey-rogers.co.uk wrote in article
<79ui2c$ma2$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...

> As I am about to become a Dad, one project I have in mind is to build a
cot.
> I have found a source for a nice looking cot, but it is from the US.
Does
> anyone know of a UK supplier of the drop-side mechanism used on cots?

You mean a screw eye and a steel rod?

Please make sure you read all the latest safety standards on cot design, as
they have varied considerably over the years. Spacing of the bars is very
important and the use of bumpers is no longer recommended, as they can
suffocate the baby when its small, and act as a step up when its a bit
bigger.


rajeev...@gecm.com

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Feb 12, 1999, 3:00:00 AM2/12/99
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In article <01be5685$921e9730$5f585790@itmo15485>,

Information you receive at ante-natal classes will tell you about bar spacing.

I built my own cot on top of the box that goes over where the stairs cut into
the small bedroom. The drop side was effected by putting the side in two
runners and using a wooden peg affair through the cot side into the runner.

--
Rajeev Gupte
Programme Manager
GEC-Marconi Avionics

Charles (Joe) Stahelin

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Feb 14, 1999, 3:00:00 AM2/14/99
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In article <79ui2c$ma2$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>, l...@jeffrey-rogers.co.uk
writes

>As I am about to become a Dad, one project I have in mind is to build a cot.
>I have found a source for a nice looking cot, but it is from the US. Does
>anyone know of a UK supplier of the drop-side mechanism used on cots?

Try Isaac Lord, High Wycombe, Bucks. Detailed address in FAQ Pt 6
--
Charles (Joe) Stahelin,
Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK.

Alistair McDonald

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Feb 16, 1999, 3:00:00 AM2/16/99
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In article <7a1n3u$eor$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>, rajeev...@gecm.com
says...

>
> Information you receive at ante-natal classes will tell you about bar spacing.

LOL! Breathing during birth, bathing afterwards, but not building before.
The midwives and health visitors here are so dippy that they wouldn't
know where to start looking for a british standard. [They're not even
very good at the normal jobs they're supposed to do, IMHO. My advice is
go to a doctor if you've got any worries. The midwives and health
visitors are alright for the weekly weigh-ins, but that's about it.]

If you're worried about bar spacing, copy a cot in a shop.

As to a drop mechanism, I can't help you. My wife wanted a one-handed
one, which I was happy to get, but you only ever use it when you've left
the baby in there or are about to get it out, when you've got two free
hands anyway.

--
Ally | Please do not duplicate usenet follow-ups by email.
| Check my address for Anti-Spam measures.

l...@jeffrey-rogers.co.uk

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Feb 19, 1999, 3:00:00 AM2/19/99
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In article <0UpyTFAP...@stahelin.demon.co.uk>,
Hi Joe,

Got IL to send me their catalogue - nice stuff, but no cot mechanism. Any
other ideas?

TIA

Laurence

Charles (Joe) Stahelin

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Feb 20, 1999, 3:00:00 AM2/20/99
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In article <7ajvg1$nc9$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>, l...@jeffrey-rogers.co.uk
writes

>Got IL to send me their catalogue - nice stuff, but no cot mechanism. Any
>other ideas?
-----------
Raise your need on the tel with IL. They are in the heart of
traditional furniture making and should be able to make some
suggestions. Remember that places like IL also buy from manufacturer's
catalogues and may have access to the detail even if they do not choose
to stock the item themselves.

The device you are after consists of 2 long rods about 5 or 6mm in dia
and about twice the vertical height of the movable cot side; plus 4
anchor points to hold the rods vertically and immovably at the ends of
the cot. 2 (x2=4) screwed eyes at the ends of the cot side to run up
and down the rods. 2 sliding bolts to fix the cot side in place when
it is in the raised position. It should not be too difficult to DIY -
but a bit too difficult to draw out here.

I think the best material for the bits would be stainless steel if it is
not too pricey.

Paul Mc Cann

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Feb 20, 1999, 3:00:00 AM2/20/99
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In article <agC5uDAo...@stahelin.demon.co.uk>,
j...@stahelin.demon.co.uk says...
Do they still make this type of drop side mechanism ? Last time I looked
they appeared to be all white nylon bits and bobs.

Perhaps a web search on cot manufacturers might turn up a manufacturer
who would supply one. Failing that an enquiry in a locally owned (not
somewhere like Mothercare ) supplier of cots may elicit the name of a
local manufacturer.

Its times like this one begins to appreciate why good purchasing officers
are worth their money.
--
Paul Mc Cann


Charles (Joe) Stahelin

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Feb 21, 1999, 3:00:00 AM2/21/99
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In article <MPG.1138b04ac...@news.iol.ie>, Paul Mc Cann
<tp...@iol.ie> writes

>Do they still make this type of drop side mechanism ? Last time I looked
>they appeared to be all white nylon bits and bobs.
snip

Could be, or is it plastic covering to prevent rust which could be a
problem.

Paul Mc Cann

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Feb 21, 1999, 3:00:00 AM2/21/99
to
In article <ymPT$EAdG2...@stahelin.demon.co.uk>,
j...@stahelin.demon.co.uk says...
Well having just become a grandfather for the first time I suppose I'm
going to have to go out and take a look, but my hazy memory was that the
mechanism on the last one I saw was different from the traditional one
you described and the one SWMBO has been storing in the attic for the
last 18 years, which naturally is now not good enough for the new
grandson despite my earnest offers to strip it down and re-polish it.

--
Paul Mc Cann


Susan Fitt

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Feb 22, 1999, 3:00:00 AM2/22/99
to

Re: drop sided cot mechanisms.

When we bought a cot a few months ago, the ones in the shops
mostly seemed awkward to operate, and only dropped a few
inches anyway - hardly seemed worth the bother. We ended
up buying one with rigid sides, and haven't missed not
having a drop side. Might be different if you made your
own though, as you could presumably make it drop a bit
further. Also, if either of you are short (I'm 5'7"), or
if the sides of your cot come up higher than ours, you
might have more difficulty leaning over the side.

--
Sue Fitt
Edinburgh

Take 'noads' out of the address to email me.

l...@jeffrey-rogers.co.uk

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Feb 22, 1999, 3:00:00 AM2/22/99
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In article <MPG.1139eaa06...@news.iol.ie>,

tp...@iol.ie (Paul Mc Cann) wrote:
> Well having just become a grandfather for the first time I suppose I'm
> going to have to go out and take a look, but my hazy memory was that the
> mechanism on the last one I saw was different from the traditional one
> you described and the one SWMBO has been storing in the attic for the
> last 18 years, which naturally is now not good enough for the new
> grandson despite my earnest offers to strip it down and re-polish it.
>
> --
> Paul Mc Cann
>
>
Mmm, now that sounds familiar. SWMBO has aired the same views on '2nd-hand'
items for our baby. I'm sure your 18 year old cot is probably better than a
lot of those on offer today. I wish my Mum still had my pram... ah yes, I
remember now, it made a fantastic go-cart some years after I had initiallly
used it! I'm still working on the mechanism problem. The writer of the plans
is sending me the details of the kit that they provide for $80. I think this
includes mechanisms for 2 drop-sides and a sprung mattress base! Otherwise,
I'm sure my Dad could manufacture something. Joe, if you're reading this,
Isaac Lord don't do these fittings, and couldn't suggest who might
unfortunately - thank for the lead anyway.

Alistair McDonald

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Feb 23, 1999, 3:00:00 AM2/23/99
to
says...

>
> As I am about to become a Dad, one project I have in mind is to build a cot.
> I have found a source for a nice looking cot, but it is from the US. Does
> anyone know of a UK supplier of the drop-side mechanism used on cots?
>

One thing that occurred to me as a "good idea". At the moment, we've got
one end of our cot propped up, as the little one has a cold, and this
helps their breathing. You might want to consider extending legs at one
end (or contracting legs at the other) so you don't have to shove two
hefty paperbacks under each leg.

Peter@work

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Feb 23, 1999, 3:00:00 AM2/23/99
to

I think that would be a bit "over-engineered". A rolled up blanket or a
pillow under the mattress would suffice.

PJA

Alan Holmes

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Mar 6, 1999, 3:00:00 AM3/6/99
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l...@jeffrey-rogers.co.uk wrote in message
<7armv3$vp6$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...

>In article <MPG.1139eaa06...@news.iol.ie>,
> tp...@iol.ie (Paul Mc Cann) wrote:
>> Well having just become a grandfather for the first time I suppose I'm
>> going to have to go out and take a look, but my hazy memory was that the
>> mechanism on the last one I saw was different from the traditional one
>> you described and the one SWMBO has been storing in the attic for the
>> last 18 years, which naturally is now not good enough for the new
>> grandson despite my earnest offers to strip it down and re-polish it.

>Mmm, now that sounds familiar. SWMBO has aired the same views on '2nd-hand'


>items for our baby. I'm sure your 18 year old cot is probably better than
a
>lot of those on offer today. I wish my Mum still had my pram... ah yes, I
>remember now, it made a fantastic go-cart some years after I had initiallly
>used it! I'm still working on the mechanism problem. The writer of the
plans
>is sending me the details of the kit that they provide for $80. I think
this
>includes mechanisms for 2 drop-sides and a sprung mattress base!
Otherwise,
>I'm sure my Dad could manufacture something. Joe, if you're reading this,
>Isaac Lord don't do these fittings, and couldn't suggest who might
>unfortunately - thank for the lead anyway.


When I made the cots for my kids I considered making the side in two parts
about 10 inches by 36 inches, adjust to suit the size of the cot, hinge
along
the long sides and use sprung cupboard catches to fasten when in the up
position.

If I haven't made it clear let me know and I'll try again.

Alan


Charles (Joe) Stahelin

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Mar 7, 1999, 3:00:00 AM3/7/99
to
Practical Wood Working Vol 34 No 3, Feb-Mar 99, contains an article on
the making of a drop-sided cot which can be converted into a child's
bed. In particular it quotes critical sizes regarding spaces between
bars etc which it states are legally enforceable.

tuc...@ms.com

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Mar 8, 1999, 3:00:00 AM3/8/99
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In addition to the designs it also gives details of a shop (in Essex)that
sells drop down mechanisms, which I think was the original request.

HTH
James


In article <B+zf5TAC...@stahelin.demon.co.uk>,


"Charles (Joe) Stahelin" <j...@stahelin.demon.co.uk> wrote:

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Jon Rouse

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Mar 8, 1999, 3:00:00 AM3/8/99
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Charles (Joe) Stahelin <j...@stahelin.demon.co.uk> wrote in article
<B+zf5TAC...@stahelin.demon.co.uk>...

> Practical Wood Working Vol 34 No 3, Feb-Mar 99, contains an article on
> the making of a drop-sided cot which can be converted into a child's
> bed. In particular it quotes critical sizes regarding spaces between
> bars etc which it states are legally enforceable.

A group of burly cops from your regional crime squad will break down your
front door at 4 a.m., dash up the baby's bedroom, and with chain saw, sash
cramps and bostik ensure that the cot bars are at the statutory spacing.


Laurence Carr

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Mar 9, 1999, 3:00:00 AM3/9/99
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On Sun, 7 Mar 1999 03:01:22 +0000, "Charles (Joe) Stahelin"
<j...@stahelin.demon.co.uk> wrote:

>Practical Wood Working Vol 34 No 3, Feb-Mar 99, contains an article on
>the making of a drop-sided cot which can be converted into a child's
>bed. In particular it quotes critical sizes regarding spaces between
>bars etc which it states are legally enforceable.

>--
> Charles (Joe) Stahelin,
> Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK.

Saw this myself at the weekend! Just happened to be at the WH Smiths
library having a browse when I came across it. Rang the supplier of
the drop-side mechanism (Baby Basics), but got someone who didn't know
anything about it! They gave me the name of a contact to ring today.
I'll keep you posted.

Thanks Joe

Laurence

Laurence Carr

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Mar 9, 1999, 3:00:00 AM3/9/99
to

Well it appears that this is the usual magazine article cock-up! The
writer of the article managed to get the shop to order the drop-side
mechanism from Mamas and Papas, who will not supply direct. It is for
a 'Jessica' cot, and most Mamas and Papas stockists should be able to
order them. The shop (Baby Basics) have had to field a lot of calls
on this one. I thought it was odd for a baby shop to be selling
fittings! Another option I have found is by searching the Association
of Suppliers to the Furniture Industry web site at
<http://www.asfi.org/> . This turned up 3 suppliers and could be a
useful site to locate all sorts of odd fittings that you don't see in
the sheds.

Laurence

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