Hello-New to woodworking. Would like to build a step-stool for my 3-year-old son. Nothing real intricate-nice a simple. I like the craftsman and shaker styles. Any suggestions on tracking down plans or photos? TIA.
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Devil is in the details. Or is that caulk?
Replies
Are you talking about a two step ladder type or just a one step bench combo?
One step.- - - - - - - - Devil is in the details. Or is that caulk?
See attachment
Sketch
Hi Steinmetz: I see no attachment?- - - - - - - - Devil is in the details. Or is that caulk?
Having trouble uploading my sketch... actually I drew it from memory of one I made from scratch for my grandson six years ago. The post shown a few posts back shows a magazine article of essentially the same stool
It was made of Cherry and finished with orange shellac.
Steinmetz.
afletch,
About a year ago my sister was complaining to me about not being able to find an appropriate stepstool; She didn't like the height(too big a step up), she didn't like the size(inadequate foot support) and having to bend over to pick up to move...what a pain. She wanted a stepstool so she could reach the top shelf in her kitchen and so the kids could help her bake cookies and stuff. I made one for her that she now calls Ma-Ma's little helper.
The base measures 9x12" and 6" high. The sides have been dovetailed for strength and arches cut in to keep it lite. I have a 36" long handle..same height as the counter..making it easy to step up. I finished the clear pine model in varnish and milk painted the poplar and bass wood models....very strong, very secure, and she can put a plant on it if she decides to hell with the top shelf...lol
Here is a picture of several benches I built for the grandchildren. The 3-step stool is Shaker design and is used in kitchen for baking, etc. I have several of the small "wagon-seat" stools located around the house for numerous grandchildren needs.
Tim
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/ProjectsAndDesign/ProjectsAndDesignDirectory.aspx?dir=Stools
I would recommend "A Sturdy Footstool". If you are uncomfort6able tackling the through-tenons then you could just blind dado the underside of the top and the inside of the legs and cut mortises on the top and ends of stretcher and then glue it together. A stronger approach would be to use countersunk screws through the top and legs and then plug them with a contrasting wood. Either way, it is a great project.
Doug
Edited 8/17/2006 12:56 pm by DougF
Here's a basic stool I built a few years ago that might give you some ideas. It's made entirely of 3/4" boards and the joinery is pretty simple.
All 4 sides on mine are angled outward. This adds a lot of complexity and I recommend going with 90 degrees all around (which would be more consistent with the Shakers anyway). At the very least, you should eliminate the angle on the ends.
A little bit of an overhang on the ends allows a small child to pick it up and lug it around the house (which they will -- a lot). However, you must minimize the amount that the top overhangs the footprint of the feet for stability.
The apron to end is a cross-grain joint so I used screws under the pegs to make sure the joint couldn't fail catastrophically without warning. However the glue joint has been stable through a couple of New England years. I put a half dovetail into the ends of the aprons but it's not necessary.
The finish is shellac with a topcoat of Arm-R-Seal. It's a good finish to duplicate the look of antique maple yet still take a lot of hard use.
In retrospect, I would have rounded the edges a lot more than I did to help it to take abuse without showing.
Figured wood such as tiger maple can make a simple design stand out.
I recommend that you draw your design full scale from the front and side before you start. Good luck!
Pete
Edited 8/18/2006 9:26 pm ET by PeteBradley
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