This design is for a simple, low, long step stool. It is used by people who are short when doing activities where the equipment is clearly designed for taller people, such as speaking at a podium. It can also be used as a foot stool when a chair is too high and even at times when you just want to look people in the eye. You may remember the bar in the movie "Silverado" which had steps permanently installed. This step stool is stable enough that it does not easily tip over with a person standing on it.
Woodware Design's Step Stool is easy to build and decorate. You can adjust the height and width to suit your needs. It is usually made from inexpensive materials costing about $30.00 and painted.
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You can make this step stools by:
After you obtain the sketches, these notes will help you understand them.
The size and general outline show clearly. This design is wider and lower than most step stools. You should adjust the dimensions to suit your floor space and height. The leg pieces should be installed very close to the ends to keep the stool from tipping.
This sketch shows all the individual pieces of wood needed to build the Step Stool. You should adjust the length of the top and stiffener to suit your available floor space. You should adjust the height to suit your needs. Oval holes are shown in the legs and stiffener that can server as handles. The small Tango box can be added as a leg support.
The Step Stool is made from inexpensive wood. The parts are assembled with glue, and nails or screws.
---------- @ 2.50 / bf Subtotal: $10.00
------- Subtotal: $8.00
Finish Subtotal: $7.00
This is only an estimate (made in Winter of 2006). The price may vary in your area. Getting a good price on the wood is the best way to keep the price down.
This stool was designed so it can be constructed by a person using home repair type tools, but a small woodshop would be nice. It most easily made with a table saw or radial arm saw, drill, and general hand tools.
This is not intended to be a detailed step-by-step construction guide, but rather a number of points to consider. It is your project and you can build it to suit your likes.
Look over the drawing and decide what you are going to do:
This stool is made from a wide board top and support pieces. It is held together with screws or nails and glue.
The large top piece can be made from one board, from several boards that are edge glued, or from plywood with edge trim. Wide fir boards that are factory edge glued for shelves work well.
The stiffener is simply a narrower board. Plywood is not as good for this piece. The stiffener should be long enough to put the legs very near the ends of the top piece to make the stool stable. You may choose instead to install chair leg braces instead of this board.
If the stiffener is wide enough, you want to make a handle hole, it should be about 1.25 inches wide and 5 inches long. It is usually made with a large drill or hole saw and a jig saw.
The two end pieces are made from pieces of board. Plywood can be used. The grain may run either up and down or side to side. They must be mounted as close to the ends of the top board as you can.
If you cut handle holes, be sure they are below the bottom of the stiffener board.
Round over the edges and corners of all the pieces. This can be done with a block plane or rasps. Round off the inside of the handle holes with a rasp. Sand all the pieces before assembly.
The stool is assemble with either nails or screws and glue. The screws must be predrilled with a screwmate bit, and it is best to predrill the nails using a nail with its head cut off for the bit.
The feet are then attached to the bottom. Non-skid feet are best.
Finish your Step Stool any way you like. I recommend: oil based paint applied with a foam brush.
Thanks again for using a Woodware Designs computer furniture plans. We very much want to know how you are getting along with your project and would be happy to answer any questions by e-mail.
If you send us a picture of your finished stool, we would be happy to put it on our web page.
Don't forget to order the sketches.