Stool & Tool-Tote

[scmhogg]

This stool and tote plan was in the July 2007 Wood Magazine[ #177].

I made four out of HD 1/2" Birch Plywood. Lousy quality, by the way. The legs are Redwood. I dyed three of them and left the third natural. They are all coated with three coats of poly.

The plain Birch goes to my SIL who has Birch floors. The brown is for a friend and the red and black will stay here.

They appealed to me as the stretcher doubles as a handle, when you flip the stool upside down. Real handy to carry tools or cleaning supplies to the work site. They are very sturdy. I weigh 225 and I can tap dance on them. [No, no pics]

Here are all four.



The red one.





The black one.



The brown one.



The plain Birch.



And, as a tote.



Steve

[Tom Slick]

looks nice!!
Tell me about your dying process. do you apply it like a stain to bare wood?

[LCHIEN]

Looks colorful, but do you have to dump all your tools on the floor before using as a stool?

[Uncle Cracker]

Looks colorful, but do you have to dump all your tools on the floor before using as a stool?

That's what I was thinking, too... Also, I hope it is meant to be a sitting stool, because the top is wider than the base on the short sides, and might tend to topple if you stood on it not directly in the center, methinks...

But very nice work putting them together. The dye jobs show how easily they can be suited to the decor.

[lrogers]

I'd like to know more about the dye process too. The colors look nice.

[scmhogg]

Tom--I use water based aniline dye. I paint a heavy coat with cheap brushes. I do not pre-raise the grain, as I always use two coats of the dye. I sand very gently with new sharp sandpaper between coats to knock down any raised nibs. The second coat, does not usually raise the grain.

LCHIEN-- "Looks colorful, but do you have to dump all your tools on the floor before using as a stool ?" Yep.

Uncle--I was a little concerned with the Wood Mag design. As it turns out it's pretty stable. The top is 15" x 22" and it is 15" high. On a hard floor there is no wobble. I have very heavy pile, industrial carpeting, with a thick pad, and the stool remains stable on the carpet. I have not tried standing with both feet on one edge though.

Steve

[JR]

I have not tried standing with both feet on one edge though.

Hang ten, Moondoggie!

[cabinetman]

Nice work, very useful, and a great idea. So, other than drawings, you had no "stool sample" to go by?
.

[Uncle Cracker]

So, other than drawings, you had no "stool sample" to go by?

You, Sir, are a sick man...