looking for step stool plans

[hermit]

Anyone have a link or info on some type of step stool plans that may incorporate a handrail for support? My mother in law needs some type of a step to help reach into kitchen cabinets and shelfs, but she is very arthritic and can't stand straight. She would need some type of rail for support and stability. I made a shaker type stool for my mom before, but that design doesn't have any type of railing. Ideas?

Thanks,
Todd

[Tom Slick]

how many steps?

[viking4949]

I don't have plans but if you need some inspiration, this link may help. I remembered it from "Little People Big World"
http://www.lp-access.com/products.php

Brandon

[rnelson0]

I do not have a link to the plans, but Family Handyman had a stepstool/ladder in one of their "100 Great Projects" mags. The seat folds in half and you have a stepladder. If you added a back to the chair, it would be more appropriate for a kitchen and allow her to grab onto something.

How much is she leaning on the rail? The one problem with a rail built into the stool is that it acts as a fulcrum and can tip the stool if one leans on it too far. It could be a great helper but may not take a lot of direct weight.

[drillman88]

Franklin chair

This is one of my "I'm gonna build that one day" projects.It may not be practical for your situation but I thinks it cool.

http://http://www.popularmechanics.c...html?series=20

I hope the link works this is the first one I've tried to post.

[Thalermade]

Okay, this is a different shaker stool, but kind of the same. It mentions a handrail (and that is how i saved it), but there are no plans on how to add the handrail.
So, in a nutshell - I ain't got nothing for you. Sorry.

http://www.popularwoodworking.com/ar...ker_Stepstool/

Russ

[hermit]

Ok thanks guys for the feedback. Sorry, I was away all weekend and haven't checked in to respond. Brandon, that is kind of what I was thinking about, and melson, thats why I was looking for plans. I was afraid of it tipping on her. Now that I looked at Thalermade's link, I'm thinking that a railing along the side might be the ticket (instead of at the front). What do you guys think?

thanks again.
Todd

ps. drillman, I couldn't get your link to work.

[drillman88]

Ok heres the second attempt.This is a Ben Franklin design that can be used as a chair or step stool.

http://http://www.popularmechanics.c...p/4226197.html

[radhak]

Ok heres the second attempt.This is a Ben Franklin design that can be used as a chair or step stool.

http://http://www.popularmechanics.c...p/4226197.html

There's an extra http on your link : I think this should work better : http://www.popularmechanics.com/home...html?series=20

[hermit]

ahh. that is interesting. I'll have to ponder that one. its cool, but it may be a bit much for the intended purpose. I don't think she could move it around that easily.

I'll store the link just in case.

Thanks!
Todd

[hermit]

Update:

If anyone is interested, I never really found any plans for this project, so here's what I came up with. I took Thalermade's shaker stool link and modified it a bit. I made the whole thing wider (about 2ft total) and lowered the first 2 steps to 6". Then I made the railings for it. It was my first turning project for the spindles. It works, and my mother in law was pleased anyway.

Todd