Rabbeted step stool...

[dbhost]

Okay I know, not a big fancy project, but I have started a quick & dirty project so I can get it done in time for LOML's B-day. She has been dropping hints that she needs a step stool to get her lovely 5 foot nothing self into our king size pillow topped bed. I have pretty much given up on matching the router work on the Mexican Rustic furniture, and am instead going with a simple roundover profile and just gettin' after it as it were... I will need to run by HF to pick up a couple of corner clamps to make certain things are square for the glue up...


WIll keep you posted...

[LCHIEN]

so this is like calling 8-ball in the corner pocket. Have you noticed none of us declare a project until we have something to show?

[BobSch]

so this is like calling 8-ball in the corner pocket. Have you noticed none of us declare a project until we have something to show?

Darn! I was hoping no one would notice.

[cabinetman]

so this is like calling 8-ball in the corner pocket. Have you noticed none of us declare a project until we have something to show?

Intent, a needy wife, and a B-Day may qualify as enough. If it doesn't happen, it's like scratching.
.

[dbhost]

so this is like calling 8-ball in the corner pocket. Have you noticed none of us declare a project until we have something to show?

I've noticed some do, some don't...

Just a FWIW thing...

And this is the project discussion forum right? Not completed projects...

[dbhost]

Okay, NOW I have something to post... jpegs of the sketchup of the design details...



Overall dimensions are 18" H x 18" D x 16" W. Treads are 16"W x 11" D. Stopped dadoes start at 3/4" in from the front and the sides. Running across the front is a 3/4" W x 3/8" D stopped dado. Running front to back and exiting the back of the treads is a 1/2" W x 3/8" D partially stopped dado.

The treads and spreaders are 3/4" white pine, the sides are 1/2" sanded pine ply. The edges of the treads, and front spreaders will sport a 3/8" bead.

Joints will be held together with glue and finish nails.

Finish will be Minwax Golden Pecan (2 to 3 coats) and Minwax gloss urethane. I am planning on adding a small cleat on the insides of each corner (not pictured) to provide mounting surface / bearing area for some 1" leveling feet...

[JR]

Nice drawing. I'm envious. I just couldn't get the hang of Sketchup.

You might want to include a hand-hold. Maybe just a cutout in the the top riser or the back panel.

JR

Edit: Never mind. I see now there is a gap at the top portion of the back panel. Maybe you could use a little cleat on the unerside of the top tread to facilitate a firm grip?

[dbhost]

I planned the gap in the back for just that purpose. There is a 3.75" gap between the rear spreader and the tread... I thought, and am still considering going all the way up with the rear spreader and routing a hand hold in...

Hmmm. Will have to sketch that mod in...

[poolhound]

Had you considered just using biscuits for all the joinery. Given the small size and the construction there is lots of inherent strength. That way you can avoid having to cut all the rabbets and dadoes and no nail holes to fill.

Also , unless you are short on materials why not make the sides from the same solid pine. That keeps everything at 3/4, will be stronger as the stretcher to side joints will be real wood long grain glue ups and everything will match.

[dbhost]

Had you considered just using biscuits for all the joinery. Given the small size and the construction there is lots of inherent strength. That way you can avoid having to cut all the rabbets and dadoes and no nail holes to fill.

Also , unless you are short on materials why not make the sides from the same solid pine. That keeps everything at 3/4, will be stronger as the stretcher to side joints will be real wood long grain glue ups and everything will match.

Two reasons for my insanity.

#1. I actually want to cut the rabbets and Dadoes. The more I do it, the better I get, so this is practice. Yes I had considered using Biscuits, but biscuits aren't rabbets... Anyway, the stopped dado across the front of the tread helps position the spreaders. (And I've already cut the treads). I use an Arrow finish nailer with nail set, so the fill spots for the nails aren't that big of a deal to me anyway... I have found the particular wood filler I have been using, the regular Elmer's stainable wood filler, matches white pine pretty darned well, and takes a finish pretty well.

#2. The half inch ply. I have 3/4" rough ply, or 1/2" sanded ply. I CAN go grab some more 3/4" solid or sanded ply for the sides and widen the dadoes / rabbets I guess. I actually am roughly basing this off of an old Lowes Creative Ideas plan (they just butt joint with glue and nails), that called for 1/2" ply for the sides, AND spreaders. I wanted to stain this, so I opted for the rabbet / dado arrangement so that I have solid wood, and not ply ends exposed, and available to the router bit for the bead.

This project is actually turning out to be a fun little project

[dbhost]

I double checked and thought, you know, a 9" rise between steps is a bit much for a 5 foot person. I dropped the height to 7", and added the handle to the plan. How does this look?

[BobSch]

That looks like it will fill the bill nicely. I agree that the 7-inch rise for a 5 foot person is a better bet.

[JR]

That hand-hold is exactly what I had in mind when I posted earlier. Once I realized you had a gap in the back I started to really like putting a cleat on the underside of the top step, at the back.

It would take the whole out of the top step and be easier to fabricate. Just cut a piece of your wood 1" wide and round it over on two edges.

Not a big improvement. Just a notion.

JR

[dbhost]

Actually, I like that idea... Gives the fingers something to grip on without having a big hole in the top tread...

[dbhost]

It's almost done, with some minor design changes brought on by time. Simply put, I am running out of time to do what I wanted to do. So the back spreader is simply butt jointed with nail and brads. And the arches were left off due to time, or the fact that I was running out of time...

I am waiting for the filler to dry, then I can sand it down, tack cloth it up, and stain it...