How To Build A Pocket Hole Step Stool

I went into the shop today to finish up a blanket chest. I ended up making a step stool….
Here are some pictures and a video to guide you through building one of your own. The design was slightly modified from something I saw on Google Images. I wanted to go a little longer than a typical step stool so it could double as a sitting bench. I also wanted the weight to be directly transfered to the ground. To do this I cut a rabbet on the legs to accept the horizontal support underneath the bench surface itself. This allows the sitting surface to directly transfer weight to the support, which in turn directly transfers the weight to the legs and down to the floor. It works great. I have had a couple people voice concerns over stepping on the edge and flipping the stool over. I don’t see this as a concern as typically when you step on something your mind automatically tells your foot to aim for the middle. As large as the platform is, you shouldn’t miss!pocket-hole-step-stool-4

Pocket hole step stool  Pocket hole step stool  Pocket hole step stool Pocket hole step stool

6 COMMENTS

  1. Thanks Jay ! I will put this one in my file of things to do after I get the shop up and running. No computer in the shop so if you have it in PDF post it up.

  2. Nice stool but I have to tell you that I am over pocket holes. I don’t think they are a good choice for soft woods. The joints are really not that strong. I have had a lot of trouble with splitting in thin materials like those used in this project. Check out Linn’s test of different joints at the Darbin Orvar website a couple of months back. My Kreg jig has gathered a lot of dust in the last six months. You’ve got a good design there, it doesn’t really need them anyway.

  3. Standing in the middle is not the problem. People working on it will reach and move over to the edge and that is we’re the tipping problem occurs. I built a stool that upside down was a tool tote. It had broad top to stand or sit. Worked great till your weight moved to the front or back or side to side. I ended up taking some off the sides but did not shorten the ends. Was still a little tippy. It was still in use when I retires and was asked to make several more for my work mates. I can see how you got into making chairs,benches and pick nick tables. I still want to build yours. I like the way the weight is transferred to the ground.

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