Pocket Hole Step Stool #2

This time of the year is always really busy for me. My day job is maintenance at an apartment complex in a college town. So that means once all the college kids graduate in May they of course move out and I’m scrambling to get apartments ready from now until mid August. Between that, another side job, and keeping a family life there’s barely any breathing room. I originally designed this step stool back in December of 2012. I have been wanting to make another for quite some time for the shop and due to the fact that I didn’t get a good chance to get into the shop until late yesterday it seemed like the perfect project to knock out real quick.

To make this project you will need either an 8′ piece of 1×12 or a 4′ piece of 1×12 and a 4′ piece of 1×3. I’m using the poplar I reclaimed from tearing apart a box mattress last week (I still have over half of the pile!). Step one is to cut all the parts. I have included a downloadable PDF plan at the end of this article for your convenience. The images are larger in the PDF.

layout

The legs are notched at the top to accept the front and back rails. This will allow weight to be directly transferred from the top, to the rails, to the legs, to the ground. Drill pocket holes for 1-1/4” pocket hole screws as indicated by the arrows.

leg-detail

Assembly is pretty straight forward. Secure the legs to the rails first with pocket hole screws. Then lay the assembly onto the top. Make sure the assembly is being secured to the bad side of the top. Then screw it down with pocket hole screws.

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Lastly, you can add any edge detail that you want. I just sanded off all of the sharp edges. To finish mine I used mineral oil. I have had a baking pan in my shop with mineral oil in it for about a year now so I’m trying to use it up. Anyway, I hope you find this project to be both easy and useful. I actually used it in front of my sofa as a foot rest while watching a movie with my wife immediately before writing this post. Works great!

Download

Although this plan is free to you remember that it isn’t free to produce. If you would like to show your thanks please consider using the donate button at the bottom of this page. If you liked this project and found it useful please share it so others can do so as well. Thanks for stopping by folks and have a great day!

Attention Pinterest Users

If you haven’t already be sure to follow me on Pinterest! I’d love for you to pin this easy project!

featured-image-pocket-hole-step-stool


 

11 COMMENTS

  1. Jay, at 3:37 into your video you use a tablesaw sled for cutting the sides of the legs from the top of the notch to the bottom of the leg at an angle. I think i have seen u use it before. Can u provide more information about it. Very good idea.
    I enjoy your videos.

  2. Jay, You have some great ideas for making your shop (and mine) a safer and more organized place to escape. Great stuff!

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