This woodworking project, by Drew Fisher from Fisher’s Shop, offers an excellent way to enhance both the functionality and safety of your workspace. If you’re looking for practical ideas to improve your woodworking shop, Drew’s YouTube channel is a great resource full of creative builds and detailed tutorials.
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Why Add a Step Stool to Your Workshop?
A sturdy step stool is a practical addition that can significantly improve safety and convenience. It allows easy access to high shelves or storage areas, and when not in use, can conveniently fold away to save valuable shop space.
By building your own step stool, you can customize its height, stability, and style to perfectly suit your needs. It’s a great woodworking project for any skill level, offering a satisfying result that you’ll use frequently.
Drew’s Choice of Materials
For this build, Drew selected cherry wood, valued for its strength, durability, and attractive appearance. While cherry is an excellent choice, you can use other hardwoods depending on availability and your personal preferences.
The main challenge Drew faced was dealing with slightly warped wood, a common issue when working with natural materials. To ensure a stable build, he took extra care to properly prepare the wood by cutting away problematic areas and carefully milling the surfaces.
Constructing the A-Frame Structure
Drew began by cutting the cherry boards into strips suitable for the legs and sides of the stool. He used angled cuts and half-lap joints, a joinery technique known for its simplicity and strength.
Half-lap joints provided additional rigidity without excessive complexity, making the stool reliable and safe. Drew carefully ensured all joints were tight and square, which is key to achieving structural integrity in furniture projects like this.
Building and Installing the Steps
To construct the steps, Drew glued together smaller pieces of wood to form strong stringers. A template was created to maintain consistent sizing and positioning, helping to ensure a professional look and balanced assembly.
Once the steps and stringers were ready, Drew assembled them securely into place. The steps were carefully fitted into position, tested for stability, and secured firmly to provide safe use.
Adding Functional Features
An essential feature of Drew’s step stool design is the fold-out functionality. To achieve this, he drilled a hole for a pivot axle, allowing the steps to smoothly fold in and out as needed.
Spacers were added to ensure proper alignment and operation, making the stool easy and reliable to use. Drew also paid special attention to sanding each component thoroughly, ensuring comfortable handling and a polished final appearance.
Finishing and Enhancing the Appearance
Drew chose to finish the step stool using a natural wood finish to highlight the cherry wood’s attractive grain. This approach not only protected the stool but also enhanced the visual appeal of the wood, showcasing its natural beauty.
Applying a protective finish also helps prolong the lifespan of the step stool by preventing damage from daily wear and moisture. This step ensures the project remains durable and visually appealing for many years.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
A homemade step stool is more than just a practical tool—it’s a reflection of careful craftsmanship and thoughtful design. Drew’s version of this classic shop accessory combines functionality, durability, and aesthetic appeal, making it an ideal weekend woodworking project.
If you’re interested in building your own step stool and want detailed guidance, Drew Fisher offers an excellent step-by-step video tutorial. His detailed explanations provide additional insights that can help woodworkers of any skill level complete the project successfully.