Popular Post SawDustB Posted October 16, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 16, 2018 This summer, we got a twin bed (and bedroom set) for my youngest daughter, who just turned 3. That was a whole saga that has had furniture boxes in my shop for a couple of months, but we at least have her new bed set up. The only issue is, it's taller than she is, since there's a storage unit underneath. As a result, I've been commissioned to make a stool to help her get in and out. The stool is going to be 21" high, with 3 steps at 7" each. I decided I wanted to use a lot of the cutoffs that have been hanging around from the last couple of projects, so it's a mixture of maple and birch. That's OK, because my wife wants it painted white to match the bedroom set. Since I already had the dado stack out for my tool stand (which is on hold for the moment) I decided to go with a mixture of half laps, dados, and some screws for good measure. I've been cutting the joinery over the weekend, and my daughter was very excited to help me glue it up. Other than the Roubo glue up, I don't think I've ever had that much squeeze out and glue to clean up afterwards. This was very exciting, because she got to use her big sister's workbench. I was able to get the two sides clamped up without too much difficulty. I wasn't planning on doing much more last night, but I ended up trimming all the pieces and cutting in the dados for the top two steps. The lower step will need to be done with a router, since it won't go all the way through. I'm pretty happy with the test fit so far - you can get an idea of what the final form will be. I'm also going to half lap in at least one cross brace between the back legs, and I'll be adding screws to all of the steps. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeslayer Posted October 16, 2018 Report Share Posted October 16, 2018 Nice work, but the real treasure is having her help, something she will remember and have the rest of her life. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted October 16, 2018 Report Share Posted October 16, 2018 That is really cool!!! Was she involved in the clamping in pic # 2? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted October 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2018 Just now, K Cooper said: That is really cool!!! Was she involved in the clamping in pic # 2? Yes... That's part of why there were so many on one of the frames. I let her tighten the C clamps, and by the time she was done the glue was setting up so it needed a little persuasion to seat the joints fully. She also managed to squirt glue on the workbench and the floor when I had my back turned for a second. She decided we didn't have enough and went back to the bottle for more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted October 16, 2018 Report Share Posted October 16, 2018 Kids in the shop learning, Nothing better. 1 hour ago, SawDustB said: She also managed to squirt glue on the workbench and the floor Sounds like she understands the process. I do the same thing and I am not 3 anymore. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted October 16, 2018 Report Share Posted October 16, 2018 Absolutely excellent. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted October 16, 2018 Report Share Posted October 16, 2018 They make yellow glue that shows up in a UV / blacklight. You can wipe, scrape and sand checking with a UV LED flashlight until it is all gone. It works great ! She is so cute ! That stepstool can easily last the rest of her life. Make sure she signs and dates it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted October 16, 2018 Report Share Posted October 16, 2018 That's awesome! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted October 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2018 25 minutes ago, wdwerker said: They make yellow glue that shows up in a UV / blacklight. You can wipe, scrape and sand checking with a UV LED flashlight until it is all gone. It works great ! She is so cute ! That stepstool can easily last the rest of her life. Make sure she signs and dates it. Well, I might have been a little more careful with the glue if we weren't painting it. I suspect it would look like a crime scene in my garage if we had that glue I'll have to figure out how to have her sign it... She can't really write yet, although she could probably draw her initials for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeslayer Posted October 16, 2018 Report Share Posted October 16, 2018 2 hours ago, SawDustB said: She can't really write yet, hand print with latex paint would work and a couple of initials would be cool with the date. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted October 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2018 1 hour ago, treeslayer said: hand print with latex paint would work and a couple of initials would be cool with the date. That's a neat idea, I might just do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeslayer Posted October 16, 2018 Report Share Posted October 16, 2018 5 minutes ago, SawDustB said: That's a neat idea, I might just do that. I’ve done that when my kids were little and they helped on a project, and every time I pour cement around here there’s a hand print, even have one from my dog in cement Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post SawDustB Posted October 18, 2018 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted October 18, 2018 A little more progress last night... I cut in the bottom step, and added two braces on the back. There was also a lot of rounding over to do, to knock down the sharp edges. I just need to do some sanding and my daughter can help with the final glue up. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post SawDustB Posted October 20, 2018 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted October 20, 2018 I sanded it all and we did the glue up. My daughter did great with getting glue spread in the dados, along with everywhere else. I turned my back for a second and she had a line of it dripping down her back. I have no idea how. She did turn on my router table and scared the crap out of both of us. The stool was a bit tricky to get all the joints closed, since they were pretty tight. It was square and had no wobble, so that works for me. It needed all the clamps in the picture to get the joints tight. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted October 20, 2018 Report Share Posted October 20, 2018 Looking good. Its cool your daughter helps and Im glad her hands didn't get cut by the router bit also. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted October 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2018 42 minutes ago, mat60 said: Looking good. Its cool your daughter helps and Im glad her hands didn't get cut by the router bit also. Me too. I usually shut off the breaker to the table saw, router table, and dust collector before I let the girls out there. Obviously I forgot this time. On another note, what would be best for reinforcing the steps in the dados? Should I add a couple of screws on the steps, a couple of dowels, or does it matter? This is intended for my daughter who is around 35 lb, but my wife will inevitably stand on it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted October 20, 2018 Report Share Posted October 20, 2018 They look pretty strong to me but if you are going to paint the steps anyway you could hide the screws if you feel the need. I hate to tell you its fine without and have your wife get hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted October 20, 2018 Report Share Posted October 20, 2018 I don't think you really need to worry about it the glue will probably do enough at just making something that won't fall apart. If you were bent on doing something i'd just glue in a dowel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted October 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2018 I'm on the fence about whether it needs anything. The top and bottom step probably don't, since they're attached to the cross members. It's only the middle one. I think you're right Drew, I'll just throw in a couple of dowels. If I use screws I'll have to plug them anyway. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curlyoak Posted October 21, 2018 Report Share Posted October 21, 2018 They really don't need anything. The glue will hold it. But this has potential as an heirloom. So screw it and cover the screws with a flat grain plug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted October 21, 2018 Report Share Posted October 21, 2018 Or treat it like a wooden ladder and add a tension rod just under the stair tread. Use acorn nuts on the ends of a threaded rod. A block in the center puts the force upwards and prevents the tread from loosening in the case sides. Brass nuts if left unfinished or paint steel ones. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted October 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2018 I opted to put in two 3/8" dowels per step. I also added angled glue blocks under the steps, since I found a convenient piece to cut up for it. Once it dries I can do a little clean up and get painting. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted October 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2018 I've got the stool all finished up. Three coats of GF "milk paint" later, and it's looking pretty good. I've put plastic sliding feet on it, and I went over it with a brown paper bag to smooth out the finish. I'm planning to give it to her tomorrow. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeslayer Posted October 26, 2018 Report Share Posted October 26, 2018 Nice work B, I’m sure she’s going to love it, espically since you helped her build it well done sir ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted October 26, 2018 Report Share Posted October 26, 2018 Good job Brian. That came out real nice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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