Need plans for child's step stool

In article <[email protected]>,
NoNameAtAll <[email protected]> wrote:
>I'm looking for some plans for a simple step stool for a small child to put in
>front of the sink so he can brush his teeth. Nothing fancy needed, but I'd like
>it to be a very sturdy stool when finished. Normally I'd have no problem just
>paying for plans for something I'd build but this is so small and simple that
>it's hard to justify the expense unless they're really, really cheap. Anyone
>know where I can find plans for a stool like this?

One step, or two?

for a single step one, the _simplest_ design calls for about 3' of 2x10.
Cut 2 7" (7", plus the 1-1/2" thickness of the top, puts you close to the
9" riser height of a 'standard' stair-step. adjust actual dimension to suit)
sections for the feet, If you're feeling 'artistic', trim 'em sort-of like
this: (view with fixed-pitch font)

+---------------+
\ /
\ /
/ \
/ \
/ \
/ +-----+ \
+------+ +------+


possibly with curves, instead of the straight lines shown.

The 'notch' on the bottom *is* important, it makes the stool have 4 'legs'
in contact w/ the ground.

The remaining not-quite 2' section is the 'top'. space the leg sections in
about 3-4" from each end. run 2 big (like 3-1/2" #12) wood screws down from
above into each leg section.

Sand all parts smooth, and knock down any sharp edges, before assembling.

Add a couple coats of paste wax, and Voila!

If paranoid, wrap a scrap of carpet around the top, and nail to the underside
of the top, along the long edges.


A two-step stool can be almost as simple.

two side pieces, that look like this:


+------+
| |
| |
| |
| +------+
| |
| |
| |
+-------------+

with 'steps' at the 'obvious' places, held to the sidewall w/ a 2x2 'brace':


======== +==============+
+------+ |_: :_|
| | | |
| | | |
| |======= +==============+
| +------+ |_: :_|
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
+-------------+ +--------------+


then add a cross-brace vertical, for lateral stability



========
+------+
| |
| |
| :|=======
| :+------+
| : |
| : |
| : |
+-------------+


simple screw-and-glue assembly.

On 16 Jan 2004 20:57:56 GMT, [email protected] (NoNameAtAll)
wrote:

>I'm looking for some plans for a simple step stool for a small child to put in
>front of the sink so he can brush his teeth. Nothing fancy needed, but I'd like
>it to be a very sturdy stool when finished. Normally I'd have no problem just
>paying for plans for something I'd build but this is so small and simple that
>it's hard to justify the expense unless they're really, really cheap. Anyone
>know where I can find plans for a stool like this?

I stumbled across the following link when looking for the same thing a
couple of weeks back:

http://www.furnitureplans.com/pi_category_free/free

I really enjoyed learning some new tricks and this was my first
non-stationary project. Learned ripping, doweling, and drum sanding.
Now I get to prime and paint (with my son of course), and then he can
enjoy the heck out of it!

Chris Mooney

"NoNameAtAll" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm looking for some plans for a simple step stool for a small child to
put in
> front of the sink so he can brush his teeth. Nothing fancy needed, but I'd
like
> it to be a very sturdy stool when finished. Normally I'd have no problem
just
> paying for plans for something I'd build but this is so small and simple
that
> it's hard to justify the expense unless they're really, really cheap.
Anyone
> know where I can find plans for a stool like this?

Plans? Cut a 1 x 10 board to about 18". Cut two more pieces to 6". Screw
them in place at t he ends. At a cross support between the two ends. Screw
that in place for rigidity.
Ed

Keep getting mail returned . E-mail me so I have the proper address.

Scott
[email protected]
"Sherfey's" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:znZNb.82596$na.44494@attbi_s04...
> I just made one for my kids and could take a pic and send it to you if you
> want. No plans, but it might give you an idea.
>
> Scott
> "NoNameAtAll" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I'm looking for some plans for a simple step stool for a small child to
> put in
> > front of the sink so he can brush his teeth. Nothing fancy needed, but
I'd
> like
> > it to be a very sturdy stool when finished. Normally I'd have no problem
> just
> > paying for plans for something I'd build but this is so small and simple
> that
> > it's hard to justify the expense unless they're really, really cheap.
> Anyone
> > know where I can find plans for a stool like this?
>
>

I made a step stool out of poplar and red oak (cheap!). Check it out at
ABPW.


"NoNameAtAll" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm looking for some plans for a simple step stool for a small child to
put in
> front of the sink so he can brush his teeth. Nothing fancy needed, but I'd
like
> it to be a very sturdy stool when finished. Normally I'd have no problem
just
> paying for plans for something I'd build but this is so small and simple
that
> it's hard to justify the expense unless they're really, really cheap.
Anyone
> know where I can find plans for a stool like this?

In article <[email protected]>, [email protected]
says...
>
> "NoNameAtAll" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I'm looking for some plans for a simple step stool for a small child to
> put in
> > front of the sink so he can brush his teeth. Nothing fancy needed, but I'd
> like
> > it to be a very sturdy stool when finished. Normally I'd have no problem
> just
> > paying for plans for something I'd build but this is so small and simple
> that
> > it's hard to justify the expense unless they're really, really cheap.
> Anyone
> > know where I can find plans for a stool like this?
>
> Plans? Cut a 1 x 10 board to about 18". Cut two more pieces to 6". Screw
> them in place at t he ends. At a cross support between the two ends. Screw
> that in place for rigidity.
> Ed

Same thing, only different: 1x8 board, 18" for seat, cut 2 at 12" for
legs, add 4 bits of 8" long 1/4-round for bracing. Make a capital "H"
glue & screw the seat (crossbar) at about 1/3:2/3 ratio. Glue & tack the
1/4 round as extra bracing on both sides. If momma's afraid that this
will collapse, then add a handle across the top between the sides- use a
1x2 and if you want to get fancy dovetail it in.

Made a matched pair of cheap pine for my friend's twin grandkids- they
use them for everything- chairs, stepstools, tables, play surfaces.

"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> said:

> Plans? Cut a 1 x 10 board to about 18". Cut two more pieces to 6".
> Screw them in place at t he ends. At a cross support between the two
> ends. Screw that in place for rigidity.

I like a half dovetailed diagonal crossbrace, very sturdy.
--
McQualude

I just made one for my kids and could take a pic and send it to you if you
want. No plans, but it might give you an idea.

Scott
"NoNameAtAll" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm looking for some plans for a simple step stool for a small child to
put in
> front of the sink so he can brush his teeth. Nothing fancy needed, but I'd
like
> it to be a very sturdy stool when finished. Normally I'd have no problem
just
> paying for plans for something I'd build but this is so small and simple
that
> it's hard to justify the expense unless they're really, really cheap.
Anyone
> know where I can find plans for a stool like this?