1st project in new workshop

[chataigner]

This was posted elsewhere a couple of weeks ago, but I kept the file, so here it is in it's intended home ....

It's a folding step stool to allow LOML to reach the top cupboard in our living room. She is 5' 8" tall, but the cupboard is floor to ceiling...

All joints except the bridle joints at the tops of the legs are wedged M&T. The quarter sawn board I had set aside for the tops turned out to be wee bit smaller than I thought and so as not to mix boards and risk colour differences, I turned a problem into a feature and fitted small sections with spaces between and so managed to make both tops from the one board.

The inner section is hinged by the bolts you can see and there is a stop inside one of the larger section's legs to hold it when folded so that you can lift the whole thing without the inner section dropping through.

I'm reasonably pleased with the joinery, but very disappointed with the finish. I used a spirit stain as I didnt fancy sanding back raised grain on such a fiddly assembly if I used a water based stain. It dried so fast that try as I did, I could not get round fast enough to avoid "second coat effect" here and there. It doesnt really matter for a utility piece, but I know it is not up to standard. Danish oil next time perhaps ?

 

[AndyP]

Nicely executed and very practical too. I have used danish oil a lot and enjoy its simplicity to apply. Can take a while to dry between coats which for the impatient, me, is sometimes a downside

 

[Woodbloke]

Nicely executed and very practical too. I have used danish oil a lot and enjoy its simplicity to apply. Can take a while to dry between coats which for the impatient, me, is sometimes a downside

Agree with Andy, it's a nice job…well made and practical. I've never use D oil but the Liberon Finishing Oil instead, which I understand is similar but probably a bit less 'gloopy'. Same goes for stain…I never use the stuff - Rob, aka 'woodbloke'

 

[kirkpoore1]

Hey, that's a pretty clever design, and done well. And the M&T joints look great from here. Can you pick it up with the step folded in, without the step dropping down?

Kirk

 

[chataigner]

Hey, that's a pretty clever design, and done well. And the M&T joints look great from here. Can you pick it up with the step folded in, without the step dropping down?

Kirk

Yes Kirk, there is a stop on the inside of the one of the outer section legs that hold the inner section horizontal when folded.

 

[fred]

I like that.
Very handy things.
I've got an old 1950's metal version in the workshop. But it doesn't look half as nice as yours

Bon Journée,
fred