Folding Step Stool

For years, we have had a step stool in our home that is as old as the hills. I am sure many folks have a similar item, made of tubular steel with a ‘naugahide’ covered seat. Joy brought it into the relationship more than 30 years ago, and for most of that time she has made noises about wanting to get rid of it for something nicer. It only takes me 30+ years to respond, apparently, so I finally designed and built this little step stool to replace it. The base is of solid birch lumber and the treads are of black walnut lumber. Given that it will reside in the kitchen, I designed it as something of a counterpoint to the Japanese Country Bar Stools that have walnut legs and a lighter hickory seat.

Folding Step Stool

(click on image to enlarge)

The challenge on this piece was to engineer the two bottom steps so that they rotated back into the base in such a way that their back edge aligned with the angle of the base leg, and came to rest in a way that didn’t allow the second step to rest on the ground, thereby marring it. Of course, the joinery needed to ensure full and bombproof support while an adult was standing on it. So, through mortise and tenon joints were added. The whole thing is light enough to move easily, but solid enough to make stepping up onto it feel secure and safe.

Opening and closing the bottom steps takes just a little flip. Check out this video of that action:

The only issue is that we will be getting rid of the old step stool, and to be honest, I’ll bet that it actually has some value to a collector as a period piece! Well, all things are impermanent, so off it goes, ideally to a home that will appreciate it!