Step Up Your Game With a DIY Folding Step Stool
Complexity:Intermediate
Cost:$20 – $80
Getting your
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Cutting List
KEY
QTY.
PART
DIMENSIONS
A
1
Top step
1-1/8″ x 9″ x 12-1/4″
B
4
Leg
1-1/2″ x 1-1/2″ x 14″
C
2
Guide rail
3/4″ x 1-1/2″ x 6″
D
1
Top cross brace
3/4″dia. x 6-3/4″
E
1
Bottom cross brace
1-1/4″ x 1-1/4″ x 3-5/8″
Tools Required
- 1/2″ drill bit
- 1/4″ drill bit
- 1/4″ round-over bit
- 18ga. nail gun
- 18ga. staple gun
- 3/4″ Forstner bit
- 5/8″ Forstner bit
- Belt/disc sander
- Clamps
- Compass with a pencil
- Dowel centers
- Drill press
- Drill/driver
- Miter saw
- Pliers
- Router or router table
- Table saw
Materials Required
- 1 1/4″ 18g Brad nails
- 1/2″ 18g crown staples
- 1/2″ Dowel
- 1/4″ Nylon Lock Nuts
- 1/4″ washers
- 1/4″ X 2 1/2″ Panhead screws
- 1/4″ x 3-1/2″ carriage bolts
- 1/4” dowels
- 3/4″ dowel
- Assorted sandpaper
- Upholstery strap
- Wood finish of your choice
- Wood glue
Project step-by-step (10)
Cut your pieces
On the miter saw and/or table saw, cut the top step (A), all four legs (B), the guides (C), ad the bottom crossbrace (E). Set aside <a https: alt="Step Up Your Game With A Diy Folding Step Stool">
Connect the outside and inside legs
Thread 1/4-inch x 3-1/2-inch carriage bolts through hole 1 in the center of the legs to connect an outside leg to the outside of each of the connected inside legs. Put a washer between each pair of legs and secure with a nylon lock nut on the inside of the inside legs.
Connect the legs and step
Connect the two outside legs (B) to the sides of the guide rails (C) by threading 1/4-inch x 2-1/2-inch pan head screws through hole 5 in the guide rails and through hole 2 on the outside legs. Use a washer on the outside of the guide rails and pliers to hold the nylon lock nuts while you tighten them into the 5/8-inch countersunk holes.
Attach upholstery strap
The strap acts as a stop, limiting how far the legs can open. Wrap one end of an
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How wide should a step stool be?
A step stool should be about 11 to 16-in. wide to fit both feet comfortably side by side. For a portable or compact version, stay toward the narrow end of that range.
How tall should a step stool be?
A single-step stool should be 6 to 9-in. tall. That’s a good height for reaching into a truck bed, helping kids reach a tall bathroom sink, or getting to the top pantry shelves.
