2012/04/06

Prototype Revealed: Tiny Legs for Tiny Legs

My daughter has been asking for a step stool to reach the sink, and now I have finally gotten to it!
Here are five members from my old pile of 2x4 cutoffs, arranged as three legs attached to two planks.

The feet are attached with deep-sunk wood screws.
The pre-drilled holes on each side are given a healthy bubble of wood glue and six dowels are inserted 3" deep into one plank.

With a hammer, the two sides are tapped gently together. If much force needs to be applied, it is best to use another block of wood as a beater to avoid marring the edges of the finished piece.

In a few hours the two sides of the doweled step stool will be firmly fixed in place.
Full curing time depends on the wood glue used, but usually takes 24 - 48 hours. I like the results: a simple sturdy child's step stool or comfy adult bench. If I can work out some of the kinks, a prettified version should be on sale soon -you know where - Hip Thrift.


And in completely unrelated news, this mess blessed me in front of my house in the morning . . .
What madness can I contrive from a broken exercise bike? The future remains unknown, though I certainly had a good time disassembling it!

2 comments:

  1. I am sure you'll come up with some delightful form of insanity.

    Happy Easter!
    xo Maggie

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    Replies
    1. I have received a cryptic invitation to a River Arts painter gathering, and I believe we will suspend, reanimate, profanicize and absurdify it. In some manner.

      Our master photographer will be at hand.

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