Two step stool - PEP BB dimensional.sand.stool

Oct 04, 2019 20:42:50

This is a badge bit (BB) that is part of the PEP curriculum. Completing this BB is part of getting the sand badge in Dimensional Lumber Woodworking.

Sometimes things are up high and they're hard to reach. You don't want to drag the ladder out of the garage though. Let's build a two step stool that we can keep closer to where it's needed!

Here are some nice examples to get your creative juices flowing:

And here's a video of one going together:

To complete this BB, the minimum requirements are:
- at least a 14" by 14" footprint (for stability)
- two steps (of course)
- no treated wood
- no paint unless you made it yourself

To document your completion of the BB, provide the following:
- photo of the wood you're starting with
- photo of the construction partially underway
- photo of the finished stool showing how it meets the size requirements
- or two minute video of the above items

Mike Haasl · Nov 24, 2019 11:36:09

This is the wood that I started with.

This is a progress picture about halfway through my build of a two-step stool.

This is my finished two-step stool that I built. I placed measuring tapes on two sides of my stool.

The first measuring tape reads about 16 inches.

The second measuring tape reads about 17.5 inches.

I think that my two-step stool meets the requirement of being at least 14 inches squared.

gir bot · Apr 16, 2021 09:43:21

Made a step stool! Salvaged some wood (used for targets) from an indoor axe throwing establishment. A lot of it is unusable for building but I was able to find some decent cuts. Untreated wood.

gir bot · Jun 18, 2021 13:29:53

Here is my attempt at a 2 step stool. It's made with a spare piece of deck board (untreated) and an off cut. It's just held together with screws. It measures about 15" by 18".

gir bot · Jun 28, 2021 19:32:47

Here is my submission for the Dimensional Lumber - Sand - Build a Two-Step Stool BB.

To complete this BB, the minimum requirements:
- at least a 14" by 14" footprint (for stability) - my stool is 19"x14.25"
- two steps (of course)
- no treated wood
- no paint unless you made it yourself

To document the completion of the BB, I have provided the following:
- photo of the wood you're starting with
- photo of the construction partially underway
- photo of the finished stool

gir bot · Jul 16, 2021 20:52:19

Needed a stool to get up to my new clothline so I grabbed two 2x6s I got for free from someone's deck removal and some leftover 2.5" wood screws. It's 14" deep x 16" wide. I made the cuts down to length with an old circular saw.

gir bot · Oct 05, 2021 15:42:47

I made a stool!

Nov 24, 2021 08:38:18

I was about to start work on this project when I realised I may have made a mistake. I bought a nice piece of red oak for the step part, thinking it’s hardwearing and will last. I just took the starting photo and noticed it’s made from more than once piece. Does this disqualify any future submission if I use it?

Thanks

Nov 24, 2021 10:13:40

Good question Edward! That's a hard one to notice, but yes, there's glue in there so I think it would be an issue. Good eye!

Nov 24, 2021 10:16:28

Thanks Mike - wish I had noticed it before I bought it. At least I noticed it before I built it and then failed the badge. I’m sure I’ll find some use for it elsewhere. I might just build a stool with it anyway, there are plenty of other projects to choose from.

Nov 24, 2021 10:24:58

If you haven't cut it up you could always return it...

gir bot · Dec 05, 2021 00:31:02

I had a bunch of pine cut offs lying around my shop for ages. They needed to be used and this was the perfect project for them since they're mostly the same dimension and all about 16.5 inches long.

I also need a stool to reach the ceiling of the shop for tying up some long things to the roof rafters. Three birds, one stone.

The design is almost good. Unfortunately at this height the center of gravity of the stool is quite high and when free standing in the middle of the floor it is liable to tip backward. It fulfills the requirements as is, but before I use it anywhere but against a wall I will attach a board extending backwards from the base to prevent it from being able to tip in that direction.

It was fairly sturdy with just the pine cut offs, but I didn't like the tiny bit of racking I felt, so I put in a diagonal stretcher to eliminate racking entirely.

To complete this BB, the minimum requirements are:
- at least a 14" by 14" footprint (for stability)
- two steps (of course)
- no treated wood
- no paint unless you made it yourself

To document your completion of the BB, provide the following:
- photo of the wood you're starting with
- photo of the construction partially underway
- photo of the finished stool

Dec 05, 2021 20:20:30

Follow up post.

I used another one of the same pine boards on the back to extend the base out from the line of the back side of the top step. This 2 inches was enough to remove the tipping almost completely. Now I'd have to intentionally rock the stool for it to fall back. Easy solution and didn't increase the storage footprint by much.

gir bot · Jan 26, 2022 18:24:33

I had my 11yo daughter assist with the build!

We used some 2x4's for the frame and cedar fencing for the platforms. There are supports under the top platform.

gir bot · Feb 21, 2022 15:40:30

Two step stool:

gir bot · Apr 23, 2022 12:50:39

Here is my 14 inch long by 14 1/2 inch wide two step stool made from upcycled wood.

gir bot · Sep 12, 2022 19:10:53

I'm coming up with ways to use the pallet off-cuts from my siding project. I thought a stool would be a great project, since my kids keep stealing my kitchen stool to use at the bathroom sink. So I began with a few pallet planks, cut them to size, staged the 2 levels, assembled the whole stool in about an hour, then sanded the heck out of it for the sake of the bare little toes that will use it every day. Finally, I used linseed oil to finish it. I think it turned out pretty well for old, warped wood.

gir bot · Apr 25, 2023 19:37:45

The boot’s said that they could use a decent step for the library at Wheaton labs. So I made this 14” tall with two steps with 7” rise each. It’s 16” wide by 21” deep.

gir bot · Oct 01, 2023 12:14:32

Here's my BB submission. Just built it today. First BB ever!

gir bot · Mar 10, 2024 19:05:36

Built a stool with leftover lumber from the bench project and a free 2x4 from the hardware store (no, I didn't steal it).

gir bot · Jun 02, 2024 17:28:09

Some live-edge wood adds character in my dimensional lumber stool, which has been helpful at my worksite.

gir bot · Dec 29, 2024 12:51:34

Here’s a two step stool I made from part of a staircase and a 2x12. The footprint measures 14.5”x 18“.

gir bot · Nov 20, 2025 10:29:52

To complete this BB, the minimum requirements are:
- at least a 14" by 14" footprint (for stability)
- two steps (of course)
- no treated wood
- no paint unless you made it yourself

To document your completion of the BB, provide the following:
- photo of the wood you're starting with
- photo of the construction partially underway
- photo of the finished stool showing how it meets the size requirements
- or two minute video of the above items

I made a 14"x14" two-step step stool out of some scrap 2x4s I found in the barn.

The wood I am starting with.

I started laying it out to figure out how I wanted to construct it.

I cut six pieces 14 inches long and four pieces 7 inches long.

https://permies.com/t/283212/a/278636/thumb-IMG_20251117_104951_373.jpg

Laid the cut wood out how I wanted to assemble it.

Had to put a couple pieces inside to connect the second step.

The completed step stool is 14"x14".

I can stand on it.

Ta-da!

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