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I was asked by my good friends and neighbors if I would mind building their young son (and my little buddy) a step stool. They said "Nothing Fancy" just something to help him overcome his height disadvantage for things like reaching the sink and bathroom breaks. Well, I couldn't turn down such a cool opportunity to build something special for my little friend.

I had the project on my mind while walking through the mill and found a beautiful piece of black walnut. I thought "Heck Yea!... lets make it nice!" Then I got to thinking that if I was going to make this stool from such dignified stock… It needs dignified joints as well. Then I got to thinking… If Im making dovetail joints… Why not hand cut hounds tooth dovetails? Then I got to thinking that this was not going to be an ordinary step stool…. I was in fact building my little friend an heirloom. So of course I had to inlay his name and a tractor (the boy flat out loves tractors) with nice curly maple.

I got in the middle of this project and started getting a few phone calls from folks asking if I could make more. As you can see… I did….lol. Now on the Parker and Jamisen stools I used my Leigh dovetail jig (yea I know… cheating right?...lol) for the joints instead of hand cutting them. I really enjoy cutting the joints by hand but I wanted to be efficient with my time on the other two.

All in all I am pretty tickled with these little jewels. I learned me some new techniques, played with some gorgeous lumber, and was able to create pieces that I hope one day will become very important to a few folks. Yea, I'm a sap… I really enjoy building meaningful stuff like this.





Thanks for checking them out…

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Comments

· In Loving Memory
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These are fabulous… best steps I have seen for a long time… job well done…
 

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Sweet.
You did a really good job on these.
And nothing like a step stool. People love 'em.

Steve
 

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Nice job Dan, beautifully made family heirlooms. Just think of the memories those kids will have when they use them for their kids.
 

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from rags to riches

what great work
and sentiment

well done
 

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544 Posts
And you say "nothing fancy"...... yeh, right!
These are fantastic Dan, what a beautiful choice of woods ( my favorites ) and perfect inlays…
This is something your "little friend" will show off to his friends and will keep for many years.
 

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great job on these. Thanks for sharing them with us.
 

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those are some big n beautiful dovetails Dan. The inlays are awesome as well
very nice projects
 

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You nailed it as always!
 

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Dan,
Really classy! The craftsmanship is evident and so is your affection for these kids. They will treasure these when they are all grown up. I really like the dovetails and the personalized inlays.
 

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Three perfect examples of your skill and caring : )
 

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Great job Dan. Really nice work!!
 

· Banned
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Realy they are looking good, nice inlay work, amazing job,
Thanks for sharing with us.
 

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Dan, I think you have found it!

You have made a regular 'project' BETTER… You've almost made it an heirloom!

Very NICE!

COOL… Keep it up!
 

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Dan, thanks for posting both the project and the story behind it. I really enjoyed seeing this one. The step stools would have been great in their own right (what is not to like about walnut) but adding the inlays took it to another level altogether.
 

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Beautiful work Dan, you have really managed to detail this to a fantastic level.
I'm impressed.
And some boys will be extremely happy here!
Best thoughts my friend,
Mads
 

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Really cool, I have to make my nephew one, I was just thinking what can I make him when I saw you great project. thanks
 

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Dan,

These stools are awesome. You are extremely talented. I really enjoy your projects and the stories that go with them. Thanks for taking the time to share with us.

Ben
 
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