My Third Dovetailed Step Stool

I just realized the picture of the back of the stool was taken in between finish coats so that is why its a bit sloppy looking in the pic.

-- Dan - "Collector of Hand Planes"

Nicely done! Those look like some very thick and sturdy dovetails.

Any particular reason for making it out of basswood? I’m asking because I don’t have much experience with basswood.

-- "hold fast to that which is good"

Brandon – I have a stack of maybe a few dozen rough sawed basswood boards that I got from my dad who had them milled years ago. I am assuming basswood trees are common in my area as I see it around here often. So to answer your question there was no particular reason other then I have a lot of it on hand.

I do like working with Basswood though. Its usually rather clear and very easy to cut and carve. I got a lot of practice using my hand planes on basswood.

-- Dan - "Collector of Hand Planes"

Very nice.
I have been doing wood working for many years and I still to cut my first dovetail.
May be one of this days.

-- Bert

That’s a nice stool. Good work!

-- helluvawreck aka Charles, http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com

Thanks for the response, Dan. I’ve seen a lot of people carve with basswood, but I don’t see too much furniture made from it. Perhaps I’m not looking the right places. ;-) But the basswood on your step stool is beautiful and I can see why you would use it.

-- "hold fast to that which is good"

Brandon- Basswood although considered a hardwood is very light weight and soft. This makes it a great carving wood but not so great for fine furniture. So ya its most common for carving but it can be used for anything. I have built many things out of Basswood and I have grown to really enjoy working with it.

I am willing to bet its probably an overlooked wood for anything other then carvings but I think if given a try most would find it quite a pleasure to work with for non carving projects.

-- Dan - "Collector of Hand Planes"

Thanks, Dan. Who knew a the footstool could be an artform. Really nice.

Great build Dan. That beaut looks steady as a rock and the dovetails are terrific!

-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt!

very nice, and very stout

-- Roger from KY. Work/Play/Travel Safe. Keep your dust collector fed. Kentuk55@yahoo.com

Nice build and great project idea, too.

-- Don't anthropomorphize your handplanes. They hate it when you do that. -- OldTools Archive --

Nice stool. I’m making one from some dumpster treasure pine very soon. You’re in G.R. I’m less than an hour away.

-- Matt CueBall Rosendaul. I don't think I've ever had a cup of coffee that didn't have cat hair or sawdust in it.

Dan, very nice stool. I am considering something similar. Do you mind sharing the dimensions (specifically the height of the first and top step)?
Thanks!
Fred