Making a Seriously Solid Step Stool - Woodworking

[@JohnHeisz]

▶️ Get the full 8 video build course plus plans at the $5 per month level on Patreon: www.patreon.com/user?u=865843 See the build article for free plans for this project and many more details: ibuildit.ca/projects/how-to-make-a-step-stool/ This is a great looking solid wood two-step stool that'll be very handy to have around the house. While the joinery is fairly challenging, I've broken it down in the build course to make it reasonably easy for the average woodworker to do with standard shop tools. I used power tools for mine, taking it from rough milled lumber right to finished product, but it can also be done with hand tools only. Recommended wood is any solid hardwood. I used ash for mine. It can be made from a softwood such as pine, but I figure if you are going to these lengths for the joinery, it's worth it to use a nice hardwood.

[@TiriPon]

Hi, I really enjoy watching your videos. It looks like the only thing holding the 2 steps together is glue. I'm no wood worker. I may have miss something. I have the impression that it might not be enough to call it "Seriously Solid". Maybe I'm wrong?

[@SonOfPatriots]

@@TiriPon he actually use construction adhesive however the same goes for glue. It is plenty of strength especially with the type of joinery used.

[@EngineeringVignettes]

@@TiriPon - The glue joints are stronger than the wood itself.

[@dougprentice1363]

Love this channel

[@daveybphotography]

TiriPon Yes, I think you missed the great lengths he went to, to make all those dovetail joints. I'd have to watch again in order to confirm this next statement: This thing would hold together even without glue. This is a seriously strong build. Bravo!

[@as7river]

I love that virtually everything that can be made of wood in your shop is in fact made of wood. All that custom hardware in your table saw looks amazing, and that sled for your planer is great. I came here for stool ideas and ended up with 3 shop ideas unrelated to the stool. 10/10

[@oldman719]

The quality of your work combined with excellent filming make it a nice way to start off a Sunday morning for me. Well done sir.

[@JohnHeisz]

Thank you :)

[@FireAngelOfLondon]

I am going to be making a step-stool soon and have seen several KZbin videos by various woodworkers on how to make one. This is by far the most entertaining to watch and also contains some very sound ideas. The result is beautiful as well as functional and looks as if it will be around for hundreds of years. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@terry2346]

Made me think of the Amish masterpieces! Nothing not needed. No fancy unneeded exotic woods, no fluting or dodads, and just superb craftsmanship. Very well done!

[@JayBates]

That 3 degree clamping jig is so simple and so brilliant for the dove tails at the router table.

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks Jay!

[@ryandury]

Yup, noticed that too. Reminds me of the jigs people use for kumiko

[@hammerrfall]

But, why the 3 degree there?

[@blenderNOOb69]

No staple gun no nails - NICE WORK

[@1175ld]

In my opinion, this is one of your best videos. I’m talking content, production and music.

[@kstano83]

I´m not even a woodworker, but I find these videos so relaxing to watch. Thanks a lot!

[@TheTatfreak]

Seriously. Who could down vote a project like this. Haters. Wow. Nice work John.

[@houstonsam6163]

8:05 Those treads moving onto the sliding dovetails, followed by trimming and flushing with hand planes, is a thing of beauty.

[@mycompasstv]

Well done, terrific joinery and build, a stool destined to be passed down generations.

[@AndreaArzensek]

WOW WOW WOW! Absolutely beautiful step stool. I'm flabbergasted by the joinery and execution. That little bevel at the bottom is utterly fantastic. John, you nailed all the craftsmanship chords with this one, congrats!

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks Andrea!

[@jacobthellamer]

I need to make one for my daughter. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@dalebabbitt6185]

One word, BEAUTIFUL

[@craigsudman4556]

Yet another example of artistry in wood. Thumbs up John.

[@dandthenaandthenn]

What an immensely satisfying thing to watch.

[@CitizenAyellowblue]

You’re right! That is some pretty interesting joinery. Nice practical project, especially for someone who wants to learn some new techniques. Thanks John.

[@rufasgutz7656]

Leaning dovetail joints wow that takes some working out

[@foos.998]

That is some serious woodworking mastery, sir. Very calming to watch.

[@johncooling7732]

That's a great piece of design. A classic build worthy of a gallery show.

[@DanishPaintTech]

Dear friend you finish good,,,,good job...

[@DoNaSbaR]

It's not only a Step Stool. It's a Masterpiece for sure ! Both woodworking and video making !

[@wadefallin]

John, I built almost the exact step stool when I was junior in shop class back in high school! Mine was made of black walnut and is still in use today! The end grain was sanded so smooth, it reflected light like a mirror, so the stool wasn’t finish with anything other than linseed oil. The only real damage was done to it back in the late 1990’s when a puppy chewed one corner of the bottom step. Oh, I graduated from high school in 1972 so that makes the stool roughly 49 years old!

[@Rhyno186]

Sorry, but your claims to be "seriously solid" are to be considered false until Matthias jumps on it.

[@paulnels108]

Such a humble little piece and you managed to make a it a thing of beauty.. very well done

[@JamesManCave]

John Heisz at his best here. Sheer quality this, video and build.

[@vernonraines3002]

What fantastic craftsmanship! Great attention to detail, and you cannot beat oak wood for a project. Thank you so much

[@mikelongest7512]

I wouldn't dare step foot on that stool, nor let anyone else. It's just too beautiful.

[@martinroeeidhammer9108]

How the h..... can someone not like this?? Very nice design and good craftsmanship!

[@BentleyDesignCo]

Just wow. It's always great to watch a master work his craft. Excellent work of art, sir!

[@JimDockrellWatertone]

Something that nice for the shop? That's fantastic!

[@JohnHeisz]

Oh no, not for the shop :)

[@wwscott7595]

Stunning piece of work from homemade machines, jig's and clamps, and a touch of good craftsmanship. Music suited perfect.

[@TimRoyalPastortim]

Seriously strong and seriously beautiful. Nice work, John

[@bonniebarber6114]

Such a satisfying watch. Great way to start a Sunday morning.

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks Bonnie :)

[@DuncanEdwards.]

Respect young man

[@kevinoverholt1216]

That is awesome. I was just looking at a plastic still at IKEA for my grandson but now I have a better plan

[@thomasmarliere2505]

Who said you suck at woodworking ? This is beautiful ! I hope the course will be a success.

[@MiniLuv-1984]

It's a beautiful piece John.

[@FishersShop]

Great work John! Love the angles on the bottom and those dovetails. Turned out awesome.

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks :)

[@onpetree]

John you are a talented craftsman. You have created a work of art with this project. I look always forward to each and every post. Thank you.

[@riaz1555]

I have NEVER seen such beautiful work John!

[@stevek5988]

Very well done John. Not to many people appreciate good workmanship any more.

[@joe.nassimian]

Enjoyed watching! +1 for not using the nail gun!

You do great and everything is safe

[@WesHamstra]

That should hold. Love the way you joined the stretchers. Looks awesome!

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks Wes!

[@sapelesteve]

Agreed, that is one seriously put together step stool John! Love the joinery which should hold up just fine over the next few centuries.

[@tmbfam9425]

Something about the video to be satisfying and relaxing to watch. Great camera view points.

[@ofwoden]

I don't think that's coming apart anytime in the next few centuries or so.

[@Quiet215]

The only thing I'm concerned about is where the smaller piece is glued to the longer one, on the sides. Depending on the glue, I would say that that part would be the first to break. But soo well done and good looking indeed!

[@davidfagerberg9283]

@@Quiet215 the glue joint is stronger than the wood itself.

[@zodak9999b]

Another fine build, John! Dat joinery! Woo!

[@cheatman05]

I think I can smell the fresh wood as it's being cut! Awesome build

[@mars-lquebec9776]

I have seen in your videos that you cut your piece of wood in two pass when using your meter saw. The first one is by pulling the saw toward you by half the thickness of the wood and the seciond stroke by pushing trough the entire piece. Doing so you always have a perfect cut. Did you have mentioned that to yours supporters? GOOD JOBS JOHN I like verry much what you do. Congratulation.

[@森井弘幸]

Japanese DIY impressed by careful work

[@jimanddeb]

Beautiful job John.

[@danaowen9014]

What a beautiful technique.

[@gcarson19]

YES!!! PCA for the win!

[@imortaldeadead]

Fantastic video , with the mix of joinery and the use of power tools and hand tools. Thank you for sharing 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@rufasgutz7656]

Very very cool brother your workmanship is outstanding 👍👍👍👍

[@thegentlemanmaker]

That's beautiful, perfect joinery. Thank you.

[@ildefonsogiron4034]

This step stool looks beautiful, and may last forever. It's construction is very involved though. Regards.

[@moc5541]

Pretty bad-ass use of hand tools--- reminds us of Paul Sellers!

[@garethsnaim8174]

I like how slowly but surely the wood working shop is turning into wood.

[@mikeh2599]

John, thanks for bringing common sense back to my woodworking. I have taken your advise and started using construction adhesive on some of my projects. For once I wasn't a basket case trying to hurry my glue ups, plus freezing doesn't affect it.Thanks

[@ddm3125]

Beautiful project and beautiful video.

[@HGD70]

You, sir, are an artist. I always enjoy your craftsmanship and you’ve elevated a simple step stool into a thing of beauty.

[@thomaskelly1228]

I might be wrong, but I'm thinking that this would work without glue. I'm thinking the need for glue is seasonal expansion in the joints. Great job John.

[@JohnHeisz]

If you add dowel pins through the steps and into the top of the legs to keep the steps from moving it would hold together just fine without glue. But then the glue does keep everything from moving and eventually loosening up.

[@stevek5988]

@@JohnHeisz Only if you split the dowels and installed wedges

[@rericksen]

love the peanut butter joinery

[@jamesopell]

Really beautiful little touches.....

[@francislambert5189]

Nice stool for everything. Its just right.

[@dufreebell]

Unbelievable precision. It’s work of art done beyond passion. Thanks for filming and sharing the video.

[@EYALAVRAHAMI]

You are, indid, the best woodworker I've ever seen. And I've seen many of them here on KZbin. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Proud to be your patreon.

[@ranjdall]

Wow that thing is never coming apart and the videography was awesome.

[@danalaniz7314]

Really nice piece. The bevel on the outside of the cutout on the side pieces is a nice addition.

[@CtOblivion]

received the greatest enjoyment, watching the creation of this masterpiece

[@jgriff19861947]

Look great and made very well will last a life time

[@gelosoriano]

Pretty step stool that I don't want to step on. Great work!

[@malcolmbeecher8378]

You are a master with that chisel. 👍🤯

[@JamieBainbridge]

I think I'd need to watch this half a dozen times to understand every angle during build, but damn was it nice watching them all slot together perfectly at the end.

[@sacrajah]

It is a masterpiece. I love it

[@KSFWG]

Very nicely done. This is a great skill builder for someone wanting to take the next "step" up in their woodworking. It incorporates some really solid joinery to make this very strong and solid step stool. Thanks for the video!

[@rrobertomondo5173]

Nicely done John. Elegant little peice of furniture, excellent video.

[@camlafrance4363]

As usual John, GREAT WORK!!

[@SteveC38]

That's a great little stool John!

[@krtwood]

Recalibrating the Heisz scale. Good luck with the course!

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks! I think the Heisz scale could fit in between the single degree marks on the Turgeon scale :)

[@natemorales5731]

Just amazing...like the broken edges, full view of the dovetails and overall results. Well done

[@sanyaplatz5723]

Nice joinery. And video style evolution (more like Ishitani now) with soft music in the end, when you see perfection of what hands can make.

[@cobberpete1]

Beautiful piece John and very nice joinery

[@awldune]

Very nice, John

[@blackemmons]

Great job John!

[@themechanic6117]

very nice. It looks very solid ! enjoyed this

[@ralphwoodard609]

I just love the detail that you put into your work. I also like the fact that you have handmade clamps too. You don’t see that very often.

[@jribolla]

I love the angled chisel technique. I’m going to remember that one.

[@dustingomez7590]

This might be my favorite build from you, nicely done.

[@mattschoular8844]

Looks fantastic. Nice work John...

[@pauldisse1676]

Nice work John them some tough joints there

[@dennisd5776]

Great build. Nice mix of hand tools and power tools, with tried and true joinery. Thanks for the video.

[@jameshanoomansing1442]

love your work....true craftsman

[@kevinetheridgemakes]

Really cool build. Lotta technique and precision in a small package. Fun!

[@InformationIsTheEdge]

Clearly you are an engineering genius. I'm just glad to see that you are using your powers for good.

[@andreastsirpanis3323]

Pretty work John!

[@tjacksonwoodworker3726]

Very nice John..Merry Christmas..