Projects / Step stool

Step stool

A sturdy 9″ step for the kitchen, with arched cutouts in the legs.

Intermediate2 hours4 parts1× board
1×10 · 9¼″ × 36″A TopB LegB Leg1×4 · 3½″ × 24″C Stretcher

Cutting diagram

1×10 · 9¼″ × 36″A TopB LegB Leg1×4 · 3½″ × 24″C Stretcher

Bright pieces are your parts; the dimmed wood is left over. Every cut allows ⅛″ for the saw blade.

Cut list

PartQtyWidth × lengthCut from
ATop19¼″ × 16″235 × 406 mm1× board or ¾″ plywood
BLeg29¼″ × 8½″235 × 216 mm1× board or ¾″ plywood
CStretcher13½″ × 14½″89 × 368 mm1× board or ¾″ plywood

How to build it

  1. Cut all four parts. Keep the grain of the legs running vertically so they're strongest.
  2. On each leg, draw an arch 2″ high across the bottom edge, leaving 1½″ feet at each side, and cut it out with a jigsaw.
  3. Glue and screw the stretcher between the legs, 2″ below the top, keeping the legs square.
  4. Center the top on the legs with an equal overhang and fasten it with glue and countersunk screws.
  5. Round over the top edges, sand, and finish with a durable floor-grade poly.