OK, so my overarching goal in life is to harass my sister. She lives in Woburn with her husband and soon to be 2 year old son. I've been making stuff for my nephew so he can help me with my goal.

So far it has been toys that make lots of noise, wooden pull toy segmented catapillar (great on hardwood floors) and a xylophone.

The step stool seems like a good idea, right? He can use it to boost himself up to wash his hands or help with dinner prep (I'm thinking of sending him a how-to video on knife juggling) and of course, reaching the cookie jar so thoughtlessly pushed way back to the far side of the kitchen counter.

Rooting through my wood pile I really didn't have enough of any single species on hand to make one. Thought briefly about a "crazy legs step stool" with a combination of cherry, walnut and some birch. Nah. Instead I tooled over to the local BORG and picked out a nice wide piece of red oak. They have red oak trim through out the house so why not!

Sharpened up the hand planes and chisels to get this far. Everthing from a single board and only one glued up piece for a step. Won't be as fancy-smancy as some posted here but I know it will keep my sister busy.

Steps and stretchers:


Left and right sides w/ pins started. You can see how the short sides came off next to the long sides in the length of the board but then I flipped them to move similar grain together for the joint line:



Close up of pins:



Normallly I cut dovetails tails first but in deference to Tommy's podcast I'm doing these pins first. So far, so good. Spacing is a little more "organic" than when I layout tails first but that is just practice. But time to rehone the 1/2" chisel after cleaning out the pins on the short sides.

Rob,

I can hear your Sister now.... Damn those loud toys and the toymaker who built them!

You step stool looks great so far. I've always cut my pins/sockets first and haven't tried the tails first option. Let us know how it works out for you.

Bruce

Rob,

What a great gift to your nephew.

I always thought drums and recorders or flutes would
make perfect gives to ensure any - possible hidden -
musical talent did not get over looked.

Maybe he is a child prodigy. I can't think of a
nice way to help the budding musician along.

Maybe a guitar later on. Lots of intersting
ideas around. Lovely veneered ones too.

Look forward to seen the step stool progress and
more pictures.

You, sir, are an evil man!

I'm proud of you!

When you're ready to escalate the attack, let me know. I'm planning a bodhran (Celtic drum) for my missus and it would be an ideal addition to the weaponry, er, toys for your little accomplice.

Paul
the devious little guy