Built of walnut, this elegant step stool offers beginner woodworkers some great lessons in joinery that can be easily incorporated into larger projects as their skills progress.
In this Video Project series, you’ll learn how to to use templates at your router table to produce perfectly identical furniture parts safely and quickly. Then you’ll learn how to cut and assemble beautiful wedged through-tenons that are super-strong and easy on the eyes. The wedges are made from a contrasting wood for more visual appeal.
Most of the operations in this project can be carried out with basic woodworking power tools like a tablesaw and drill press. That sais, if you don’t have a planer and jointer like the ones used in the video series, don’t worry, most hardwood lumber dealers will be more than happy to surface your lumber for a small fee when you purchase your materials.
Video by: Gina Eide; Editing by: Michael Dobsevage
Built of walnut, this elegant step stool offers beginner woodworkers some great lessons in joinery that can be easily incorporated into larger projects as their skills progress. In this Video…
Pattern Routing Rough out a whale’s tail on the side pieces then refine the shape using a pattern-routing jig. Once the top is shaped and the mortises are cut, it’s…
Tenons and Tapering Once the whale's-tail profile is cut, finish the side pieces: cutting the tenons and tapering the sides. Cut the tenons Lay out the tenons using a marking…
Preparing for Wedges Once you complete the step-stool sides, it’s time to work on the stretcher. Dry assemble the sides and the top and check for square. Use the assembled…
Assembly and Glue Up Glue up the footstool, insert and trim the wedges, and apply a wipe-on finish. Chamfer the top Before the step stool can be put together, rout…
Watch our experts build a piece of furniture step-by-step on video and download a detailed project plan so you can build along.
If you're looking for a new woodworking project, try one of our video workshops. These are complete, online courses taught by some of the best woodworkers in the country, and include companion articles, project plans, and step-by-step video instruction.
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