A Stool With Flip Out Steps

I was inspired to build a flipping stair stool because I had both a chair and a stool in my work shop. The chair was only really used as a step to reach stuff on the shelf but the stool was perfect for working at the bench. Now I have both uses in one and its a little less messy.

I used:

Metal

3/4 square tubing

3/8 metal rod

Wood

I used some oak for the stool top and step but you could use whatever you like.

Tools:

-Welder

-Metal Bandsaw or Something to cut metal angles.

-Router

-Digital Level or "Digital Inclinometer"

-Table saw

-Sandpaper

-Spray Paint

-Polyurethane (or whatever finish you like for the wood)

-Some type of levelling device

-Plunge saw (not necessary)

-Biscuit Jointer (not necessary, but adds strength if you are joining wood)

I glued up the wood for the seat and steps and let them dry while I welded the frame.

You could use whatever wood you would like but I had just enough oak around to get the job done. Also it's a nice strong wood that I think it will hold up well.

I laid out an old stool I had and use the angles that I got from it to build a table mounted rig for the metal then I welded it in place.

This part was tricky to get the angles right but I drew the whole thing out to size to make sure that when the steps flipped up they would not hit the stool seat, and when they flipped down they would make for comfortable steps.

-You can see that I settled on a 90 degree and angle and two 45s and it works out great.

In this step I basically cleaned up the welds :) ....obviously

The steps rotate on 3/8" circular rod. (I would use 1/2" next time) I ended up changing this because at first I welded it to the back of the legs but that was not safe. I drilled holes into the inside surface of the legs, inserted the rod and and welded it in place, this way it is supported by the both the structure of the material and the weld.

To get the step braces in level I used a Digital Inclinometer and it worked super great! I levelled them, clamped them, then welded them.

I clamped the steps in place on the stool before finishing the wood. This is so that you can check that the steps are flipping without anything bumping before starting the finish the seat and the steps.

Personally, I route-red the sides and applied some finish.

I degrease, then primed, then painted the metal.

I marked, predrilled and then hand assemble everything.

I then added some feet.

AND THAT'S IT!

Overall I am happy will this project. I miscalculated the legs by about a cm so the steps slant slightly down BUT I'll live with it. :)