The Simple Stepstool Baby Bench

Materials

1 – 4/4 Wood Board (Min 7.5” in width and at least 30” long)

8 – 1.5” Nails

Wood Glue

Tools

Table Saw (Or Circular saw or rip saw will work)

Clamps or weights

Hammer

Sandpaper Square

Recommended Wood

For this build use a Hardwood which will be sturdy for the best product. Good options include Oak, Walnut, or Cherry, though other woods will work. If building for outdoor use Cedar would be a good choice.

Instructions

1. Cut all parts out on a table saw or using another cutting method.

a. If using a table saw, easily cut the bottom notch by setting the blade to a 45-degree angle and setting fence to 2 inches. Slit board to cut one side of angle and then flip board around and make a second cut. Slowly adjust the blade depth until you find the correct depth.

2. Drill Pilot holes in the A Pieces, they should be .5” from each side and at .5 and 1” from the top.

3. Using a square align B on par A with the 1.5” side sitting flus with the side and aligned with the pilot holes.

a. First align 1 Part A and one Part B, place some wood glue on the side of Part A, and then drive 2 nails through the pilot holes to hold the boards securely.

b. Repeat this step with the second part b, connecting it to the A/B Combination piece from step A.

c. Making sure all pieces are square, wood glue the opposite sides of B and attach the other Part A as don in prior steps.

i. This part will now by called “The Base”

4. Make sure the parts are flush and stand straight.

a. Using sand paper, sand the top platform, as well as the feet in order to ensure a flat, surface which does not rock.

5. Place wood glue along the entire top of portion of The Base.

6. Lay Part C Flat (Referred to as “The Seat from here forward”) with the Face of the wood toward the ground.

a. Flip the base and place on the side of the seat/part C now facing up, this portion will be the bottom of the top of the bench.

b. Ensure that the top has equal space from all sides of the Base.

c. Flip over the Base and top, the substance of the bench is now done.

d. Place weights on the seat while glue is drying, and preferably, clamp seat to base using one clap one each side.

7. Wait a day for the glue to dry properly and remove the weights.

8. Sand the entire piece, make sure to remove all sharp edges. Progress from a low to high grit sandpaper.

9. Stain, Paint, Seal, varnish, or otherwise finish as desired.

Optional Steps

1. If you would like to make this bench a little easier to pick up and move, you can add a handle(s) in any of the following ways:

a. Basic - screw on some hardware handles to the sides of B.

b. Advanced – Cut a handle into the center of the top for easy carrying.

2. Your child may decide to push this around, which will make a “nails on chalkboard” sound if you have concrete or tile floors. Solve this problem by placing a small felt furniture pad on the bottom of each foot.

Part Diagrams

The following diagram shows the pieces which need to be cut.

Board Cut Diagram

The following Diagram shows the way to cut this from a single board as described in the plans.