Shopsmith Forums

Once upon a time, back in my handwork days, I built this step stool. It was meant to be an exercise in making mitered dovetails.

I hand planed the pine boards down to 5/8" then did my best to make the joints using handsaw, mallet, and chisel.
It looks pretty beat up today after 20 years of use. But, I assure you, the workmanship didn't look any better when it was brand new. These were my first and last mitered dovetails.

I didn't think dovetails would be enough to make this piece strong, so I let in small diagonals into the rear.
Tiny 1/4" by 1/2" slats of wood are enough to transform something that should be rickety into something rock-solid. I can jump on this thing from any angle without a hint of flex, yet it's light enough that I typically hook it with my foot to move it where I need it.

I've made far better pieces, but this remains one of my favorites. Every time I use it to make myself temporarily 6" taller, I smile inside.

So, what's my point? I'm posting in the beginner's section for a reason. Seeing really fine work can inspire. And there's a lot of fine work posted on these boards. But, it can also be intimidating. Don't let fine work stop you from making sawdust. Make something, even something bad. It just might become a favorite.

Well said.

I am an electrician, been one since 1983. I am a MUCH better electrician now than I was in 1983. I just started woodworking about 3 years ago. I expect pretty much the same learning curve/experience.

+1
well you know what they say ,, It's how you deal with mistakes that make you a pro !

Those dovetails are going to prove a lot stronger than you think. But the joint will be subject to a lot of torque. I would have added the diagonals on front and rear. Hand tools were never my strong point.
Bill V

Isn't beginners stool something you find in a new born's diaper.

rpd wrote:Isn't beginners stool something you find in a new born's diaper.

- 100,000

wa2crk wrote:Those dovetails are going to prove a lot stronger than you think. But the joint will be subject to a lot of torque [...]
Bill V

The joints HAVE been subject to a lot of torque for 20 years. That includes jumping onto the stool laterally such that I'm intentionally trying to make the stool fold in on itself. It won't move.

Working in its favor is that it isn't terribly tall. And the dovetails are laid out the proper way (with tails on top) to resist the torque. I honestly have no recollection if I foresaw that when I laid them out, or if I just got lucky.

rpd wrote:Isn't beginners stool something you find in a new born's diaper.

Only if I'd painted it dark green.

hand tools are a must chisels, backsaws, handplanes, u need a vice of sorts, u need to learn how to sharpen edge tools, clamps u need clamps lots of clamps, a jigsaw for breaking down material less mess then the circular, router variable speed you will a need a few but one to start, planer, in my opinion straight knive planers are a thing of the past go with the chiklet teeth, jointer, i get by with my 6" king, as for a table saw you cant lose on unisaw, that is about the best you will do for 600$, some people think that a bandsaw might be a better invesrment then a tablesaw but that is a different can of worms, some advice take all the grease monkey tools and any related material and put it on the other side of the garage cause your gonna need the space