I made these step stools based on one my dad built, which was based on stools his dad built. The light green one in the back is the one I grew up with. It was always in use, sometimes as a step stool, sometimes as a chair, sometimes as a sawhorse, sometimes just a place to pile things.

One thing that was pretty common though with the old stool is that it was very easy to tip over while standing on it. After having my sister's kids fall off while playing my arcade machines I decided it was time for a new design that would be more tip resistant. I changed things so that the base has a larger footprint than the steps so that in order for it to tip it would have to lift the person up instead of just falling over.

The support underneath the steps is there to make the steps a little stronger but mostly to add some strength to try to prevent the stool from racking. I also made the support only a couple inches tall because I remembered using the stools as a small desk where I would sit on the bottom step with my legs under the top step. I still can't believe I was ever so small that I could do that!

I've made quite a few of these, some for myself, given some away, and I always think I should make some more. Check out the attached plans if you would like to make your own.

Media