Build a Cherry Stepstool — A Great Weekend Woodworking Project

This cherry stepstool is a fun woodworking project and could make a great Christmas or holiday gift. It’s a fairly straightforward build, and with the printable template included in the plans, it’s a project that most woodworkers, including beginners, can tackle.

The first step is to print out the plans and tape together the four pages that make up the full-size template.

I traced the template onto a scrap piece of 1/4-inch MDF beadboard I had in the shop. This gave me a sturdy template that I could use to make both sides of the stepstool exactly the same.

After rough-cutting the solid cherry sides on the bandsaw, I attached the template and used a flush-trim router bit to bring both pieces to their final shape. This is a great technique anytime you’re making multiple parts that need to match.

Attaching the printable pattern to a piece of 1/4-inch MDF to create a reusable template.

Cutting out the MDF template on the bandsaw.

Rough-cutting the cherry sides on the bandsaw, staying just outside the layout line.

Using a flush-trim router bit. The ball bearing follows the template, trimming the cherry to its final shape.

A Simple Trick for Sanding Curves

One of the useful takeaways from this project was making a curved sanding block.

I simply held a piece of scrap wood against the curved side of the stepstool, traced the curve, and cut it out on the bandsaw. Then I attached a piece of adhesive-backed sandpaper to the block.

This made it easy to remove any burn marks or machine marks left behind by the router while keeping the curve smooth and consistent. It’s a simple trick that’s worth remembering for future projects.

Tracing the curve onto a scrap piece of wood to make a custom sanding block.

Cutting the curved sanding block on the bandsaw.

Applying adhesive-backed sandpaper to the sanding block for smoothing the curved edges.

Assembling the Stepstool

The stepstool is made from just seven parts and assembled using a combination of butt joints, wood glue, and pocket-hole screws.

Once all seven parts were cut to size, I gave everything a good sanding before drilling the pocket holes.

With the holes drilled, I carefully assembled the stool, making sure everything lined up properly. As I worked, I cleaned up any glue squeeze-out with a damp rag and used a wet paintbrush to get into the tighter spots.

Cleaning up the glue as you go makes the final sanding and finishing much easier.

Once the stool was assembled, I gave everything one final sanding, and it was ready for finish.

Drilling the pocket holes for the screws that will help hold the stepstool together.

Assembling the stepstool using glue and pocket-hole screws.

Applying Waterlox wood finish to bring out the natural beauty of the cherry.

A Project That Will Last

One of the things I like about building with cherry is how the wood develops a deeper, richer color over time. It’s a beautiful hardwood, and this is the kind of project that will only look better with age.

This is one of those woodworking projects you can probably finish in a weekend or two. It’s practical, doesn’t require a lot of material, and if built well, could easily be used for generations.

I hope you enjoy spending some time in the shop building this stepstool and that it finds a nice place in your home or in the home of a friend or family member.

Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you in the next one.

Cherry is one of my favorite woods to work with. It’s easy to machine, and over the next few months, this stepstool will naturally darken to a rich, warm reddish-brown