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Step Chair Jimmy DiResta creates a chair that does double-duty as a step ladder. Check out more Hammered projects and videos.

It's a chair! It's a step ladder! It's a chair and a step ladder.

Overview

This project is doubly useful as Hammered cohost Jimmy DiResta creates a step ladder that can be converted into a chair. Jimmy uses oak planks to carefully create the sides then pre-drills, screws, glues and clamps the pieces in place.

The top step also serves as bottom of the chair, so Jimmy installs hinges to allow the project to be flipped and transformed.

Below is a summary of the basic steps as seen in this Hammered project, as well as a list of materials and tools used.

Tools and materials:

3/4" x 8"x 8' oak planks (5)
band saw
radial arm saw
cordless drill; screwdriver attachment
clamps
yellow latex paint / brushes (1 pint)
4-fl. oz. container of wood putty
2" hinges and accompanying screws
square drive screws
wood glue

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Jimmy secures the seat, which also will serve as a ladder step.

Dimensions:

Overall: 31.5" high x 15 3/4" wide x 15.0625" deep

(A) Back Left/Right Sides: 31.5" high x 8" wide (at its widest) – when looking at the pieces in the chair position, each side has a bottom triangular portion (a flat 4" protuberance accepts the back seat) with an upper rectangular portion, and 3 subtle curves down the back.
(A) Front Left/Right Sides: 20" high x 10" wide (bottom), 5" wide (top) – when looking at the pieces in the chair position, each side has a triangular shape with a top 5" plateau to accept the back step, and two curves at the 10" width, and one shallower curve at the front edge.
(B) Front Step: 3/4" x 7-1/2" wide x 13 7/8" long
(C) Back Step: 3/4" x 5-5/8" wide x 13 7/8" long
(D) Top Step/Bottom of Chair: 3/4" x 4-/4" x 15-3/4"
(E) Back Seat: 3/4" x 5-7/16" wide x 15-3/4" long
(E) Front Seat: 3/4" x 5-1/8" wide x 15-3/4" long
(F) Back Rest: 13 " wide x 4" at peak of curve
(G) Accent under the seat (curves up on the very sides, curves down in the center to a triangular point in the center): 14-1/4" wide x 3" high

Steps:

1. With a band saw, cut the front and back sides (A) of the chair.

2. Cut out the front step (B).

3. Use a radial arm saw to cut dados in the front (6" up from the bottom) and back (3" up from the wider bottom) sides to accept the steps.

4. With a radial arm saw, cut out the back step (C).

5. Assemble the pieces by pre-drilling, screwing, and gluing. On the back and front sides, there should be two screws per side for the steps.

6. Cut out the top step/bottom of chair (D) and attach it with screws and glue.

7. Cut out the two boards for the seat of the chair (E).

8. With a band saw, cut out the back (F) of the seat, which has a slight curve on the top edge. Attach it with glue, and clamp it while you screw it.

9. Cut out the accent (G) that will go under the seat, and glue, clamp and screw it into place.
   
   
10. With a band saw, notch out 2" on the inner edges of both seat boards (2" from each side) for the hinges. Install the two 2" hinges by pre-drilling and screwing. Test the hinges, and when they work, drill the seat pieces into place with four screws on each side.

11. Sand all surfaces, and use wood putty to fill in any cracks or crevices. Apply one coat of yellow latex paint to the surface.