Current project

[glenwilson]

We have this stool/steps that must be 40+ years old. We got it from Iz’s parents and they had it quite a while. It has obviously been well used over the years and the steps make it useful when you don’t need a step ladder but need a little height. I have tried to find something similar but have not found anything like it at all.

I would have like to have completely dismantled it but the rods cannot be removed without cutting the ends are deformed to keep them on and there isn’t sufficient excess to reform them.

The seat was held on with 4 bolts but they are some weird seat thread combination that I have not been able to find. The fixings used for the bolts are too thin to drill and tap with new threads. The seat is also chipboard that has seen better days so will need to have a lot of attention. Will get some wood to create a seat and use the router to finish it off.

The steps were held on with rusted screws that took awhile to remove. After that the were hand sanded with 60 grit sandpaper to remove the paint. They will now be finished using and electric sander and probably just finished using teak oil.

The frame has been masked off and primed ready for painting the top coats.

Not a “Project Son” level of complexity but is a satisfying project.

 

[lakaelo]

always having a laugh about this kind of "design" from the 60/70th. the intersting part of this is the quallity. when you buy this kind of suff today you can be glad its worrking for some month or 5 times usinng before it is breaking in parts under your ass.

 

[glenwilson]

That is true. Nothing wrong with this apart from the seat plastic and foam was split. Had spent a few months looking for something similar but nothing. The frame is solid and the steps still OK.

Now done the primer and was going to spray paint it satin black. Wife suggested some yellow paint we had. I was sceptical but better to do what she said. My scepticism was justified, now have to sand it down as the paint was shite but at least I did what I was told!

 

[glenwilson]

As the paint was such a success, i got back to polishing some door handles. These were more successful.

Update: the polishing was so successful TouchID no longer works with my thumb. Does feel a bit smoother now!

 

[edgarsmelderis12]

Wow ! Shines like lakas eggs

 

[glenwilson]

Wow ! Shines like lakas eggs

Literally have tears in my eyes laughing! Thank you.

So project stool/steps will be sanded today and treat that awful paint as undercoat. Will use spray paint to get a decent finish on it. I know only we will see it but I would still like to like the result.

 

[glenwilson]

Second attempt at painting started. Also going for an MDF seat. Did look at other alternatives but the cost of a natural wood piece that wood be durable (and from a sustainable source) was going to be about €30 at least. Also have new rubber feet for it too. Once the painting is complete I can start on the seat. Just need to cut the MDF and rout the edges and then sand and finish it. Final cost should be about €25 but as I said I have not seen a suitable replacement and this should keep it going for a lot longer.

 

[glenwilson]

Hadn’t planned on doing anything today but as the painting was finished I started on the seat. Cut the MDF using circular saw. The used the router for the edges. Not used the router for quite a while so had a quick practice first. Wife complained that wifi was iffy when using the router.

Sanded the seat and gave it a few coats of teak oil. Will give it a few more sands as the oil raises the wood grain. May give it a coat of varnish at some point - will see how things wear. Pleased with the result though.

 

[lakaelo]

very nice. impressing result

 

[edgarsmelderis12]

A man with hands growing from right place

 

[glenwilson]

Had originally used 30mm screws through the frame but I needed 35mm length screws as 40mm were too long. You can’t seem to get 35mm screws. Eventually the screws were not good enough so went with a countersunk bolt through the seat. This should give a lot more strength. Just nee to sand down the seat panel again after filling the holes and then finish it.