Narrow Pull-out Folding Stepstool for Kitchen

[ChuckS]

Too many people are too complacent about ladder safety:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtube.com

 

[MacBoy]

Happened to watch Part 3 of this series as a possibility for my sister’s pantry.

Then I realized he made the fold-out expanding ambidextrous step stool in Part 1.

I like the cardboard prototype. He must have been listening to @ChuckS advice on an earlier reply.

He admits to over-egineering it.

By the way, I have seen these for $300 on AliExpress. Dunno about the true quality.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I'm kind of regretting how I built my kitchen now, a set of pull out steps would have been insanely useful.

 

[ChuckS]

I'm kind of regretting how I built my kitchen now, a set of pull out steps would have been insanely useful.

Is it possible to modify the existing configuration (e.g. resize some drawers) and incorporate the pullout steps?

 

[ChuckS]

Happened to watch Part 3 of this series as a possibility for my sister’s pantry.

Then I realized he made the fold-out expanding ambidextrous step stool in Part 1.

I like the cardboard prototype. He must have been listening to @ChuckS advice on an earlier reply.

He admits to over-egineering it.

By the way, I have seen these for $300 on AliExpress. Dunno about the true quality.

That cardboard prototype was convincing (and reassuring)! Btw, his shop is well-equipped (and spacious). I also caught sight of the JessEm stock guides on his SawStop. That accessory adds precision in cuts on the table saw.

And about his over-engineering it...as long as he enjoyed it.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Is it possible to modify the existing configuration (e.g. resize some drawers) and incorporate the pullout steps?

I was actually pondering that last night but I don't have any way to get the height needed, especially as the existing unit is very over-engineered.

I could do a short one with a single step possibly, I'll have to think on it as the wife is really particular on maximising storage and this would cut into drawer space a lot.

I had originally planned on building one of the chairs for our table that flip over into a small step ladder, but a pull out one is so much nicer. Kicking myself a bit now.

 

[Packard]

I'm kind of regretting how I built my kitchen now, a set of pull out steps would have been insanely useful.

The aluminum 2 step ladder that I bought from Amazon is extremely light and folds to about 2-1/4” thick and weighs about 6 pounds.. It would be very simple to incorporate in your existing cabinets, integrated hand holds. Perhaps from 1” or 1-1/4” diameter dowels matching the finish of your existing cabinets. Alternatively add leather strap holds if that works visually.

I had a nearly useless 4” wide cabient and it captures the ladder easily. I did not add hand holds, but I do touch the surface of the cabinets for added balance when I am standing on the top step.

I find that this ladder is exceptionally useful, largely because it is handy and very light. A built in ladder would be far less useful for me. I find this thread very interesting from a design point of view, but I would never consider it for my kitchen.

From Amazon:

 

[luvmytoolz]

The aluminum 2 step ladder that I bought from Amazon is extremely light and folds to about 2-1/4” thick and weighs about 6 pounds.. It would be very simple to incorporate in your existing cabinets, integrated hand holds. Perhaps from 1” or 1-1/4” diameter dowels matching the finish of your existing cabinets. Alternatively add leather strap holds if that works visually.

I had a nearly useless 4” wide cabient and it captures the ladder easily. I did not add hand holds, but I do touch the surface of the cabinets for added balance when I am standing on the top step.

I find that this ladder is exceptionally useful, largely because it is handy and very light. A built in ladder would be far less useful for me. I find this thread very interesting from a design point of view, but I would never consider it for my kitchen.

From Amazon:

That is really nifty thanks Packard, but the compactness has actually given me an idea, I could redesign the dual purpose folding chair/stepladder I planned to build into a smaller version that could go where the large bottom drawer will go, make it on a slider that pulls out with the upper step folds into the bottom step and just lift it back!

I think that's a go-er!

 

[Packard]

That is really nifty thanks Packard, but the compactness has actually given me an idea, I could redesign the dual purpose folding chair/stepladder I planned to build into a smaller version that could go where the large bottom drawer will go, make it on a slider that pulls out with the upper step folds into the bottom step and just lift it back!

I think that's a go-er!

Put perimeter rails on the drawer interior to hod the step ladder flush third the top of the drawer and still retain some storage beneath. Or, even better, let it reside in the toe kick. You can make it fit under a double-wide cabinet. The double-wide cabinet will likely need some center support, so keep that in mind.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Put perimeter rails on the drawer interior to hod the step ladder flush third the top of the drawer and still retain some storage beneath. Or, even better, let it reside in the toe kick. You can make it fit under a double-wide cabinet. The double-wide cabinet will likely need some center support, so keep that in mind.

I've got some beefy communications equipment rails I recovered from a datacentre cleanout that's rated for around 750kg, so they'll do very nicely I think. Could maybe weld up a basic frame and just use timber for the steps even.

 

[Mini Me]

For some reason, I always feel unsafe to step on the upper step of that kind of stool. A slight imbalance of the body may result in a bad fall. It might just be me, but I feel a lot safer if I can keep some kind of contact of my lower body or a leg with the ladder or stool.

To reach for something a little higher up, I usually would try the rolling step stool first: https://www.uline.ca/Product/Detail...MI5fvKxM3KkgMV_Q6tBh2cKStgEAQYAiABEgIke_D_BwE

There are a few golden rules for ladders. one is never to stand on the top step and the second is not to climb ladders if you are over 65.

 

[luvmytoolz]

There are a few golden rules for ladders. one is never to stand on the top step and the second is not to climb ladders if you are over 65 50.

Fixed it for you! ;-)

 

[ChuckS]

Fixed it for you! ;-)

Further suggestion:

"...and the second is not to climb step ladders (A-frame) more than the second step if you are over 65 50."

Avoid extension ladders. They are for the tradepeople. If you feel the need to use it to do something, that job is not yours to do. Hire someone who is trained to do it. No matter how much doing it yourself will save you in the pocket, it is not worth it. (I know someone (a business owner in his early 60s) who fell to his death from the garage top. Without the extension ladder, he would not have been able to go up to the roof.)

 

[Packard]

Further suggestion:

"...and the second is not to climb step ladders (A-frame) more than the second step if you are over 65 50."

Avoid extension ladders. They are for the tradepeople. If you feel the need to use it to do something, that job is not yours to do. Hire someone who is trained to do it. No matter how much doing it yourself will save you in the pocket, it is not worth it. (I know someone (a business owner in his early 60s) who fell to his death from the garage top. Without the extension ladder, he would not have been able to go up to the roof.)

I swallowed a gyroscope as a young man, so not an issue for me.