The Box Step

The last place that SWMBO and I lived, in San Diego was in a charming 1900’s craftsman house.

Part of its charm was things like the back door.

You stepped out onto the stoop, and either figured out how to dance around the screen door to use the awkwardly placed steps to nowhere, or you donned your parachute and jumped about 2.5’ down from the step to the patio.

I figured … since I had a three piece power tool set … I could build something.

So … enter the box step. 3/4” PT ply, interior L-Brackets for additional strength, Cabot outdoor stain, 3M safety tread stuff on the top, s/s piano hinge, and an overhang for lift-up of the top. It was so darned heavy, it didn’t need to be secured TO the stoop to avoid moving.

It held my wife’s gardening tools quite nicely.

I left it for the landlord, rather than move it to Colorado. I’m thinking it’ll be there for quite a while.

That was really my first “woodworking project,” and—while I knew I did a mediocre job, at best (!)—it really sparked my interest in this pastime.

-- -- Neil