From the master that brought you the kneehole desk

[Mike Keating]

Well, at least from his classroom anyway. This is a simple step stool, I created while attending a handtool class taught by Alan Turner a few months ago. This was my first experience creating a project with 90% handtools. This represents: 1st handcut dovetails, first handcut mortise and tenons, first wedge tenons, and first time using shellac.
It is made completely of cherry, with 1 coat of tung oil (dried for 10 days due to humidity in the northeast) and 2 coats of shellac.

Mike Keating

[Jeff Sudmeier]

Mike,

It looks fabulous!! Those that can hand cut dovetails really do have a great skill. Heck I don't even machine cut dovetails yet

Great job, glad you had fun with it!

[Chris Padilla]

I assume the legs are perpendicular to the seat? I think it just may be the photography giving it a slight taper. Congrats and a great piece to get started with!

[Jon Olson]

Fun Project....functional and detailed...nice start.

Jon

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Mike....Alan's going to smile. Neat first project!

[Jerry Palmer]

After the wonderful desk, I was almost afraid of the envy and depression I was going to suffer seeing more of Alan's work.

Great job Mike! I envy your being able to study under Alan, even if it was for only a short time. And a very nice job on that stool.

[Alan Turner]

Ken,
You are correct, I am smiling. Mike was an enthusiastic and skilled student who is quite adept at power tools, but just needed a bit of a neander nudge.

Nice work Mike, and you should be proud of this, your first DT project. Next up? Perhaps a bureau so you can really get some practice on those DT's. They are a lot easier to do after the shock of the first set. Your post is the reason that I enjoy teaching.

[John Miliunas]

Well done, Mike! Man, that is indeed a LOT of handwork, especially for an electron-burning kind of guy! Hand cut DT's are on my list of "need to learn" and I can only hope they come out nearly as nice as yours! Good job and Alan, you're obviously as skilled at teaching as you are a functional WW!

[Brian Buckley]

Super work Mike, first class dove tails. Alan, do you except dummys from Texas as students? You are obviousely as adept at teaching as you are woodworking.

Brian

[Roy Wall]

Mike - good looking work my man!! I think we're all proud too That had to be a blast learning from Alan - He is definately a master!!!



Keep it up - good stuff!!!

[Mike Keating]

Hello all,

Oh yes, working with Alan was a real treat and a good time was had by all. He is very enthusiastic about teaching and we were all happy to learn. To clear up one question that has come out, the legs are tapered (ie: the sides are a shape over 3/8 inch thick and the middle is 3/4 inch thick). The bevel is about 2 and 1/2 inches. I should have cut the dovetails before making the bevel, but I didn't and probably made the project alot harder than needbe. . . oh well, story of my life.

Mike Keating

[Chris Padilla]

Super work Mike, first class dove tails. Alan, do you except dummys from Texas as students? You are obviousely as adept at teaching as you are woodworking.

Brian

Lol, a little play on words there, Brian? Mixing up "except" and "accept" is always interesting because they have the exact opposite meanings...at least in the context you have used the word!

"I excepted the job." means I did not take the job.
"I accepted the job." means I did take the job.

Sorry, just having a little fun with you....