I have to admit that when I was asked to design and build this project it struck me as odd. Why would anyone want a junk box at the bottom of the stairs? Just as I was wondering about the judgment of project director Paul Lewis, I noticed my wife, Jill, arms filled with stuff, on her way upstairs. That's when I knew we could use one of these things after all.
There are important details to think about when designing a project like this. Size, weight and shape spring to mind, all of which are practical issues. That's why this project struck me as being more about utility than aesthetics. Sure, it needs to look good, but if that's all it does, the project is a failure.
I have a pretty good stash of old pine planks I've pulled from our house, so I decided to use some for this project. I also decided it would be a great opportunity to introduce you to hand-cut dovetails. They're much easier to cut in soft wood because too-tight parts still interlock fairly well.
I would have liked to build the stair box with standard 3/4"-thick lumber, but in the interests of keeping weight down, I opted for 1/2" material. If you don't have a thickness planer, consider visiting a friend who does, or plane your stock down by hand. The pieces aren't large and you'll have no trouble if you choose relatively knot-free wood. Before you cut the sides and ends to length and width for both the bottom and top box, measure the rise of your stairs. My design is ideal for stairs that rise 9", though that's easily adjusted by varying the height of the bottom box.
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This individual wood plan sample, also comes with our Do It
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This guide alone is worth the price of this plan. Our guide will
show you how to handle all kinds of different basic home repairs.
If you do just one home repair job yourself with this guide instead of
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these topics and more. Here's just an outline of the topics
covered:
3-Way Switches |
Drill Know-How |
Installing Glass Block |
Rail Fences |
Annuals and Perennials |
Drip Irrigation |
Installing Sinks |
Railing and Steps |
Asphalt Drives |
Drywall Joints |
Installing Thermostats |
Recycling |
Attached Decks |
DWV Systems |
Insulate an Attic |
Removing Finishes |
Attracting Birds |
Electric Hot Water |
Insulate Side Walls |
Room Dividers |
Basic Decks |
Energy Efficient Lighting |
Insulation |
Roses |
Biological Pollutants in Your Home |
Evergreen Trees and Shrubs |
Interior Painting |
Router Know-How |
Board Fences |
Extending Electrical Service |
Lavatory Put-In |
Safe and Secure |
Brick Walls |
Extending Existing Wire |
Lawn Fertilizers |
Sanding Abrasive |
Broken Windows |
Exterior Painting |
Laying Bricks |
Screen Repair |
Building Driveways |
Fine Finishes |
Laying Shingles |
Selection and Use of Hand and Power Tools |
Caulking and Stripping |
Flat Roof Repairs |
Leaky Faucets |
Selection and Use of Wood and Plywood |
Ceiling Fan Hookups |
Flowing Gutters |
Lightscaping |
Setting Stones |
Ceiling Tile |
Flush Toilets |
Making a Water Garden |
Shingles and Shakes |
Ceramic Floor Tile |
Foam Back Carpet |
Modern Stains |
Shower Doors |
Ceramic Wall Tile |
Foundations |
Molding Magic |
Skylights |
Chain Link Fences |
Fuse Failures |
Mower Tune Ups |
Spraying Paint |
Child Safety |
Garage Door Openers |
Nails and Screws |
Stairs and Landings |
Chimes and Doorbells |
Gas Hot Water |
Organic Flower Gardening |
Starting a Lawn |
Circuit Breakers |
Grass Carpeting |
Organic Lawn Care |
Steel Pipe |
Climate Control |
Greener Grass |
Organic Vegetable Gardening |
Stop Wood Rot |
Clogged Drains |
Ground Covers |
Outdoor Wiring |
Sump Pumps |
Closet Organizers |
Hanging Ceiling |
Paint Appliers |
Suspended Ceilings |
Clothes Washers |
Hanging Doors |
Paint Problems |
Switches and Outlets |
Combustion Pollutants In Your Home |
Hanging Shelving |
Parquet Squares |
Tiling Floors |
Concrete Mixing |
Hanging Wallpaper 2 |
Patching Plaster |
Underground Sprinklers |
Concrete Repairs |
Hanging Wallpaper |
Patio Doors |
Upgrade Kitchen Cabinets |
Concrete Slabs |
Herbs |
Phone Hook Ups |
Varnish and Enamel |
Concrete Walkways |
Home Composting |
Picket Fences |
Venting Attics |
Control Vegetable Pests Organically |
Household Hazards |
Picture Framing |
Video Hook Ups |
Controlling Turf Pests |
How to Miter |
Plan a Bathroom - Install Toilets |
Vinyl Floors |
Copper Pipe |
Indoor Air Quality |
Plants for Dry Climates |
Wall Paneling |
Deciduous Trees and Shrubs |
INDOOR LIGHTING |
Plastic Laminate |
Wall to Wall Carpeting |
Deck Covers |
Indoor Pollutants |
Plastic Pipe |
Water Conservation |
Deckscaping |
Install Bathtub |
Plugs Cords and Sockets |
Water Quality In Your Home |
Decorative Paint Finishes |
Install Plank Flooring |
Pool Care |
Water wise Gardening |
Dish Washers |
Install Recess Lighting |
Pre hung Doors |
What Is Radon |
Disposal Trouble |
Install Shower |
Pressure-Treated Lumber |
Window Insulation Film |
Divider Walls |
Install Track Lighting |
Pruning Trees and Shrubs |
Wires and Wiring |
Door Locksets |
Install Windows |
Wood Joints |
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