Step Stools & Plant Stands Woodworking Class

With Sineah McGrady

You do not need to take any of our Woodworking Fundamentals classes including Woodworking I, II, or III in order to take this class. No experience is required.

Wish you had a place to sit when you put on your boots? Pining to fill that sunny corner and elevate those succulents? Just too short to reach those mason jars? This hands-on workshop introduces you to the precision of compound angle cuts for creating elegant, flared legs and the strength of pocket-hole joinery for clean, sturdy assembly. You’ll leave with a beautiful, handmade piece of furniture and the skills to tackle more complex projects. Join this supportive beginner-friendly workshop, expand your handy DIY skillset, and connect with a community of fellow makers!

What You’ll Make:

  • A stylish and sturdy utility stool with a top measuring approximately 11" x 16" and standing 18" tall. This versatile piece is perfect as a functional step stool, a side table, or an elevated stand for your favorite plants.

Skills & Concepts You’ll Learn:

  • Essential woodshop safety

  • Properties of wood for indoor and outdoor project

  • Shopping for and cutting lumber to specific dimensions

  • Cutting compound angles on a miter saw to create flared legs

  • Using pocket hole jigs for strong, hidden joinery

  • Proper assembly techniques for a stable, long lasting result

  • Sanding and preparing your project for a home finish

Equipment & Tools You’ll Learn:

  • Miter saw, table saw, nail gun, bandsaw, and drill.

Class Outline:

  1. Introduction & Safety Overview: Woodshop rules, project plan, and safe tool use. Power point shared for reference.

  2. Demonstration: Instructor demonstrates each step of the project from cutting to assembly in stages.

  3. Hands-On Practice: Students receive guidance and feedback as they build their own shelf.

  4. Wrap-Up: Tips for home finishing (stains, paints, or oils), and personal feedback.

Other Class Details:

  • Prerequisites: None. No Experience Required.

  • Class Capacity: 6 maximum, 3 minimum

  • Materials Provided?: Yes

  • Age Limit: 14+. Guardian required if under 18 (info)

  • Partner Ticket Available?: Yes

  • Available for a Private Class?: Yes (info)

  • Clothing/Equipment Requirements?: Comfortable well fitted clothing, close-toed shoes, put your hair up, and be prepared to get a little dirty.

About the Teacher

Sineah has been teaching beginner woodworking classes at the Denver Tool Library since 2018. She grew up in Maine, constantly curious to do things independently. After moving to Denver in 2016, Sineah discovered the Tool Library and soon after began encouraging others to safely use tools and build things with their own hands. She started teaching friends in her own backyard until we opened up the workshop. She has taught stool/ plant stand, bookshelf, leaning shelf, cutting board workshops and more. Sineah will encourage you to creatively problem solve and by the end of class, will send you home with a project intended to impress your friends and yourself. Check out Sineah’s work on Instagram at @diyworkshopcollective