Collapsible Step Poser for Photography

My wife wanted a step poser for use with her photography business. I saw similar ones to this that sold for $300 plus shipping. I had a lot of poplar and not so much time, but if anything, I'm cheap. I had to rush to get this done for some dance pictures she was doing.

You will need:

• 3/4 inch thick lumber.
• Pocket hole jig and 1 1/4 inch pocket hole screws.
• Drill guide
• 4 bolts (1.4 inch, 3 to 3 1/2 inches long)
• 12 washers
• 4 wing nuts
• Sandpaper
• Finish materials

You can find plans in Sketch Up or PDF formats.

• Rip the legs and sides to 2 1/2 inches
• Rip the seat boards to 3 1/2 inches.
• Cut the legs to length (4 each):
  
  • 24 inches for the tall step
  • 16 inches for the middle step
  • 8 inches for the small step
• Cut the sides to length (12) of 13 inches.
• Cut the pieces that connect the sides to length (2 each)
  
  • 18 1/2 inches for the tall step
  • 16 3/4 inches for the middle step
  • 15 inches for the small step
• Cut the seat boards the sides to length (5 each)
  
  • 20 inches for the tall step
  • 18 1/4 inches for the middle step
  • 16 1/2 inches for the small step

• Drill 2 pocket holes in each end of the side pieces
  
• The bottom side piece 3/4 inch from the bottom of the legs.
  
  • The top side piece flush with the top of the legs
  • Clamp and connect the legs to each side piece

• Clamp the small step sided to the middle step sides, lining up where the bolt will go through
• Use a drilling guide and drill the holes at once through all four pieces. You may not be able to drill all the way through at once. If not, remove one of the sides and drill the remaining distance.
• Drill recesses for the bolt heads and nuts in the appropriate way.
• Repeat for middle and tall steps.

• Drill 2 pocket holes in each end of the pieces that connect the sides.
• Connect them to the sides flush with the top of each side.

• Drill 5 pocket holes on the top of each side.
• Attach the seat boards with pocket hole screws, spacing evenly.

• Sand to 220 grit
• Finish with desired stain and/or clear coat.

• Paint the bolts to match the finish.
• Use a 1/4 inch hex bolt with a washer on the head, another washer in between then two legs, and then another washer on the wingnut.
• Use wingnuts so they could be dissembled quickly and used individually. The best part of this step poser is that it folds up for compact storage.

You can find plans in Sketch Up or PDF formats.