Introduction: FRANKLIN LIBRARY CHAIR FOR DOLLHOUSE

By MY SECRET PLACE
About: In my shop I have a name for hammer, saw, and plier. The saw is Tess, the hammer's Joe, and Glumdalclitch is the plier. Yes, I'm brillig, and my slithy toves still gyre and gimble in the wabe. With that, le…

This is a prototype of the Benjamin Franklin library chair made for a doll's house. I call it a prototype because I wanted to see if it could be done, and if so, what I'd have to do to make one attractive enough to actually go into a doll's house.

Step 1: THE BEN FRANKLIN LIBRARY CHAIR

The invention of this chair that turns into a step stool is attributed to Benjamin Franklin. I've built several over the years (one pictured above) and have given them all away as gifts. I thought it would make a nice Instructable, but when I printed out the plan I got a different idea. Make a doll's house sized version.

Step 2: THE DOLL'S HOUSE VERSION

I figured I'd use the actual printed plan as my template. I cut some scrap pallet wood, taped two pieces together and glued the template to the two.

Step 3: MY NEW TOY

My two sons and daughter-in-law bought me this Jig Saw for my birthday on 7/31. Of course, if you know anything about me, I love jigs. I built a squaring jig to check the squareness of the blade.

Step 4: I CUT OUT THE PIECES

I made two templates in case I really messed this first one up. I cut out the pieces. I drilled a hole in the places for cut-outs, fed the blade through and cut away the waste. I mixed super glue and sawdust to fill in the pallet wood's imperfections.

Step 5: POP STICKS TO THE RESCUE

I cut pop sticks for the back rails, seat and steps. And super glued them all in place. I used painter's tape as a temporary hinge.

Step 6: THE TEST

I checked to see if it worked. It did.

Step 7: SPRAY PAINT

I spray painted it.

Step 8: THE BEN FRANKLIN DOLL'S HOUSE LIBRARY CHAIR

I used white duct tape to cover the seat and act as a hinge. And here is the final result. I consider this a prototype. If I were to build this again I'd use better wood, sand more, cut better, and definitely wear my magnifying head gear for the small details. I'd add a pair of tweezers to my assembly tools, too. Maybe some CA activator. I've got super glue all over my fingers. Anyway, this was a fun test to see if I could do something. And, yes, that's my coffee cup. I told you I was old.

Step 9: ANOTHER LITTLE SHOP OF JARFOLD INSTRUCTABLE

Let me know what you think. Comments are always welcome and questions are always answered.

KJ