(dopey music)
- [Marc] Dogs having problem getting into the truck?
You need one of these.
♫ Hit it
(upbeat funk music)
On today's show we're gonna build these
multi-functional pet steps.
Good girl!
Millie here is only five years old,
and even she could use a little bit of help
getting to high places, like the inside of this truck.
And those of you with older dogs,
or little dogs, you know how hard it
is for them to get up into their favorite
sleeping spot on the bed, so a set of steps
like this is gonna be really handy.
The other cool thing about them is
they actually turn into a ramp,
so let me show you how they work.
And we just bring the legs out, like so.
So you can see now we've got a nice
ramp that we can use, but we can also
go to the next step, literally,
and create a nice series of steps.
And just as easily, it collapses, for easy storage.
The project is made from 3/4 inch plywood,
and we're gonna build it in the back of this
2017 Honda Ridgeline.
You can easily fit full sheets of plywood
in the back of the Ridgeline, and you'll
only need one to get this job done.
Break the plywood down, according to the
cut diagram, using an edge guide and a circular saw.
And don't be afraid to get into your work.
Once cross cut into the main sections,
begin ripping the various project parts.
(saw whirs)
The stringers have a 50 degree angle
cut at the bottom, and a 40 degree angle cut at the top.
The legs also have a 40 degree angle cut at the bottom.
With the stringers clamped together
make careful measurements for the various
3/8 inch holes.
Most of the holes are a half inch deep,
but some do go all the way through.
(drill whirs)
For the through hole, and the stringers,
first start with a 3/4 inch forstner bit hole.
Then drill the 3/8 inch hole all the way through.
(drill whirs)
This should allow our bolt to sit flush with the surface.
Using the same bit, drill one inch deep holes
into the ends of the treads and risers.
Use some glue to attach the tread cleats
to the underside of the treads.
Once the glue is dry, use a small
roundover bit, or sandpaper, to ease all the edges.
Now cut some 3/8 dowel stock to just
a hair over 1 1/4 inch.
Glue the dowels into the treads and risers.
(upbeat ambient music)
Now drop the treads and risers into
the respective holes, and attach the second
riser on the other side.
To secure the whole assembly,
pre-drill and attach the two short
stretchers with screws.
(drill buzzes)
Use the 3/8 inch bit to help align the leg.
Make sure it's nice and square to the edge,
and strike a line.
This line shows us where to install
the third long stretcher, which also
serves as a stop for our legs.
Attach the legs by inserting a bolt
up through the hole in the stringer.
Add a washer between the leg and the stringer
to act as a spacer.
Now, finish it off with another washer and a lock nut.
Repeat the process on the other side.
Finally, attach the leg stretcher to the legs.
(drill buzzes)
And now we can give it a test run.
Looks pretty, pretty, pretty good.
For additional safety, add some adhesive
backed grip tape to the treads.
And just like that, this project is complete,
and the tools can stow away nicely
in the in-bed truck.
Now if you want to build this project,
you could download the free plans
at thewoodwhisperer.com.
Alright, let's go dogs.
Go on, you can do it.
You can do it Winnie!
Stella, come here!
Boing, boing.
Yay, good girl!
(laughs)