Introduction: Folding Stool
You are going to make a small folding stool
Supplies
You will need:
Timber, hand saw, coping saw, ruler, marking gauge, bench hook, sandpaper, drill and philips head screwdriver
PVA glue
12 x 40mm timber screws
2 x 35mm timber screws
4 x M5 50mm bolts
4 x M5 nuts
4 x M5 washers
4 x M5 lock washers
Step 1: Preparing the Timber
- If the end of your timber is damaged, it's best to cut this off
- Mark out the end with square
- Mark out the sides too
- Cut the end off making sure to keep your saw straight so your cut is straight and precise.
Step 2: Cutting the Slats
Your first piece of timber will be the used as the slats of the stool.
You will need to cut 7 of these.
Size: 330mm x 36mm x 18mm
Now it's time to start marking your slat
Measure along the length of your timber and make a mark at 330mm
Use a builders square to mark a line at your marking (330mm)
Draw an X on the waste side of the timber
When cutting, DON'T CUT ON THE LINE.
Cut just to the side of the waste side marked with the X (This way your slat will be the right length!)
Use some sandpaper to sand down the end to make it smooth
Step 3: Drilling the Holes on the Slats and Sanding
Measure 70mm from the end of the timber and make a mark
Use a builders square and draw a line at the 70mm mark
Use a marking gauge to find the centre of the slat width and mark this.
Use a 3.5mm drill bit and drill a hold all the way through the piece (at your 70mm/18mm mark)
Sand all the corners of your slat so they are not sharp
REMEMBER YOU WILL NEED 7 SLATS FOR THIS PROJECT!!
Step 4: Making the Main Planks
You will need to make 2 Seat Planks.
Using a piece of timber 40mm wide and 19mm thick, Cut a 300mm length. (You will need 2 of these.)
Make a line across the plank 200mm from the right end.
At each end, make a mark 30mm from the bottom and end
Draw a curve on the bottom corners with a 30mm radius (as shown in the picture)
Mark a point 43mm from the left edge and 26mm from the top edge
Draw a circle with a 16mm radius at this point (43/26)
Draw a 22 degree line from the bottom edge to the circle (as shown in the picture)
Draw a vertical line from the bottom edge to the left angled line (as shown in the picture)
Step 5: Cutting the Main Planks
Using a coping saw, cut the curves on the bottom corners
Using a 16mm drill bit, drill a hole all the way through the main plank
Using a hand saw make the 22 degree cuts from the bottom of the plank to the 16mm hole
Cut a vertical line from the bottom edge to remove the corner of the piece
Sand all the edges and corners to make them smooth
Step 6: Marking Leg 1
You will need to make 2 of Leg 1
Using timber 36mm wide and 19mm thick, cut a 507mm length. You will need 2 of these.
Mark centre point 80mm from left edge
Mark centre point 210mm from left edge
Mark centre point 290mm from left edge
Mark centre point 490mm from left edge
Draw a line from the top left hand corner on a 56 degree angle
Draw a 18mm diameter curve on the right hand end of the leg
Step 7: Making Leg 1
Using timber 36mm wide and 19mm thick, cut a 507mm length. (You will need 2 of these.)
Drill the 16mm at the 80mm mark
Drill the 6mm holes at the 290 and 490mm marks
Use a hand saw to cut the 56 degree line on the left side of the leg
Using a coping saw, cut the curve on the right end of the piece
Use sandpaper to smooth all the corners of the legs
REMEMBER YOU WILL NEED 2 OF THESE LEGS
Step 8: Marking Leg 2
You will need to make 2 of Leg 2
Using timber 36mm wide and 19mm thick, cut a 507mm length. (You will need 2 of these.)
Mark centre point 80mm from left edge
Mark centre point 210mm from left edge
Mark centre point 290mm from left edge
Mark centre point 490mm from left edge
Draw a line from the top left hand corner on a 56 degree angle
Mark a point 18mm from the top and right edge.
Use this point to make a curve with a 16mm diameter
Sand all the sharp edges of the leg
REMEMBER YOU WILL NEED 2 OF THESE LEGS
Step 9: Making Leg 2
Drill 16mm holes at the 80mm mark and 483 mark
Drill the 6mm hole at the 290
Use a hand saw to cut the 56 degree line on the left side of the leg
Using a coping saw, cut the curve on the right end of the piece
Use sandpaper to smooth all the corners of the legs
REMEMBER YOU WILL NEED 2 OF THESE LEGS
Step 10: Making the 2 Crossbars
Mark 16mm dowel length at 290mm
Cut 2 x 16mm dowel to 290mm
Mark 16mm dowel length at 250mm
Cut 1 x 16mm dowel to 250mm
Step 11: Pieces Needed for Assembly
Step 12: Assembling the Legs
Apply PVA glue to holes in Leg 2.
Insert 2 x 290mm longer dowels into the 2 x Leg 2.
Apply PVA glue in holes in Leg 1.
Insert the 250mm dowels into the holes in Leg 1
Join Legs 1 to Legs 2 using bolts, washers, lock washers and nuts.
The bolt head always goes to the outside of the stool and goes through both sets of legs
Leg 2 sits over Leg 1.
The washer fits over the bolt closest to the Leg 1, followed by the lock washer, and finally the nut.
Tighten the nut allowing the legs some movement so the stool can be folded and unfolded.
The nut can't be too loose or too tight.
Step 13: Attaching the Slats to the Main Planks
Begin by adding a small amount of glue on the under side of the planks on the area around the screw hole at each end.
Start spacing the slats over the main planks
The first plank will overhang the main plank by 6mm
Space each slat 10mm apart
Using a phillips head screwdriver and 40mm wood screws, attach each slat to the main planks.
Use 2 x 35mm to attach the 2nd slat to the main plank (this plank sits over the 'hook' on the main plank)
Make sure that the screw heads are countersunk so that they don't stick out.
Step 14: Connecting the Seat to the Legs
Place the seat area over the legs.
Leg 1 attaches to the main plank
Insert the bolt through Leg 1 and the main plank.
Place washer, followed by locking washer and nut onto the bolt
Tighten the nut allowing the legs some movement so the stool can be folded and unfolded.
The nut can't be too loose or too tight.
Your Folding Stool should now be assembled.
Finish the work with sealer, paint or stain to your liking.
