Japanese Style Stool

Creation of a Japanese-style stool with hand tools only

Supplies

A 4 foot by 6 inch board of 1 inch thick walnut

A 1-foot-by-1-inch piece of maple wood, 1 inch thick

Three wood chisels (1 ’’, ¾ ’’ and ½ ’’)

A hand saw

A Scraper

Sandpaper (100, 150 and 220)

Wood glue Wood varnish

Step 1: Cutting

Cut 4 pieces of walnut with a handsaw

1 piece of 14''x6 " x1" (Platter)

2 pieces of 9''x6'x1" (Feet)

1 piece of 14''x1 ½’’x1’’ (Crosspiece)

Also in maple wood

2 wedges 3''x1''x1 " (to fix the crosspiece)

8 shims 1‘‘x1''x1 / 4‘‘ (to fix the feet)

Step 2: Round Off the Corners of the Feet

Using a wood chisel and a scraper, round off the corners of the feet.

Step 3: Creating the Holes

Creating holes with wood chisels

4 holes 1’’x 1 '' on the top of the platter

1 hole on each foot 1’'x2 ½ ’’

Step 4: Create the Platter Curve

Make lines with a paper grid at regular intervals. Indicate the desired depth.

Saw to the planned depth with a saw. Remove the extra wood with a wood chisel.

Finish with a scraper until you get the desired curve.

Step 5: Create the Tenons of the Feet

Using a saw and a wood chisel, create two tenons in the legs with the same dimensions in the holes in the table top. Cut the top of the tenons at the same angle as the platter top.

Make two slots in the tenons to insert the future shims.

Step 6: Cut of the Crosspiece

Cut the ends of the crosspiece at 30 ° with a hand saw

Step 7: Manufacture of Shims

Cut the wedges into spikes until you get a perfect fit between the pieces

Step 8: Gluing

Glue the different pieces together with wood glue and checkthat the angles are correct (90 °) and that the feet are lying flat.

Step 9: Painting

Sand with 100 sandpaper, then 150, and finally 220 to obtain a good result.

Apply 3 coats of varnish with a light sanding between each coat.

Comments

[lord_bow]

I dont understand how the shims fit into the slots on the tenons, and I don't understand how those shims hold the top plate in place. Can you please explain with more details step 6: putting the shims into the tenons?

[Sadrcityboys]

It works like an ax or a hammerhead you put the handle in IE the tenon then you shim it that's making it a tight it and better than nailing or gluing actually if done correctly it doesn't need to be glued

[Design•Time]

Nice job! Thank you for sharing your project!

[tlebsack]

re: "check that the angles are correct (90 °) and that the feet are lying flat."
What do you do if they are not ?? Sand ?

[jabutleratmacdotcom]

Truly a work of art. A lot of work, and beautiful. Congratulations!

[MarkP47]

Your very first instructable, and you won the grand prize in the "hand tools only" competition.
Well done. You've now inspired me to make a longer version of one of these to sit on my decking.
Congratulations.

[Stevens Workshop]

Brilliant, a well deserved winner of the contest

[tonyio]

Lovely. Thanks for sharing.

[jim_henry]

Beautiful! It makes me think I could ALMOST do it. :)

[NEW PEW]

Great Instructable! Congrats with being a finalist in the Hand tools only challenge!

[Nikita Maree]

Beautiful build. I really love the lighter coloured wedges.
Great Instructable.

[clem.coloradeau]

Hello Nikita,
I'm very glad you noticed this color change. That's why I chose this piece of walnut.
Thanks for you message.

[clem.coloradeau]

Hello, yes you right it's my first instructable and at the end I realized that I didn't took enough pictures... I'll try to improve that next time. Thanks

[Lucas Nam]

well done making this!

[clem.coloradeau]

Thank you Lucas !

[renato.repivot]

Estou adorando esta plataformas, exatamente por ter esta posibilidade de poder baixar um projeto completamente. muito grato

[Stevens Workshop]

Love it, what a beautiful piece. I'm planning on giving this one a go.
Thanks for the upload.

[clem.coloradeau]

Thank you Steven for your message!
It makes me happy to share this project.

[garfieldgurl]

Beautiful work! Love that stool design.

[clem.coloradeau]

Thank you Garfieldgurl !