What you'll need
Materials
Tick them off as you find them.
Tools
- Router with a straight bit matched to the board thicknessFind it →
- T-square router guide or straightedgeFind it →
- JigsawFind it →
- Miter saw or circular sawFind it →
- Pocket hole jigFind it →
- Drill/driver with countersink and 3/8 in plug bitFind it →
- ClampsFind it →
- Random orbit sanderFind it →
- Safety glassesFind it →
- Hearing protectionFind it →
- Dust maskFind it →
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How to make it
Wear eye and hearing protection and a dust mask at the router and saw, and test the stool on the floor before trusting it.
1Cut the parts
From the 1x12, cut 2 sides at 16 in and a lower step at 14 in. Cut the top step from the 1x6 at 14 in. Cut 2 aprons from the 1x4 at 13 1/2 in to fit between the sides.
2Shape the sides
Clamp the sides together. Mark and cut away a block from the top front corner, 5 3/4 in deep and 7 in down.
3Cut the arched feet
Draw an arch 1 1/2 in tall along the bottom, leaving 2 in feet at front and back. Cut both sides at once with the jigsaw.
4Rout the joints
On each side's inside face, rout a 1/4 in deep dado across the full depth, 8 1/4 in up. Rout a 1/4 in deep rabbet along the top of the back section.
5Drill the aprons
Drill 2 pocket holes in each end of both aprons, and a few along one long edge.
6Assemble
Glue the lower step into its dados and the top step into its rabbets. Screw through the sides into each step, countersunk, and check for square.
7Add the aprons
Pocket screw one apron under the front edge of each step. They stop the stool from racking.
8Plug and finish
Glue plugs into the screw holes, cut and sand them flush. Paint or seal it, then test it on the floor with your full weight.
Edie's tipRout both sides in one setup, clamped edge to edge. Matching dados make the stool sit flat.
Written by the DIY Project team. How we check · Report a mistake
