How to make a Folding Stool Part 1

How to Make a Folding Stool Part 1 Tutorial

Materials Needed:

• Maple boards (8-foot long, 10.5 inches wide, 4 quarter thickness)
• Glue
• Router table
• Table saw
• Flush trim bit
• Bearing
• Hearing protection
• Eye protection
• Plywood (half-inch thick)
• Cardboard (3/4 inch wide)
• Brad nail
• Circular saw

Step 1: Prepare the Maple Boards

1. Start by planing the maple boards to clean them up. Due to defects, you may end up with boards around half an inch thick instead of the desired 1 inch thickness.
2. To achieve the 1-inch thickness for the stool top and legs, laminate some of the boards together using glue.

Step 2: Join the Edges of the Boards

1. Use a router table to clean up one edge of each board to create a reference edge for further cutting on the table saw.
2. Adjust the router fence to act as a jointer by adding a shim on the outfeed side to account for the material removed.
3. Secure the fence and use a flush trim bit with a bearing to create a smooth edge on the boards.

Step 3: Cut and Shape the Legs

1. Rip the boards to size for the legs and clean them up using the router table.
2. Cut the legs to size and add a 22.5-degree angle to act as the feet when the stool is in use.
3. Use a template and a flush trim bit to round over the ends of the legs for a smooth finish.

Step 4: Cut the Stool Top

1. Create a circle-cutting jig using plywood and cardboard to cut a 12-inch circle for the stool top on the table saw.
2. Measure and mark the center of the stock to ensure the circle fits within the material.
3. Use the jig with a pin set at the desired radius to cut out the circle on the table saw.

Step 5: Final Assembly

1. Take the legs over to the router table along with the template to shape them further.
2. Use a bandsaw to cut off excess material from the legs.
3. Finish shaping the legs using a flush trim bit on the router table.

By following these steps, you can successfully create a folding stool with a collapsible design using maple boards and basic woodworking tools.