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We all tire at the bench and need to have a stool that is "just right" for our body size and all that…so this is what I came up with. It's recycled from a scrappy old fir bookcase. It even has the pith running through the middle of the seat! Typically a real "no-no," but I kind of liked it on this!

I shaped the seat and the legs with spokeshaves and joined it all up with through mortise and tenons, wedged with walnut. Didn't bother to sand this one - didn't want to waste the time on it! Just put a couple coats of oil and called it good.

What I didn't do, but should've…I didn't use compound angles but rather splayed the legs only out in one direction. I would have preferred the compound aesthetically, but not sure that it was necessary on this piece. It's certainly as sturdy as I wanted it to be and as it needs to be. However, I haven't built any chairs - yet. And, I haven't done much reading on the subject either, so if you all would give me some feedback on what you know about the use of angles for legs and what have you, I would appreciate that! Thanks!

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Comments

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Very charming. It invites you to sit on it.
 

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Perhaps you could add as an entry to the fine woodworking contest hosted by Lumberjocks. Jointery looks like its no glue or fasteners.
 

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oh, there's glue in them there joints!
 

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It looks nice. I don't know if I could have used that piece with the knot in the center for a seat. It looks like it is just waiting to split at any moment. I like the through tenons and wedged rungs.
 

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Dorje, how are the through mortises cut. Did you taper them to take the wedge? Can you talk a little about the joinery?
 

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Maybe I'm doing something wrong cause I never have a chance to sit down at my work bench. Nice stool.
 

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Mot - no tapers - didn't use any "advanced" techniques here. Just cut the kerfs with a backsaw and wedged them. The round mortises are just drilled out; the mortises in the seat I chopped out by hand.

Ron - you should try it sometime! Ha! I sit for a lot of chopping and paring tasks. I also stand quite a bit!
 

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oscorner - that board's been around for 25-30 years - most of it's life outside. Not too worried about a split on this one!
 

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Very nice stool, very cool, just love the finish and texture, jockmike
 

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Looks like a comfortable seat to me! A nice job .
 

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Did you intentionally leave your construction marks on the seat to save time? I actually like it as a design element…especially considering what the stool is to be used for. It enhances the simplicity by showing disregard for a polished finish, and yet also highlights the technical craftsmanship of the joints.
 

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Very comfortable looking stool. I made a second workbench that 24" off the floor so that I can sit on a chair when I'm working on it.
 

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Thanks for all the great comments!

Bob- I did leave the cutting gauge lines to save time and just 'cause it was a rough piece from beginning to end. Also, the tenons on the top of the seat are just a hair proud and chamfered. I would have had to plane those down to remove the marks…
 

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The crack along the pith of the board gives it character. I don't think it will crack an further.
 

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Makes the beat up folding lawn chair I use look pathetic. Your stool would be reserved for guests!
 

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Thanks Tom!
 

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A very nice stool. Joinary of the legs is unique and simple
Sharad
 
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