2/5

Josh & Sarah’s Modern Stool

Budget: $$, D.I.Y. Project, Home Decor, Office, Weekend Project, Wood working
By Josh Rhodes

Subtletakeover stoolHi there! I'm Sarah from Arrow & Apple. Although I'm a photographer, I mostly work at home in front of my computer, and I get really tired of sitting all of the time. I asked my clever husband Josh of Subtle Takeover if he could build me a standing height desk, as well as a tall stool in case I do need to sit. Today Josh is going to share his tutorial for building the stool and the optional workspace! I really love my new workspace and I know you will too!Modern stool diy from subtletakeoverSupplies:
4' x 8' (3/4" thick) Sheet of hard wood plywood or similar
wood screws aprox. 1 3/8" long
wood glue
drill
drill bit slightly narrower than screws for pre-drilling
miter saw
jig saw
table saw (optional)
measuring tape
straight edge (T-square would be awesome)
3 shelf brackets

Tip: Measure and mark a line (with a pencil) down the center of all the boards so you have a  reference for when you pre-drill and screw in the screws. Subtletakeover diyStep 1. If you buy you wood at a place like Home Depot, they can rip pieces that you need, so you don't have to deal with that at home! Have them rip the plywood vertically into 3 pieces. the first being 13" by 96" (for your stool) and the other 24" by 96" (for the work surface), leaving you with a piece the is about 11" by 96" (scrap, save for other projects!).
Step 2. Take the 13" by 96" piece and cut it into 3 pieces:
Piece A (will be the seat): 12" by 13"
Piece B (will be the back leg): 30" by 13"
Piece C (will be the front leg): 30.5 " by 13" (each end at a 15˚ angle for the angled front part of the stool.)

Step 3A. Mark (as shown) on Piece C Drill holesStep 3B. Drill out a couple of holes.
Step 3C. Cut out with jig sawWoodworkingTIP: When pre-drilling and screwing, make sure you pre-drill and screw in the outermost screws first, and then you can pre-drill and screw in the middle screws. This will help you to make sure everything is attached straight.

Step 4. Glue pieces A & B together (the wood should be aprox. 3/4" thick, half of the is 3/8", so measure and mark a line about a 3/8" from edge so that when you screw in, you're hitting the middle of bottom piece). Pre-drill holes every 2" or so, and screw in.
Step 5. Glue pieces A & C together, then pre drill holes every 2" or so, and screw in.
Make something today!Step 6. Measure and cut for Piece D. I included my measurements, but I would re-measure just to make sure it's a nice tight fit.  Apply glue to three sides.
Step 7. Pre-drill and screw three screws through Piece B
Step 8. Pre-drill and screw in three screws through Piece C Subtletakeover teaches how to make a stool

Step 9. Pre-drill and screw in 5 pieces through Piece A Subtletakeover shows how t o wood work

Step 10. An easy way to find out the dimensions for Piece E is hold it against the upright still and mark with pencil (as shown) you may need to mark both sides as Piece B may not be at a 90˚ angle. Cut.  10Step 11. Pre-drill and screw in through Piece B every 2" or so. 11Step 12. Pre-drill and screw in through Piece C every 2" or so.  12

Step 13. Let glue dry, sand all edges and surfaces, then apply polyurethane (optional)
Optional Step. To create a standing height workspace, take the 2' foot piece (sanded and polyurethaned) along with your brackets and install (just like a shelf) a standing height work surface! We installed ours at 42" high, but make sure the height is comfortable for you.
Diy modern stoolThanks so much Sarah and Josh! We love your beautiful stool.

48 Comments

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.