We call this our “enhanced table height stool” because we’ve added just a few minor details (compared to our simple table height stool) to make it look a little more like a finished piece. Even with it’s enhanced design this table height stool is still made from basic 2×4 and 2×8 boards. Though you will need a few extra tools in order to make the concave seat.
Materials needed
- 1 – 2×4 @ 8′
- 1 – 2×8 @ 3′
Tools required
- Table saw
- Band saw with at least 7″ sawing capacity
- Pocket hole jig
- Sander and sand paper
- Tape Measure
- Bar clamps
- Pocket hole right angle clamp (optional, but useful)
- Pocket hole plugs
- Wood glue
- Wood filler
Step 1: Make your legs
The first step in this table height stool is to cut your legs. These legs are going to have angles on two planes, so the cuts will be a little more complex but once you get your saw set up you should breeze through them. We are going to be making four of them, and we want them all to be exactly the same so that the stool sits level. So it’s best if you set up a stop block on your table saw to assist in keeping them exact. If you plan on making more than one stool, you definitely will want to set up a jig and cut all of your legs at the same time.
Start by ripping 1/4″ off of each short side so that the legs wind up at 1 1/2″ x 3″ (instead of 1 1/2″ x 3 1/2″). This will also give us nice square corners to attach the leg stretchers.
The legs are going to be angled in from the short sides at a 7.5° angle, and are going to be angled in from the long sides at 3.75°. To make this compound cut, first set your table saw blade at 82.5° degrees. I like to use a magnetic digital angle finder to help set my saw blade accurately. I highly recommend investing in one if you don’t already have one. Now, set your miter fence to 86.25°.
Finally set your fence or stop block at 16 41/64″ from your blade. Don’t worry if you’re not exactly on this mark, being short or long is fine as it just means your stool will sit higher or lower than 18″. You just need to make certain all four legs are the same.
Once you have the legs cut to size, drill three pocket hole screws in the inside top end of each leg for attaching the seat later.
Step 2: Add the leg assembly stretchers
Next come the leg assembly stretchers. You’ll need two of these per stool. You can use a standard 2×2 here, but I would just use some scrap 8″ pieces of 2×4 since you should have some left over from the legs. Leave your blade set to the 82.5° angle when you rip the 2×4 material down to size so the outside and inside edges match the angles of the legs. Then add the 86.25° miter on each end so the stretchers match the inward angle of the legs.
Now drill two pocket hole screws on the outside edge of the bottom side of each stretcher. Use these holes to attach one stretcher flush to the tops of both legs. Attach the second stretcher 3″ up from the bottom of the legs. Having a right angle pocket hole clamp really comes in handy for holding your pieces tightly in place while you screw things together. Also make certain to use wood glue on the ends to create a permanent bond.
Step 3: Add the middle stretcher
The middle stretcher for this table height stool is another piece of 2×4 stock ripped down to 1 1/2″ in width. You are then going to need to cut 82.5 angles on each end, making certain the bottom side (the longer side) winds up being 14 3/16″.
After cutting the piece to length, again use two pocket hole screws and wood glue on each end to attach this stretcher to the centers of the lower stretchers of each leg assembly.
Step 4: Add the seat
The seat of this enhanced table height bench is going to have a 1/2″ concave curve to it. This may seem difficult, but if you have a bandsaw with at least an 7″ sawing capacity you can create this curve on your 2x8s. NOTE: If your bandsaw only has a 6″ sawing capacity, you can use three 2x6s instead of two 2x8s to create your seat.
Start by ripping 1/4″ off of each side of your 2x8s to bring the overall width down the 7″. Now draw an arc from two corners with a 1/2″ depth in the middle. Follow this arc with your bandsaw, then clean up the arcs with your sander to make them nice and smooth.
Once you have your seat pieces cut, put wood glue on the top of each leg assembly, and on the long edge of the 2×8 boards where they are going to be joined. Use clamps to hold the two 2×8 boards together, and then use pocket hole screws to secure both boards down to the leg assemblies.
Step 5: Sand and finish
Now, go back and fill all of your pocket holes with plugs to hide them. Sand the entire piece first with 120 grit, then 180 grit sandpaper. Finish it off with stain or paint of your choice and you now have a new table height stool.
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