How to Carve a Chair Out of a Stump

Turn a tree stump into a hand-carved chair.

Log cuttings and stumps are often used as makeshift outdoor seating for trails, camps and cottages. Instead of using the stump as is, you can carve it into a chair. A stump chair is an enjoyable woodworking project and can serve as a comfortable place to sit at the end of the day. The rough shape of the chair is cut with a chain saw and the overall shape refined with a variety of chisels. This project is a chance add creativity to a useful product.

Things You'll Need

• Stump, 16-to 18-inch diameter, 36 inches tall
• Tape measure
• Lumber crayon
• Chain saw
• Gouge chisel
• Mallet
• Flat chisel

Instructions

1. Measure the top end of the stump with a tape measure. Mark the center with a lumber crayon. Draw a line across the center,for the back of the chair. Measure down 18 inches from the top of the stump along each end point for the back of the chair. Mark the measurement. Draw a line to connect the 18-inch measurement marks with the lumber along one side of the stump. This is the front line for the seat.

2. Saw down through the center of the log along the 18-inch lines to a depth of 18-inches using a chain saw. Cut across the front of the stump along the front line for the seat until you reach the vertical cut. Lift the cut piece of the stump off from the stump and set it aside. You should now have a rough looking seat with a back cut out of the stump.

3. Carve a rounded curve on the inside of the chair back, so that it follows the natural curve of the outside edge of the stump, using a gouge chisel. Tap the gouge chisel with a mallet to shave off fine shavings one at a time from the top of the chair back down to where it meets the back edge of the seat. Continue shaping the back until you are satisfied with the overall curve.

4. Tap the handle of the chisel lightly as you guide it along the edges of the chair back and seat, to round the edges over slightly. Take off small shavings with the chisel until you achieve a smooth rounded edge.

Tips & Warnings

• Leave some of the tool marks from the chisels in the wood for added visual interest. You could also carve a design on the inside back of the chair with a chip-carving knife.

• Wear eye and ear protection when woodworking to avoid potential injury.

References

• "Inhabitat"; Ax and Stump Lounge Chair Gives New Life to Upturned Tree Trunks; Diane Pham; July 2011
• "Mother Earth News"; Why Not Build a Stump Stool?; November/December 1977