How to Make Wooden Chair Step Stools

Wooden chair step stools are the most common type of step stools. They should be made with a wood that is easy for carving and sawing. An ideal step stool should have a circumference of about 12 to 24 inches. The legs should be about one foot tall.

Things You'll Need

• 3 pieces of wood for stool legs, circular or squared
• 3 3-inch-thick wood planks
• Drill
• Wood glue
• Square or circular seat, around 2 inches thick
• Chisel
• 3 medium-sized screws, 2 inches long
• Varnish or stain (optional)

Instructions

1. Decide if you want the seat to be circular or square. Circular is the most common. Next, decide what type of wood to use. The most common materials for wooden stools are oak and beech. The seat part you purchased should be about 12 to 24 inches across, and a couple of inches thick.

2. Drill holes into three different edges of the underside of the step stool's seat. Space them apart evenly, so each hole is an even length from each other. These will be the holes where the stool legs insert into.

3. Take the chisel and turn it in the holes slightly to make them big enough to insert a screw head. Then insert a medium-sized screw into each of the three holes on the underside of the step stool. The sharp point of the screw should be poking out so that you can secure the step stool legs to each one.

4. Cut the wood planks to the size of the step stool if they were not pre-measured. Use the saw to reduce them each to about one foot tall. Use the drill to create a hole about half an inch deep into the middle of the top of each step stool leg. This will be inserted onto the screw that is already emerging from the step stool.

5. Squirt a couple of drops of wood glue inside the holes around the screw heads. Carefully insert the emerged screw into the stool leg. Screw them in slowly until you feel resistance in the tightness of the fit between the bar stool's seat and the legs. Wipe away the excess glue if necessary.

6. Stand the wooden step stool up onto the three legs and let dry. Make sure the stool stands sturdy after being dry, and tentatively step on it to make sure it will stay intact. If adjustments are needed, you can add an additional step stool leg the center of the stool underneath, in between the other three for added support.

Tips & Warnings

• Use wood varnish or stain if desired

• Be careful when working with power tools and strong glue.