Project by klinkman | posted 02-15-2021 06:19 PM | 1233 views | 7 times favorited | 10 comments | ![]() |
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This is the first non-perpendicular joinery project I attempted. It’s simple with only 9 major components, but incredibly robust. I like the idea the legs, splayed on both X and Y axis, create a very stable base — but I guess that’s the whole point of a stool: it’s generally smaller and lighter than a chair but carries the same load.
The James Krenov inspired joinery is really why I liked this project. The rung tenons are all 1/2” x 1” but hand formed to create an oval through tenon, then wedged with contrasting maple. Design credit goes to Gary Rogowski and the project originally published in FWW March 1988.
I used walnut as I recently purchased some from an estate sale. The material wasn’t super high quality, so I had to fill some voids with resin. Overall, I like the character though.
There were two major challenges.
1. getting all the setups for the angles. Lots of squares, protractors and trial and error to get it all right.
2. shaping the seat. Starting with 2×6” material, I located and fit offset dowels first, then separated the pieces and cut most of the material out on the bandsaw, then joined it back together for sanding.
I did build a prototype out of pine where I quickly broke one of the tenons trying to fit the seat.
What I learned from that was that just because the legs are splayed 8 degrees on each axis is that you can’t just tip the table saw blade and move the miter gauge to 8 degrees and cut. No, the compound angle requires a bit of finesse. I used trial and error adjustment (on the table saw blade angle) to get the cut right. The tops and bottoms of the legs need to be parallel, ultimately a parallelogram, but on a splayed angle. I was nicely rewarded on the final project that both the seat and the legs sat flush in the end, very very minor adjustment to one leg to have all four sit flat on the floor.
Finish is Monocote pure, man that stuff is gold. I mixed up maybe a tablespoon’s worth to cover the whole project and provide a very nice durable finish.
thanks for looking.
-- Klinkman, hand tool enthusiast
10 comments so far
18wheelznwood
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146 posts in 486 days
#1 posted 02-15-2021 06:51 PM
Great job! As a limited skilled woodworker, I too have stuck mostly to single angled pieces. I’m going to start venturing into projects such as yours. Love the contrasting wedges in the through tenons.
pottz
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25770 posts in 2441 days
#2 posted 02-15-2021 08:17 PM
nice looking stool and a great job on the joinery.
-- working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.
grovemadman
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963 posts in 5229 days
#3 posted 02-15-2021 11:07 PM
I like it! Hahaha I just built one very similar in joinery. The angled legs in two different directions was the hardest part for me. So glad you posted this project. Excellent work!! And if Pottz gives it props then you know it’s good… lol
-- "It is the job of the woodworker to hide his mistakes and keep a tight set of lips about them!"--Chuck
mtnwild
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#4 posted 02-16-2021 01:04 AM
Very cool. Love all the curves. Beautiful piece, super…
-- mtnwild (Jack), It's not what you see, it's how you see it.
AJ1104
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1547 posts in 3116 days
#5 posted 02-16-2021 01:48 AM
Classy build. This is a great job on your joinery and overall style. Congrats.
-- AJ
swirt
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#6 posted 02-16-2021 02:14 AM
Very nice. I like the proportions and th joinery. Thanks for all the build photos.
-- Galootish log blog, http://www.timberframe-tools.com
klinkman
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103 posts in 1332 days
#7 posted 02-16-2021 02:49 AM
Thanks for everyone’s comments, I appreciate it!
Grovemadman – feeling the brotherhood.
-- Klinkman, hand tool enthusiast
oldrivers
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3108 posts in 3023 days
#8 posted 02-16-2021 01:13 PM
Mighty fine Stool, looks great.
-- Soli Deo gloria!
michelletwo
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2795 posts in 4472 days
#9 posted 02-20-2021 12:34 AM
now that is a stool that begs one to sit on it. Very nicely done.
woodshaver Tony C
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#10 posted 02-22-2022 04:19 AM
Great looking stool…nice joinery and love your “deep” saddle seat. I made a few stools with a saddle seat but I made a jig to get that done! See it here.”..... and also here
Would love to find a plan for your stool!
-- St Augustine FL, Experience is the sum of our mistakes!
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