Making A Roycroft Tabouret Table Design Into A Stool

James McIntyre · Oct 17, 2021

I need two new stools for our Kitchen counter and decided on this ingenious Roycroft Tabouret table design by Elbert Hubbard Circa 1906. This piece features splayed legs with Mackmurdo feet and Roycroft orb carved into two apposing top rails made from QSWO.

I came up with this to scale design. It's 24" high with 5 degree splay and rake. And will have a saddle seat. I added two extra rails for a foot rest.

It will have tusk tenons and tappers legs.

I found the Ana White plan for slayed and raked legs on line. By tilting the miter saw 5 degrees and setting the front gauge at 5 degrees I cut one end of the leg then I slid it through without turning or rotating it I cut the other end and stand them up and mark the inner part with a black dot like in the drawing above, to keep the proper orientation.

I made this template of the leg to shap it on the router table using a template bit after I rough cut them on the band saw.

I made four blanks for the legs by gluing scrap pine together I found in my neighbors trash to practice on.

The first one I cut on the band saw came out like this because of the 5* angle on the bottom of the leg.

So I made this jig for the band saw and set it at 5 degrees to compensate for the bevel using oval head bolts that are screwed into the treaded holes to zero in on the angle.

It workers well but when I turned I to cut the other side of the leg I noticed the jig wasn't long enough and the leg hung over the end and the tapper of the leg will effect the shape of the Mackmurdo feet.

Now I'll either have to rework the jig to have it sit back further from the blade or find another longer pice in someone's trash like I found this one.

When Elbert Hubbard made this table in 1906 I'm sure he didn't have a CNC machine and attempting to make one makes me appreciate the skills it took back then.

I looked every where for plans and help in making this table/stool with no luck. It maybe way past my skill level but I'll keep trying and maybe learn new skills along the way.

Stickley still makes them and I don't think they would share their plans and techniques.

Any comments and suggestion will be greatly appreciated.

Best Regards,
James Mc

EricFai · Oct 17, 2021

Seems like one cut would be at the 5 angle and the other would be at 0 you could try a short drop and see if it works out.

But that is a nice looking stool.

JimYoung · Oct 17, 2021

Interesting project.

From the picture, it looks to me like the bottom of the legs are cut perpendicular to the legs, and not referenced to the ground. The bottom of the legs are rounded and don't sit flat on the ground. I could be wrong, bit the sheen on the legs appear to be at an angle to the ground. This would make them very easy to make.

My $0.02

James McIntyre · Oct 17, 2021

Thanks for the feed back Eric and Jim.

You both seemed to come up with the same idea so there maybe something to it.

What your saying, don't make the 5 degree splay and rake on the bottom of the leg and carve it round? Or roundish?

Jim Jakosh · Oct 17, 2021

I think a ball shape on the bottom of the legs would be the best to make and use! When I see a design I like, I make any modification I like to make it suit me. i even modify new tools to make them easier to use….hang the warranty!

Cheers, Jim

EricFai · Oct 17, 2021

Something like that, as Jim said, the bottoms look a little rounded. And if you take the angle out if the picture the too line should be parallel to the floor.

Edit. I stand corrected, taking another look at the feet. And I see what Jim is saying.

JimYoung · Oct 17, 2021

What your saying, don't make the 5 degree splay and rake on the bottom of the leg and carve it round? Or roundish?

Exactly. Looking at the prototype photo, the lines on the bottoms of the legs don't line up from leg to leg, and are not parallel to the ground.

James McIntyre · Oct 17, 2021

I think a ball shape on the bottom of the legs would be the best to make and use! When I see a design I like, I make any modification I like to make it suit me. i even modify new tools to make them easier to use….hang the warranty!

Cheers, Jim

- Jim Jakosh

Thanks Jim. Your right modifications are the spice of life!

James McIntyre · Oct 17, 2021

What your saying, don't make the 5 degree splay and rake on the bottom of the leg and carve it round? Or roundish?

Exactly. Looking at the prototype photo, the lines on the bottoms of the legs don t line up from leg to leg, and are not parallel to the ground.

- JimYoung

I think the legs are tapered. I printed out a 8"x-10" photo and put a square on it and think I saw a 5 degree taper. Which I incorporated into my drawing.
What do you think. Is it tapered from bottom to top?

mafe · Nov 12, 2021

Really enjoy to follow your ways of working and my vintage heart melted, when the blog started by a drawing table with pen and paper.
Brilliant jig for the bandsaw.
Thanks for the visit at your shop.
Best thoughts,
Mads

splintergroup · Nov 12, 2021

Ambitious James!

A lot of angular detail to replicate but it seems you are well on your way.
Perfect for your house, eager to see your work!

James McIntyre · Nov 13, 2021

Thanks Mads and Splinter.

EricFai · Nov 13, 2021

Nicely done James, beautiful piece.

James McIntyre · Nov 16, 2021

Nicely done James, beautiful piece.

- Eric

Thanks Eric

06132485 · Nov 17, 2021

James, I'm betting on you getting it done, and very nicely too boot. Looks like a beautiful chair design.

James McIntyre · Nov 18, 2021

James, I m betting on you getting it done, and very nicely too boot. Looks like a beautiful chair design.

- therealSteveN

Thanks Steven

Making A Roycroft Tabouret Table Design Into A Stool

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