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How to make a wooden stool with a square seat

To make a wooden stool with a square seat, you’ll need to follow a series of steps involving cutting, sanding, and assembling the wood. Here’s a detailed guide:

Materials Needed:

  • Wood: Choose a strong wood like oak, maple, or pine.
  • Wood screws or nails
  • Wood glue
  • Sandpaper (fine-grit for smoothing edges)
  • Wood finish (stain, paint, or clear finish)
  • Measuring tape or ruler
  • Saw (table saw or hand saw)
  • Drill with drill bits
  • Clamps
  • Square

Tools Needed:

  • Saw
  • Drill
  • Clamps
  • Screwdriver or drill bit for screws
  • Wood glue
  • Sandpaper
  • Measuring tape
  • Square

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Cut the Pieces

  1. Seat: Cut the seat of the stool into a square. The size depends on your preference, but a common size is 12 inches x 12 inches for the seat.

  2. Legs: Cut four legs. A typical height for a stool is 18-24 inches. You can adjust the length depending on your desired height. Standard leg dimensions are 1.5-2 inches in thickness.

  3. Cross Supports (optional): To add more stability, you can cut two pieces to serve as cross supports between the legs. These should be slightly shorter than the width of the stool’s seat to fit between the legs.

Step 2: Sand All Pieces

Before assembling the stool, use sandpaper to smooth out all the edges and surfaces. This helps prevent splinters and gives the stool a more polished finish.

Step 3: Attach the Legs to the Seat

  1. Drill Pilot Holes: Start by marking where you want the legs to attach to the seat, typically about 1-2 inches from each corner. Drill pilot holes into both the seat and the top of each leg to prevent the wood from splitting when you insert the screws.

  2. Glue and Screw the Legs: Apply wood glue to the top of each leg and place them in position at the marked spots. Then, screw the legs into the seat using screws or nails. For extra security, ensure you are drilling at a 90-degree angle using a square.

  3. Clamp the Pieces: If you’re using wood glue, clamp the pieces together until the glue has dried (check the manufacturer’s instructions for drying times).

Step 4: Add Cross Supports (Optional)

For additional stability, you can add cross supports between the legs. These should be the length between two opposite legs, typically about 10 inches or so, depending on the size of the seat.

  1. Measure and Cut Cross Supports: Measure the distance between two opposite legs and cut two pieces of wood to that length.

  2. Attach Cross Supports: Glue and screw the cross supports in place, ensuring they are level and square to the legs.

Step 5: Final Sanding and Finishing

Once the stool is assembled, do a final sanding of the entire piece to ensure all edges are smooth and even.

Apply a finish of your choice to protect the wood and give the stool an attractive appearance. You can use a wood stain for a darker color or simply apply a clear wood finish for a natural look.

Step 6: Enjoy Your Stool

Once the finish is dry, your square-seat wooden stool is ready for use. It’s now a sturdy, handmade piece that can serve as seating, a footrest, or even a small table depending on its design.


For anyone interested in learning more about woodworking projects like this, I highly recommend checking out Ted’s Woodworking Course. It’s packed with detailed plans and tips for woodworking, which will help you expand your skills and create amazing projects. You can find it here.

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