Camp Stool

 

People are getting out more during these times enjoying hiking, camping, and boating. You might want to take along this nifty folding camp stool which can also be used as a side table. The overall dimensions are: 17" x 16" x 18 1/2" tall. Folded: 16" wide x 3" deep x 22" tall and weighs 8 1/2 pounds. If you want to build this stool this tutorial is for you. If you want to buy it, go here. 

Here are the different parts. This stool is made of cypress and plywood, but any wood is fine.

Here is the folded stool, nice and compact.

You will need 4 seat support pieces and 4 leg pieces. One end of each is rounded and the other end is cut as shown. Measure 1/2", cut 45 degree angle as shown.

4 pieces 14 3/4" x 1 3/4" x 3/4",

4 pieces 22" x 1 3/4" x 3/4" with 2 holes - 11" between hole centers.

You will need 2 - 1/2" plywood seat pieces 8 3/8" x 15 3/4" and 2 bottom supports 3 3/4" x 15 3/4" x 3/4". Three sides of each plywood piece are rounded over with a 1/4" router bit with one long straight edge. The bottom supports are rounded over on all 4 sides.

Use a circle template to draw a round end on the seat supports and legs. Cut the round end with a band saw, jig saw or scroll saw. Mark the center of the circle for a 3/4" hole which is drilled on the drill press with forstner, paddle or regular bit. You may need to enlarge the hole and/or sand the dowel so they will fit together.

You will need an 18" wooden dowel 3/4" thick. This will be cut into 4 pieces 1 1/2" long and 1 piece 11 3/4" long. You will need 16 screws 1 1/4" long.

Sand all pieces once they are cut.

After cutting the dowel into the pieces and sanding, lay the seat supports and legs flat and glue the dowels as shown. The arrows show where the dowel should be glued into the holes. Make sure the ends of the pieces are turned the correct way as shown. Use a pipe cleaner to apply glue inside hole and push in dowel. Wipe excess with wet paper towel. Let dry overnight.

Screw one plywood seat onto inside seat support as shown. The overhang on end of support is 7/8" and the overhang on the sides is 7/16". The straight edge of the plywood should face right or toward the long dowel as shown.

Screw the bottom support to the inside leg 1 3/4" from end with 1 1/4" overhang on sides as shown.

Turn the stool over and screw on the other plywood seat to the outside seat support with the same overhang as above. The plywood straight edge should face left or toward the long dowel.

Screw the bottom support to the outside leg 1 3/4" from end and 1 1//4" overhang on sides.

You should now be able to stand the stool up. Grasp the bottom edges of the seats and pull out, lean the stool over a little and push the seats together and you have a stool! Sit down and take a break.

Don't get too comfortable, there's more. I wanted to put a design on the top of the seat and decided on a star. I had a 10" star template and traced around it.

I taped around the edge of the star and painted it black.

That will work! A clear sealer can be applied or any paint color.

I'm really happy with my camp stool and I hope you will be too after you make yours. Good luck!

My husband John demonstrates the opening and folding of the Camp Stool.