Custom Elegant Stool

Class Preview

Simplify curves and angles to create a custom stool with unmatched craftsmanship.

Introduction & Milling the Boards

Meet your instructor, lifelong woodworker and professional teacher Alan Turner, as he previews the curved legs, seat and stretchers you’ll make for this beautiful stool. Then get started as Alan walks you through milling the lumber for all of the parts of your stool.

Creating the Seat & Legs

Discover how angling the legs will affect your construction at nearly every step. Alan shows you how to use a jig to create angled leg holes in the seat before using a lathe to create the leg tenons. Then, see how to use a handsaw and chisel to angle the leg shoulders for a flush fit to the seat.

Angled Mortise & Tenon Joinery

Alan offers professional tips for measuring and marking the blind, angled leg mortises used to attach the leg stretchers. Learn how to build an angled wedge jig and how to properly set up your chisel mortiser for perfect cuts every time. Then, use a dado blade on your table saw and a bandsaw to make the stretcher tenons.

Curving & Installing the Legs

Create this stool’s signature curves as you learn how to mark and cut the stool legs. Alan takes you through the pattern jig he uses to make the curves and before demonstrating how to use a bandsaw and router to create the final shape. Then, create shallow leg mortises on the stool seat so that the legs will remain stable, even if the wood swells with the seasons.

Shaping the Concave Curve on the Seat

Learn how to create a jig that will allow you to make the seat’s concave shape with a hand-held router. Then, pick up Alan’s tips for minimizing tearout and router burn when working with such a large piece of lumber. Finally, Alan takes you through the process of rounding over the seat that appears to be floating over its legs.

Finishing the Joinery & Dry Fitting

Your stool is nearly finished! Mark and rough cut the leg tenons and create the wedge opening. Then, using a bandsaw, cut the curve in your stretches before cutting extremely thin, angled wedges out of ebony; Alan demonstrates using his simple, handy jig. Finally, dry-fit your stool as you make any final adjustments in preparation for gluing up.

Final Gluing, Sanding & Leveling

Knock down any remaining sharp corners on the seat with a rasp before you glue up your stool. Alan takes you step by step through this critical process, sharing best practices for applying glue — and cleaning it up. Then, cut and glue up the cross stretchers, trim down the leg tenons, and level and chamfer the legs for an elegant, stable stool.