How to make a simple garden stool

This project shows how to make a strong, basic, outside stool; a very useful implement to have in any garden. More often than not, a sturdy garden stool is used for many purposes other than for just sitting on because it can easily be moved around. For example, many a stool has been used as a step to help reach higher places in the garden, or even as a temporary support to hold such things as potting containers or washing baskets while hanging out the washing.

This stool is constructed using 150×50 (2×6) and 75×50 (2×3) stock and can be built in merely a couple of hours.

You will need….

• 3500mm (12ft) of 150×50 (2×6) lumber
• 1600mm (5 1/2ft) of 75×50 (2×3) lumber 4 galvanized coach/carriage bolts 110mm (4 1/2″) long
• A handful of 100mm (4″) galvanized nails

About the lumber 

• Use lumber suitable for exterior use. If the lumber is dressed (planed or seasoned), the actual thickness and width will be less than the nominal size. For example: a piece of 150×50 (2×6) stock, which is called the nominal size, may actually finish at 140×45 (1 1/2″x 5 1/2″) when it has been dressed, which is the actual size. This will not make any difference to the construction of this stool.

Step 1.

• Cut the seat boards [D]: 2 pieces of 150×50 (2×6) stock @ 1050mm (42″) long.
• Cut member [C]: I piece of 150×50 (2×6) stock @ 750mm (30″) long.
• Cut members [B]: 2 pieces of 150×50 (2×6) stock @ 275mm (11″) long. Cut back each end 10 degrees off square.
• Cut the legs [A]: 4 pieces of 75×50 (2×3) stock @ 375mm (15″) long. Cut back each end 10 degrees off square.

Step 2.

• Bolt the legs [A] to the leg braces [B] as shown in the drawing. Ensure that the top of the legs are separated by at least 50mm (2″). See plan above.

Step 3.

• Nail the two assembled leg [A] and leg brace [B] units to member [C] and then nail on the seat boards [D].

All finished!

Now wasn’t that easy?