Kitchen Island...the Sequal (Stools)

[Knottscott]

A few weeks ago I added an extended maple counter to our island, with the intent of "buying" four stools to accommodate some of the many fannies that live in this house. (thread)

As is often the case, things didn't go as planned. We suffered from a combination of sticker shock, disappointment, and frustration in the lack of affordable quality stools available, so I ended up building them from the scraps of the original project....which was all made from salvaged hard maple in the first place. Total cost for the island and four stools was screws, glue, and poly....maybe $10 (plus gas burned while looking for store bought junk).

Nothing very fancy, but they've added a new dimension to our kitchen. They're ~ 26" high, and are joined mostly with pocket screws and glue. Boy do I hate sanding this stuff....I never really finish sanding hard maple...I just run out of patience!

[footprintsinconc]

they look great! how did you attach the legs to the flat top? the legs are on an angle, so i though you would have doweled in for them?

[Knottscott]

they look great! how did you attach the legs to the flat top? the legs are on an angle, so i thought you would have doweled in for them?

The legs only angle in one direction...wasn't up to figuring compound angles in the August heat! I made the legs in 8 pairs and attached the long apron piece with glue and screws, then cut the 5 degree angle across the top of that hole assembly. Then I added the shorter apron piece in between the leg pairs using glue and pocket screws again. The aprons attach to the seat with glue and screws. It's not an overly well thought out design, but it did the trick....they seem sturdy enough, but time will tell!

[cgallery]

I think they look spectacular. Kinda scary that you just whipped those up, you know.

[ragswl4]

The stools look great. What did you use for the finish?

[Knottscott]

The stools look great. What did you use for the finish?

Thanks... just a few coats of satin poly....

I think they look spectacular. Kinda scary that you just whipped those up, you know.

Thanks to you too...didn't feel like I "just whipped them up" in the middle of them though! I'd suspect chairs are a PITA...pardon the pun.

[mater]

Those look very good. Best use of scrap I have seen lately.

[John Hunter]

Very nice.

[Pappy]

Great looking stools and you can't beat the cost!

[lrogers]

They look pretty fancy to me! Nice job. I know what you mean about shopping for stools.

[bthere]

I like those. Simple, clean lines and, of course, they match your counter top.

Is that a bead detail at the top of the aprons or are my eyes playing tricks?

[Ken Massingale]

Nice work Scott, as usual.

[Knottscott]

I like those. Simple, clean lines and, of course, they match your counter top.

Is that a bead detail at the top of the aprons or are my eyes playing tricks?

Nothing wrong with your eyes! That's a bead just below the seat....they were looking a kind of plain and needed a little "something".


Thanks again to everyone.