Counter-Height Bar Stool

Join the two 24" front legs with one 14-1/2" 1x3 and a 14-1/2" 2x2, placing the bottom edge of the 2x2 rail 4-1/2" up from the bottom of the legs. Drill the pocket holes for the rails and fasten with glue and screws.

Join the two 45" back legs with four 14-1/2" 1x3s and a 14-1/2" 2x2, placing the 2x2 rail 12" up from the bottom and spacing the 1x3 back rails 2" apart. This ladder forms the backrest.

Connect the front and back frames with a 15-1/2" 1x3 and a 15-1/2" 2x2 on each side. Keep the top rails consistent on all four sides — all flush to the outside edge or all set in — so the seat sits flat.

Add the back 1x3 rail with its top flush with the two side rails and flush to the front of the leg. Drill upward-facing pocket holes on the inside and fix the 14-1/2" 1x2 seat trim to it, ready to grab the seat.

Drill upward pocket holes on the inside of the frame. Place the five 1x4 seat slats good-side-down and set the upturned stool frame on them, centered with an even gap all around, then fasten from underneath. Sand the joints well and remove glue residue, then stain or paint.