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A 2x2 stool base with a threaded steel rod running up through the seat — spin the seat to change the height, no gas cylinder required.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top stretchers Both ends cut at 10° off square, ends NOT parallel, longest point to longest point. | 2 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 12 1/2" | 2x2 | ☐ |
| Top mounting plate Corners clipped at 45°. | 1 | 3/4" × 8 1/2" × 8 1/2" | 3/4" plywood scrap | ☐ |
| Legs Both ends cut at 10° off square, long point to short point, ends ARE parallel. | 4 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 23 1/2" | 2x2 | ☐ |
| Footrest cross supports Both ends cut at 45°, ends NOT parallel, longest point to longest point. Notched half-lap where the pairs cross. | 4 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 9 5/8" | 2x2 | ☐ |
| Seat 12" diameter round. | 1 | 1 1/2" × 12" × 12" | Laminated round blank | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| 2x2 board, 8 ft (Pine) | 2 each | ☐ |
| 3/4" plywood scrap, for top mounting plate | 1 each | ☐ |
| 12" round seat blank, 1-1/2" thick Laminate from 1x12 and plywood scraps glued face to face, or buy a pre-cut round blank. | 1 each | ☐ |
| 5/8" all-thread rod, 18" | 1 each | ☐ |
| 5/8" flange or top plate Can be improvised from scrap steel and welded nuts if you have access to a welder. | 1 each | ☐ |
| 5/8" nuts and washers | 4 each | ☐ |
| Pocket-hole screws, 2-1/2" | 20 each | ☐ |
| Wood glue | 2 oz | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Circular Saw. Materials: 3/4" plywood scrap, for top mounting plate
Cut the plywood scrap to an 8-1/2" x 8-1/2" square, then clip all four corners off at 45°. This plate is what the seat's flange mounts to.
Tools: Circular Saw. Materials: 2x2 board, 8 ft, Wood glue
Set a circular saw blade to a 3/4" depth and notch two of the footrest pieces along their long face, and the other two along their short face, so each notch is half the material's thickness. Glue — don't screw or nail — the pairs together where the notches interlock; a fastener here would split the thin remaining wood.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Pocket Hole Jig. Materials: 2x2 board, 8 ft, Pocket-hole screws, 2-1/2"
Assemble the legs, top stretchers, and mounting plate into the stool base using 1-1/2" pocket holes and 2-1/2" pocket hole screws, or countersunk 2-1/2" wood screws if you'd rather not drill pocket holes.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pocket-hole screws, 2-1/2", Wood glue
Attach the glued footrest cross-support assembly to the outside of the legs with a single countersunk 2-1/2" screw per joint plus glue — one screw is enough here since the half-lap joint is already doing the structural work.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 12" round seat blank, 1-1/2" thick, 5/8" all-thread rod, 18", 5/8" flange or top plate, 5/8" nuts and washers
Mount the base flange to the top mounting plate on the stool base, and the matching flange or top plate to the underside of the round seat. Thread the all-thread rod into the base flange, secured with a nut and washer, then thread the seat onto the rod. Add a second nut and washer above the seat's flange to act as a stop and lock the height once you've dialed it in.