Build: Outdoor Bar Stools

1Build the seat frame

Tools

Drill / Driver
Speed Square

Materials

1x2 board, 8 ft
Exterior screws, 2" and 1-1/4"
Waterproof wood glue

Build the seat frame from the side and end aprons and the two supports with glue and 2" screws. Make sure it's square — the slats and breadboard ends all reference off it.

2Attach the breadboard ends

Tools

Drill / Driver

Materials

1x3 board, 8 ft
Exterior screws, 2" and 1-1/4"
Waterproof wood glue

Attach the 1x3 breadboard ends with 1-1/4" screws and glue. Set a seat slat between them as a spacer to line them up without measuring.

3Add the seat slats

Tools

Drill / Driver

Materials

1x3 board, 8 ft
Exterior screws, 2" and 1-1/4"
Waterproof wood glue

Screw the five seat slats to the supports with glue and 1-1/4" screws, spaced evenly so rain drains through.

4Attach the legs

Tools

Drill / Driver

Materials

1x3 board, 8 ft
Exterior screws, 2" and 1-1/4"
Waterproof wood glue

Attach the four legs to the seat aprons with 1-1/4" screws and glue. Check the stool sits level and doesn't rock.

5Add bottom supports and finish

Tools

Drill / Driver
Random Orbit Sander

Materials

1x2 board, 8 ft
Exterior screws, 2" and 1-1/4"
Waterproof wood glue
Exterior finish

Attach the longer bottom supports to both the shorter supports and the legs with 1-1/4" screws and glue, tying the legs together low. Give the stool at least a base finish coat, touch up screw holes with paintable silicone or filler, sand lightly, and add a topcoat.