Vintage Bar Stool

Difficulty
Intermediate
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Free plans to build vintage bar stools!

Well hello there!!!!

Are you needing barstools, but not willing to pay hundreds of dollars for each ... and you need several?

Well, we can help you out there!

For just about $20 each, Brooke built these barstools from plans we worked on together!  

Complete with a white chippy finish, all this vintage charm is handbuilt from solid wood!!!!

I hope you take a second to stop over and read Brooke's building post - she's a very inspiring lady! - and get all the details on this stool.  And OF COURSE we got you covered as always with the free step by step plans!

Dimensions
Dimensions shown above.

Preparation

Shopping List

1 – 1x2 @ 8 feet long
2 – 2x2 @ 8 feet long
1 – 1x3 @ 3 feet long
2 – 1x4 @ 8 feet long
1 ¼” PH screws
2 ½” PH screws (8)
Wood glue

Cut List

4 – 1x2 @ 8”
2 – 1x2 @ 7 ¼”
2 – 1x3 @ 15”
1 – 1x2 @ 15”
2 – 1x4 @ 15”
2 – 2x2 @ 45”
2 – 1x4 @ 16”
2 – 2x2 @ 29 ¼”
2 – 2x2 @ 15”
2 – 2x2 @ 16”
5 – 1x4 @ 18”
8 – 1x4 @ 3 ½”

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Kreg Jig
Drill
Circular Saw
Jigsaw
Power Sander
General Instructions

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!

Instructions

Step 1

Build the back as shown above.

Step 2

TIP: If you drill ¾” PHs facing UPWARD on inside of aprons, you can use those PHs later on to attach seat. Also, if you feel the stool needs it, you can add corner bracing at this step.

Step 3

Add the stretchers. A tip I learned from Patrick Hosey is to drill a PH on two different sides to create the best joint on a 2x2 :)

Step 4

Now add the seat. If you followed along and drilled the PHs in the aprons in step 2, attach with 1 1/4" PH screws from underneath.

Step 5

Step 6

Finishing Instructions
Preparation Instructions
Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth.

It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.
Project Type
Room

Comments

little stuf

Thu, 08/02/2012 - 10:13

My sister is going to LOVE these!!! Her house is decorated in vintage EVERYTHING! Her floors are from an old barn, her stove is even a vintage gas stove. I am going to build these for her Christmas gift! I cannot wait to see her face! Thanks sooooo much Ana and Brooke!

rachel0383

Thu, 08/02/2012 - 13:07

I've read in previous projects that a Countersink Drill Bit can be used in place of a Kreg Jig, but I notice in this post that it calls for PH Screws. Does that refer to Pocket Hole Screws, and if so, is a Kreg Jig required for this project? I'm still trying to get a grasp on the whole Kreg Jig thing! Thanks in advance!!

brookifer86

Thu, 08/02/2012 - 14:43

You can definitely do this with a countersink bit and regular screws. You can even find 3/8" wood plugs at Hobby Lobby, 30 for $2, which is a lot cheaper than Lowe's or Home Depot. Or if you're paining, just fill with filler and sand it smooth

kmwood13 (not verified)

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 20:48

I LOVE these stools and I really want to make them. I am totally new to building things, but I really want to learn. This might be a silly question, but does it matter what type of wood you use? Any advice would be much appreciated!!

kmwood13 (not verified)

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 20:54

I LOVE these stools and I really want to make them. I am new to building, but I really want to learn. This might be a silly question, but what type of wood did you use? Any advice would be much appreciated!!

angeleyes

Wed, 10/10/2012 - 17:24

Did you end up bracing these as noted in step 2 or not? if so what do i use a 2x2 in each corner?

mary b (not verified)

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 20:42

So when I started measuring for my cuts, I ran out of 2X2's and have to either go back to lowes for the last 2 16" ers or attempt to rip a set from a 2X4 and my skil saw :( yikes. Unless I goofed and should have marked them out differently. I lined them up and marked them together with my square. Also I'm now marking for my PH's and I can't figure out where the 1X2 that is 15" is supposed to go.

Joey Moore (not verified)

Wed, 01/09/2013 - 04:51

Just wanted to comment, built one of these last night. Love the plan, but the buy list does not call for enough 2x2's. I ran out making the last two runners last night. No big deal, but wanted to let you know in case anyone else was getting ready to build. (P.S. We just saw these exact chairs at a local furniture dealer in FL for $130 a piece. I spent approx. $25 for mine).

Jen McMillan (not verified)

Mon, 01/14/2013 - 09:10

I have decided to make my own dining table and distress it because I need something that holds up to 2 five year olds. I have never made anything like this before and I wanted to make the pub table that seats 8. Before I make these chairs also (with my father in laws help, of course), do these chairs work with that table? Also, do you have plans for benches for that table as well? I would like to add one bench for the kids. It wouldbe prefect when the family comes around.

Soozan (not verified)

Wed, 01/16/2013 - 11:31

I thought maybe you could use these with the Pub Table Plans posted, however, I think they might be too tall. Can someone comment on this if they can? Thanks!

jere7782

Tue, 04/30/2013 - 16:37

I built two of these. They are nice peices. I went to sell them and someone went to sit on the chair and the front support post broke. I tried killerb, kreg jig pocket holes on alternate sides for the 2x2.. very strong joint but I could not believe me eyes when she broke it. The rest of the seat is fine. But I want to get this resolved asap. Thank you

Oma2three

Sun, 06/30/2013 - 09:09

I am assuming that the list of materials is for making one. Is this correct?

Love your site!

Oma2three

Sun, 06/30/2013 - 09:09

I am assuming that the list of materials is for making one. Is this correct?

Love your site!

Kris60

Fri, 07/05/2013 - 17:55

I love love love these stools. My question is, are you sure your shopping list on the 2x2's is correct? We could not get everything out of the 2ea 8 footers. We had to buy an extra 3 ft piece. But now we're pretty awesome at using a kreg jig after a couple booboo's. I'm going to try to upload our pictures. Not done yet though! Thank you very much.

blaidd_drwg

Fri, 08/16/2013 - 06:58

The counter in my apartment is 48" high and I haven't been able to find tall enough stools anywhere, so I started looking online for info on making my own. These plans look simple enough that I could probably make two stools with little error.

I do have some questions, can these plans be adjusted to account for a higher seat? I'm thinking about putting the seat between 35"-39". What type of wood do you recommend?

Thanks!

pondrider

Sat, 04/04/2015 - 14:42

Ph = pocket hole. One great advantage of ph over just counter sinking is guiding the screw in at a good angle. The angle is another element which makes ph great. Just learn the ph. I started with and am still useing the basic two hole clap on version of the kreg jig. I used an Irwin squeeze clamp for a long time. You do need to clamp it on.