Building a Swivel Piano Stool

Seat

• A circular seat is best. Choose a wood that matches the wood that you'll make the the base from. Cut a circular pattern from a piece of solid wood about 2 inches thick. Use a power sander to smooth the surfaces, rounding off the edges.

  Mount a plate to the bottom side (choose the side that has a less attractive grain). The plate is a 3-inch by 3-inch piece of steel that has holes to screw it into the bottom of the seat. In the center of the plate is a threaded hole that screws onto a center rod, as described below. There should be small screws that tighten perpendicular to the center rod to hold it in place.

Base

• Use a lathe to work a 3-by-3-by-12-inch piece of hard wood into a pleasing curved shape. This part's shape depends on the skill of the carpenter -- a veteran craftsman can create a beautiful and elaborate carving, whereas an amateur is well advised to leave it simple.

  Drill a hole through the center of this post, going about half way down, to fit the center rod described below. Glue a heavy-duty threaded washer to the top of this hole. The washer should be large enough and strong enough to accommodate the center rod fitting inside and still support the weight of whoever sits on the stool.

  The center rod is a piece of steel or iron about 12 inches long and threaded like a screw. It corresponds to the threads on the post washer and the plate on the bottom of the seat.

  Add four legs of a desired design by cutting wood into shapes that curve 90 degrees. They could be hard-right-angle pieces or gently curved pieces, but they should be stout and thick enough to accommodate the weight of the user. Attach them to the post by drilling holes and adding screws at the top and the bottom of the joint, facing diagonally toward the center.

Swivel

• Screw the center rod into the plate on the seat, tightening the screws that lock it into place.

  Screw the other end of the center rod into the base post. Test to see that it holds weight and can be adjusted to the desired height.

Finish

• Sand and finish the stool in the desired fashion. Perhaps paint it a wild color; perhaps give it a classic varnish.