How to Build a Swivel Bar Stool

Cutting the Pieces for Your Swivel Bar Stool

• 1

  Cut four 3-foot pieces from the 2-by-2s with the circular saw for the legs.

• 2

  Cut eight 7-inch pieces from the 2-by-2 boards.

• 3

  Cut a 10-inch square piece from the plywood.

• 4

  Draw a 1-foot-4-inch square box on a piece of plywood. Mark the center of this box by lightly tapping a nail into the plywood. Tie one end of the string around the nail and extend it to the center of one of the edges of the box. Take a pencil and use the spot of your string exactly at the edge to draw a perfect 1-foot-4-inch-wide circle on the plywood. Use the keyhole saw to cut out the circle from the plywood.

• 5

  Sand all rough edges off the cut pieces. Apply wood stain or paint of your choice and allow to dry.

Constructing Your Swivel Bar Stool

• 6

  Lay two leg pieces on the floor parallel to each other 7 inches apart. Place a 7-inch-long piece between the legs on one end so you have three sides of a rectangle. Drive a 2½-inch screw through the side of both legs into the ends of the shorter piece.

• 7

  Place another 7-inch piece between the legs 2 feet away from the other 7-inch piece. Screw it to both legs with 2½-inch screws.

• 8

  Repeat steps 1 and 2 and build another similar section using the other two legs and two more shorter pieces.

• 9

  Lay the two sections on the side of one leg parallel to each other 7 inches apart so the 7-inch pieces are vertical. Screw the remaining four 7-inch 2-by-2 pieces between the legs not attached yet at the same level as the other four 7-inch pieces. You now have four legs with a square frame holding them together at the top and another square frame two feet below that one.

• 10

  Place the 10-inch square piece of plywood on top of the frame at the top of the four legs. Drive a 1½-inch screw through each corner into all four legs.

• 11

  Center the 6¾-inch swivel plate on top of the square piece and attach it. Use 5/8-inch screws and drive them through the bottom part of the plate into the plywood.

• 12

  Center the round seat on top of the swivel plate. Screw it to the plate with 5/8-inch screws.