Custom Elegant Stool
Alan Turner
Class Preview
0:53
- In-depth Instruction; over 194 mins
- On-demand video access anytime
- Bonus downloadable PDF resources
- Access to class Q&A
Introduction & Milling the Boards
23:21
Meet your instructor, lifelong woodworker and professional teacher Alan Turner, as he previews the curved legs, seat and stretchers you'll make for this beautiful stool. Then get started as Alan walks you through milling the lumber for all of the parts of your stool.
Creating the Seat & Legs
30:57
Discover how angling the legs will affect your construction at nearly every step. Alan shows you how to use a jig to create angled leg holes in the seat before using a lathe to create the leg tenons. Then, see how to use a handsaw and chisel to angle the leg shoulders for a flush fit to the seat.
Angled Mortise & Tenon Joinery
32:04
Alan offers professional tips for measuring and marking the blind, angled leg mortises used to attach the leg stretchers. Learn how to build an angled wedge jig and how to properly set up your chisel mortiser for perfect cuts every time. Then, use a dado blade on your table saw and a bandsaw to make the stretcher tenons.
Curving & Installing the Legs
27:41
Create this stool's signature curves as you learn how to mark and cut the stool legs. Alan takes you through the pattern jig he uses to make the curves and before demonstrating how to use a bandsaw and router to create the final shape. Then, create shallow leg mortises on the stool seat so that the legs will remain stable, even if the wood swells with the seasons.
Shaping the Concave Curve on the Seat
19:35
Learn how to create a jig that will allow you to make the seat's concave shape with a hand-held router. Then, pick up Alan's tips for minimizing tearout and router burn when working with such a large piece of lumber. Finally, Alan takes you through the process of rounding over the seat that appears to be floating over its legs.
Finishing the Joinery & Dry Fitting
22:13
Your stool is nearly finished! Mark and rough cut the leg tenons and create the wedge opening. Then, using a bandsaw, cut the curve in your stretches before cutting extremely thin, angled wedges out of ebony; Alan demonstrates using his simple, handy jig. Finally, dry-fit your stool as you make any final adjustments in preparation for gluing up.
Final Gluing, Sanding & Leveling
38:07
Knock down any remaining sharp corners on the seat with a rasp before you glue up your stool. Alan takes you step by step through this critical process, sharing best practices for applying glue -- and cleaning it up. Then, cut and glue up the cross stretchers, trim down the leg tenons, and level and chamfer the legs for an elegant, stable stool.
Use shop-made jigs, smart calculations, hand-tool techniques and more as you learn how to build a stool that’s sure to be the best seat in the house. With Philadelphia Furniture Workshop founder Alan Turner as your guide, you’ll start by cutting, then pattern-routing your stool’s legs, and turning tenons on the lathe. Build the skills to drill compound angles for the seat, saw and clean tenon shoulders and assemble your joints for a perfect fit. You’ll also create a variety of angled joinery to give your piece a unique profile. Alan will teach you to shape an ergonomic seat top using a gimbal jig, and add curved leg stretchers for an even more eye-catching design. Finally, level and chamfer the legs to finish a sophisticated stool with maximum stability.
Alan Turner
Alan Turner is a lifelong woodworker and the founder of Philadelphia Furniture Workshop — a nonprofit, full-service school, teaching everything from basic courses for beginners to advanced courses for highly experienced woodworkers. Along with teaching woodworking, Alan also enjoys taking on the occasional furniture commission.
Bonus materials available after purchase