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How To Make Folding Camp Stools

How To Make Folding Camp Stools
Folding stools provide simple campground seating that is easy to pack, store and carry. You can, of course, purchase stools in camping and sporting goods stores, but simple camp stools are easy to build and are significantly cheaper than store-bought ones. If you are experienced with measuring, cutting and drilling, one of these simple wooden stools should take you only 15 to 30 minutes to complete.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:
  • Four 24-inch-long 2x2s
  • One 20-inch 2x2
  • One 18-inch 2x2
  • Circular or table saw
  • Drill
  • Two 5-inch bolts
  • Two wing nuts
  • Four 4-inch wood screws
  • Canvas
  • Glue or staple gun
Step 1
Measure and cut the 2x2 wood if it's not already cut to length. You will need four pieces that are 24 inches in length, one that is 20 inches and one that is 18 inches.
Step 2
Drill holes through the center of each of the four 24-inch pieces. The hole diameter should be just large enough to allow your bolts to slide through.
Step 3
Assemble the stool legs by laying the 24-inch pieces side by side in sets of two, making sure the holes you drilled line up together for each set. Slide a bolt through each set of two pieces and screw the wing nuts onto the bolt ends. Tighten the nuts, then back them off about half a turn to allow your stool legs to rotate. You now have two sets of legs, joined at their centers, that can be opened and closed.
Step 4
Open the stool legs and attach the two cross pieces, at the top. The 20-inch piece will sit between the ends of the outside legs and the 18-inch piece will sit between the ends of the two inside legs. Secure in place using the 4-inch wood screws.
Step 5
Cut the canvas for the seat of the stool to an 18-inch square.
Step 6
Wrap the ends of the canvas around the cross braces you added between the tops of the legs. Secure to the bottom of the cross pieces with a strong wood-to-fabric glue or with a staple gun.

Article Written By Christopher Williams

Christopher Williams has spent over 11 years working in the information technology, health care and outdoor recreation fields. He has over seven years of technical and educational writing experience, and has brought strong skills and passion to the Demand Studios team in articles for eHow and Trails in 2009.

Write for Trails.com

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