Homemade Folding Camping Stools

Homemade Folding Camping Stools
If space is an issue, or you just like to travel light, folding stools can be an alternative to cumbersome camp chairs. Stools are lightweight and easy to pack and store. Building your own can also provide significant cost savings over purchasing stools at a camping or outdoors store. Simple stools can be completed in 15 to 30 minutes, as long as you are familiar with basic carpentry techniques.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:
  • Four 24-inch 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 your 2x2 pieces to the appropriate lengths. Cut one 18-inch piece, one 200inch piece and four 24-inch pieces.
Step 2
Drill bolt holes in the center of each 24-inch piece. The holes need to be just large enough for the bolts to pass easily through.
Step 3
Lay your 24-inch pieces, which will be the legs of the stool, side by side in sets of two. Line up the bolt holes you drilled for each set. For each of the two sets, slide a bolt through both the holes and screw a wing nut onto the end. After tightening the nut, back it off about a quarter turn to allow the legs to open and close freely.
Step 4
Open the legs and attach the cross pieces, 20 and 18 inches, to the top. The 18-inch piece should be attached between the inner legs and the 20-inch piece between the outer legs.
Step 5
Cut a square of canvas, 18 inches on a side. This forms the stool's seat.
Step 6
Wrap the canvas over the 18-inch and 20-inch cross pieces and secure the canvas to the bottom of those pieces with a staple gun or strong glue. Allow time to dry if you used glue.

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
  • Editor's Pick

    Backcountry Camping Tips

    Backcountry Camping Tips

    You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...

    More Backcountry Camping...
  • Popular Article

    Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

    Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

    Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...

    More Beach Camping...
  • Featured Video

    Common Sense Hiking Tips

    Common Sense Hiking Tips

    The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.

    More Camping Basics...

Outdoor Gear & Equipment

ALL NEW Trails Gear Store powered by:

Trail Finder

US Map

Search by Keyword