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Scribing The Legs And Finishing The Stool

Check that the stool seat is level using a spirit level. If it is uneven, wedge a scrap piece of wood under the shortest leg (or possibly two) until you’re level.

Use another scrap piece of wood the same height as the (tallest) wedge and use this to mark around the other legs. You can now cut the ends off with a tenon saw to ensure a level height.

Put a packer under the shorter leg, or even on two
Put a packer under the shorter leg, or even on two
Check that the top is sitting level
Check that the top is sitting level
Find a block the same height as your wedge
Find a block the same height as your wedge
Trace around it onto the longer leg(s)
Trace around it onto the longer leg(s)
Saw down the end of the leg carefully
Saw down the end of the leg carefully

Sand the surface of the seat with 250 grit sandpaper to remove any marks from the vise as well as any pencil markings. Paul recommends finishing your stool with 3-4 coats of shellac. See our guide for more information on Finishing with Shellac.

Start with the end grain as it absorbs more readily
Start with the end grain as it absorbs more readily
Coat the whole perimeter of your seat
Coat the whole perimeter of your seat
Make sure you get the whole of the underside
Make sure you get the whole of the underside
Coat the end of the legs before you put the stool down to get the rest
Coat the end of the legs before you put the stool down to get the rest
The finished stool after 3 coats
The finished stool after 3 coats

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