Simple Wooden Stool - My Wife's First Project | Surprise DIY Woodworking Workshop

There is one person who suffers for years from my DIY & Woodworking hobby, which takes a lot of time in the relationship and the family, and one person who is excited about the results and eager to show everyone. Both of them are actually my wife... ❤️ ️🥰

So for the occasion of our 10 years anniversary celebrations, I decided to surprise her and throw her into the water, into my hobby, and make a project together, so she would experience the thrill of creation with me.

We built this simple stool from scrap wood and some wood & paint leftovers from a previous instructable.

Before the main project, we began by a quick training, of learning (briefly) how to use some basic tools that she has never been touched... It was kind of "Couples Woodworking Workshop" / "DIY Date".

My wife was passionate about the work, and asked when will we make the next project 💪

The project is divided to 2 big phases:

I started by making the top board of the stool, myself (Video #1) as a preliminary part for the full project.
Later, we continued together to make the stool body, during the surprise. (Video #2)

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Thank you.

Supplies

General List of tools I'm using - https://www.itzikdiy.com/tools-list?m=1

Tools in this Instructable:

Circular saw or another saw
Hand saw
Sander - https://ali.ski/mcjGAn
Sanding paper
Drill driver
Measuring tape
Paint brush / Roller
Plate Joiner / Lamello Wood Biscuit Joiner (Not mandatory)

Materials:

Wood board for the stool top
~4*4.5cm wood profile for the stool body
Wood glue
Chalked paint or another
Clear protective topcoat (Varathane Satin Water-Based Interior Polyurethane)
Screws
Wet wipe
Wood filler

Step 1: Phase 1 - Making the Stool Top Board

I had a scrap oak wooden board, laying for a long time. It was a part of a 'stair cover' before.

You can see the board original state at the 2 pictures.

The board had 2cm thickness, but had additional frame on 2 sides, which made it look thicker - 4 cm, from the side.

I think it's called 'stair noising' but let me call it 'frame' in this instructable :)

I decided to use it as the stool top board. Preparing it can be seen in the ebove video, and also described in the below steps.

Step 2: Cutting the Board

I cut the board, so it will be shorter, since it was too long for a stool board.

The sided I cut was without a frame before.

The new length was 45cm.

The final dimensions of the top board are : 45*30 cm.

Step 3: Preparing the Board for the 3rd Side Frame Piece

I cut 2cm from the left side, but with leaving the 2cm front frame remained protrusive, so it can be ready for connecting a left side frame.

I started with the circular saw, and finished with a hand saw.

Step 4: Using Plate Joiner / Lamello Wood Biscuit Joiner

For connecting the left side frame, I used a Plate Joiner / Lamello Wood Biscuit Joiner.

I used a Dewalt machine, which I borrowed from a friend for this mission, and I used it for the first time.

I made sockets for 2 biscuits, on the plate left side, using the joiner machine.

Step 5: Making the Left Side Frame Piece

I took a 4cm piece of oak wood, for the left side frame.

I made sockets for 2 biscuits, on the piece, using the joiner machine.

The position of the sockets were matching to the ones on the large board, which I marked together.

Step 6: Testing the Biscuits Position on the Board

I put the biscuits on the board and pushed the frame piece, to check that it fits well, before glueing it.

Step 7: Glueing the Pieces for the Biscuits Connection

I put wood glue, on both pieces and inserted the biscuits again.

Step 8: Connecting the Parts for Drying

I connected both parts with the glue again, and holded it for drying with a large clamp.

Step 9: Sanding the Prepared Top Board

After drying, I sanded the prepared board with the 3 sides frame, using a sander machine.

Step 10: Painting the Top Board With Clear Protective Top Coat

Finally, I painted the board with a clear protective top coat.

The top board is ready!

Step 11: Starting the 'Surprise' Woodworking Workshop

As I mentioned in the introduction, this project started as a surprise for our 10 years anniversary celebrations.

I'm making woodworking projects myself for years, and decided to surprise my wife with her first woodworking project ever.

I prepared some basic tools for the project, and started by teaching her shortly, how to use each tool.

Step 12: First Time Holding a Drill....

This is what happens when you hold a drill for the first time... You should see the video :)

Step 13: Learning the Tools for the First Time

I showed her a quick using of each tool - Jigsaw, Drill driver, Sander.

We're ready to start a real simple woodworking project!

Step 14: Phase 2 - Making the Stool Body

I showed my wife the plans I prepared, for the furniture we were going to build. A stool.

Step 15: Cutting the Wooded Parts for the Body

For the body of the stool, we used some scrap pieces and leftovers of pine wood profile, which I had from previous my previous Console tableinstructableI made long time ago. The design of the stool also looks like the Console table.

The pine wood profile was about ~4*4.5 cm.

We started by cutting all parts of the stool body.

4 parts of 38 cm for the legs
4 parts of 31 cm for the legs front and back / upper and lower connectors.
4 parts of 19 cm for the legs left and right / upper and lower connectors.

Step 16: Sanding the Stool Body Parts

We sanded the stool body parts with a Sander machine and a sanding paper.

Step 17: Glueing and Connecting the Parts

We used wood glue for all parts connections before putting screws.

It assists with the strength of the build.

Step 18: Making the Front and Back Body Sides

We started by making 2 similar front and back pairs of legs.

Each leg was connected to the leg connector, with 2 screws. (see positions in the picture)

Step 19: Preparing Holes in the Front and Back Body Sides

For each pair of legs we made on the previous step, we drilled holes, one on each arrow shown on the picture, for connecting the other parts of the left and right connectors.

Step 20: Glueing All Parts for Final Connection

We put wood glue on all remaining connections.

Step 21: Final Connection of All Parts

The front prepared pair of legs, was connected to the left and right connectors.

Later the back prepared pair of legs, was connected to the left and right connectors from the other side.

Step 22: Filling Screws Holes

All screws holes were filled using a wood filler.

After drying, it was sanded using a sanding paper.

Step 23: Body Is Ready

After the body was ready, we tested the top board position on the body.

Step 24: Painting the Body Using Chalked Paint

Like additional projects, the kids like to participate as well... They painted the stool body using chalk paint, "soothing blue" color.

This paint was leftover from the Console table I made.

Step 25: Making Distressed Vintage Style Look

Using a wet wipe, I made a distressed look on the corners of the body, over the chalked paint, to give the stool a vintage look.

Step 26: Painting the Body With Clear Protective Top Coat

Finally, I painted the body with a clear protective top coat.

Step 27: Connecting the Body to the Top Board

The stool body, was connected to the top oak board, using 4 screws.

Step 28: The Result

This is the result.

Total dimensions: height - 40cm, width - 45cm, depth - 30cm.

Note: we made the stool not too deep - 30cm, due to a limit of space where it usually stands (there is a kitchen cabinet door which needs to be opened).
If you make this instructable, I recommend making your stool deeper... maybe square size like the width of the stool - 45*45cm. It will be more stable with a larger base. Anyway, for us it being used at the kitchen on a daily basis and it's stable enough.

You can also see the Console table which has similar colors and style.

What do you think of the result and the 'surprise workshop'?

If you are a woodworker pro or amateur, show this instructable to your spouse! Make a project together. It's amazing and fun! (Or make it as a surprise like I did)