Introduction: All-In-One Music Stand and Chair

At school, I always have a hard time setting up for my band class. From our storage room to the stage area, I have to bring over my instrument, music stand, and chair. Seeing as I only have two hands, my only options are to either make two trips or find a way to wrap my arms around all three objects at once. My solution for this is to combine both the chair and stand together, eliminating the need for two trips. This is also good for use around the home as well. Since it is compact, it can be stored off in a corner and used whenever.

Materials Needed:

  • 50 inches of PVC pipe in total or 3 PVC pipes at least 12 inches in length each
  • Two 90 degree similar to similar PVC elbows
  • One 90 degree street elbow (that can fit with the above PVC elbow)
  • Piece of wood large enough to be used as a seat
  • 4 Pieces of wood at least 18 inches in length to be used as legs
  • Circular saw, miter saw, or another wood cutting tool
  • Power Drill
  • Drill bit set
  • Hole saw bit set (big enough for PVC to fit through)
  • Small planks of scrap wood (couple of inches in length and width)
  • At least 30 screws 2-3/4in. in length
  • Tape measure and pencil
  • Tube Cutter
  • 2 Pins
  • 2 Washers (can fit onto screw), strong glue, or tape
  • Binder Clip
  • Cardboard

Step 1: Cutting Your Wood

For the legs, cut out 4 legs of wood that are approximately 18 inches in length and are of decent width and depth. The size I used was 18" by 1-3/4" by 1-1/2".

For the seat, cut out a square shape that is suitable for sitting on. The size I used is 10" x 11".

Step 2: Aligning and Drilling the Wood

Lay the wood for the seat flat on the floor and place the four legs in the arrangement you would like them in. Trace the outside of the legs onto the seat using a pencil. On the other side, recreate the same outlines. Now with the drawings already made, flip the stool into a standing position.

Find a drill bit that is a bit smaller than the screw you are using so that the thread can fit snugly. Attach the drill bit to the power drill and drill through the four centers of the "leg outlines" on the seat.

Step 3: Attaching the Legs, Borders, and Braces

Now with the four holes in the seat drilled out, align the legs correctly under the seat. Grab a screw and begin to screw both pieces together with the power drill. The screws should go through the seat and into the legs as well.

Cut out pieces of wood which can fit under the seat and go around the legs. Attach them onto the legs by repeating the process of drilling with a (smaller) drill bit first, then putting in a screw after.

For the leg braces, cut out 4 small pieces of wood which can push out the chair legs and make the legs parallel to each other. This will prevent any uneven wobbling and bending of the chair. Attach them to the legs by repeating the process of drilling and putting in the screw (above).

Step 4: Making the Holes

Find a hole saw size that will clear the PVC pipe smoothly if it is pushed through, but isn't big enough for it to go through with the elbow attached. Sit on the stool and find a position that is comfortable for you. Drill a hole through the center of the plank on the side you're facing.

Find a scrap piece of wood which can fit under the seat and make a hole through the center of that as well. Attach it to the center part of the underside of the seat, making sure it is in line with the previous hole as well.

With the seat, drill two holes through the top so that the pipes can slide through (if too far on the outside, pipes may hit the leg brace when put through).

Step 5: Prepping the PVC

Choose a PVC pipe (top most) that is approximately 12 inches in length and attach the "similar to similar" elbow onto that piece. About half an inch away from the end of that PVC, drill a small hole through both sides so that a small screw or stick can fit through it.

Attach the "street elbow" onto the second PVC of similar size (middle).

Attach the similar to similar elbow onto the longest PVC which is a little more than 24 inches in length.

*If needed, use a tube cutter to shorten PVC

*My bottom elbow is different since I used a PVC of different size. The above instructions work if all 3 PVC are of equal diameter.

Step 6: Adding the Extras

Using the drilled PVC, place it through the two holes under the seat, making it parallel to the ground. Make sure that the elbow is still attached and drill holes in half-inch increments from the elbow back. Stop after about 4 holes or so. This is for adjustability of the reach.

To the outside of the plank, right next to the PVC, the pins should be attached and should be insertable into the drilled holes on the PVC.

The longest PVC should have a slit at the top just wide enough for a piece of cardboard to fit snugly through. A bow saw can be used in this instance.

A wide enough piece of cardboard which can support the sheet music should be cut.

Step 7: Assembly

Place the PVC with the drilled holes through the hole parallel to the ground. Add a screw to the end of the pipe (under the seat) and add either the washers, glue, or tape to both ends to prevent the screw from falling out. The pipe should now be resting on two planks of wood.

The second longest pipe with the "street elbow" should be placed onto the other pipe, and the longest PVC placed perpendicular to both of them. The pin on the side of the plank should be placed in one of the holes to lock the pipe into place.

The cardboard should be placed into the slit at the top of the PVC and the binder clip will be used to mount any sheet music onto it.