One of the first woodworking projects I completed when I was a little boy was a three legged log stool. My father, his father, and I, cut down a small Pine tree near our Colorado mountain home. We used simple dowel rods for legs and sliced up that little tree trunk to make a seat. All these years later, I still have that little three legged log stool.
This three legged log stool is a great project for beginners! You don’t really need many tools, and just about any old log will do.
Mortise and Tenon Joinery
The three legged log stool is built using one of the oldest and most common types of woodworking joints known. In its most basic form, a mortise and tenon joint is both simple and extremely strong. While there may be many variations of this type of joint, the basic mortise and tenon is comprised of two components:
- the mortise, or hole
- the tenon, or tongue
The tenon, formed on the end of a member generally referred to as a rail (tree limb or branch), fits into a square, rectangular, or round hole cut into the other, corresponding member (log disc or wooden slab).
Log Stool at Garden of the Gods, Colorado
The tenon is then cut to fit the mortise hole exactly. It typically has shoulders that seat when the tenon fully enters the mortise hole. Tenon joints may be glued, pinned, or wedged to lock them in place.
Three Leg Log “milking stool”
Watch closely, enjoy your time here and have some fun while I show you two entirely different ways How-to Make a Three Legged Log Stool … and, If you have any questions, be sure to send them my way. I’m always happy to help!
First, it’s a couple “vintage” videos from my 14 part series showing you the same steps how my Grandpa and I did it back in the day …
When you are ready, go Subscribe to our Newsletter, I will send you the entire video series to your inbox then follow-up with more.
So go grab a log, get a few tools, and let’s get started.
Day 1 – Getting Started
Day 2 – The Right Tools For The Job
Day 12 – Final Assembly
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Three Legged Stool – Steel and Log Version
Now! this is an entirely different approach to the Three Legged Stool.
It’s a log, and metal makes it work.
Watch How-To Make A 3 Legged Stool
Once you start, it’s hard to stop…Make more log furniture! Check out all of our Log Furniture and Tool Blueprints, including this Three Legged Log Stool.