Make this easy and basic DIY Shop Stool using only 3 - 2x4x8 boards.
The cost is less than $10 to make. It would also make a great side table or plant stand.
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Note: The cost of wood has increased since the first posting of this DIY stool. It is still an incredibly inexpensive project but it may cost more than $10.
It has been a minute since we have been able to get outside and start a new wood project.
We have a few new plans in the works but first I needed to fix a problem that I have been dealing with every time we build in the garage.
A place to sit! So today's build is a super simple DIY shop stool.
When I say super simple I totally mean super-duper simple.
This stool is built out of 3 - 2x4s and a handful of screws.
Total cost under $10. Wow!
I'm pretty sure I couldn't have even bought an average-priced one at the local dollar store for under $10.
What is even cooler about this build is that it could easily be used as a side table for your patio or house too.
It would even work equally great as a plant stand.
Today though, it is a DIY stool. Keep reading for all the tutorial details.
How do you make a simple DIY shop stool?
Shopping List:
- 3 -- 2x4x8 boards
- 2" pocket hole screws
- 2" flathead screws (or 2" flathead nails)
- wood glue
- sandpaper
- finishing supplies (if you want to stain your stool)
Tools you will need to build this simple DIY shop stool.
- Tape Measure
- Speed Square
- Pencil
- Safety Glasses
- Ear Protection
- Drill / Drill Bits
- Miter Saw
- Sander
- Kreg Jig
Cut List:
- 4 - 22 ½" (legs)
- 4 - 10 ½" (front/back support boards)
- 4 - 13" (side support boards)
- 5 - 16" (seat boards)
Directions:
Step 1: Use a miter saw to cut the lumber for your stool.
Step 2: Using two front/back supports and two leg boards make one front panel.
We used a Kreg Jig to attach these with 2" pocket hole screws and wood glue.
The first support should be flush with the top of the leg board and then the other should be attached with 8 ½ inches in between the two.
Step 3: Using the other two front/back supports and two leg boards make your other back panel. Attaching the support pieces at the same points.
Step 4: Sand all of your pieces before assembling the rest of the stool.
Step 5: Attach the front and back panels using the side support boards.
Two boards on each side. These will also be attached at the same points.
The top board is flush with the legs and the others with 8 ½ inches in between.
Step 6: Attach the 5 top seat boards using Flathead screws or just regular 2" nails.
Step 7: Stain or Paint...
We just decided to let ours naturally darken like the rest of the projects in our garage, but if we were going to use it for the house, we would probably use this homemade wood stain. I love it!
Estimated Cost: Less than $10, though this depends on the current cost of wood.
Skill Level: Beginner
I hope you found this tutorial helpful and would love to hear if you built one and what you are using it for.
If you enjoyed this DIY Shop Stool project you might also like these other easy woodworking projects we have done.
Home Depot Worker
Saturday 12th of November 2022
2x4x8s at HD are about 5 dollars a pop. Still a fairly cheap project.
Melissa
Monday 14th of November 2022
Yeah, that is why I mentioned that the price is probably different as the cost of lumber has significantly gone up since the post was originally created.
Arun
Tuesday 5th of April 2022
I've made this twice before. One for inside the house (being used as a cage to protect subwoofer from curious toddlers!) and one for outside with some waterproofing being used as a stand for small fountain. Both of those times, cost was close to $10. This time around, thanks to jacked up lumber prices, it came close to $30 just for the wood. Lol, even then, I love to build it and is such a good value. Building it again this time around per a family member's request for them to use as night stand!
Melissa
Wednesday 6th of April 2022
Yes, still a good deal at $30 but definitely the price of wood has brought the cost up. We have made several of them because they make such good stools/stands for a variety of purposes.
Vince Naokwegijig
Saturday 25th of September 2021
I've made two of these and am making another one as I'm writing this, such a sturdy, easy to make stool! Definitely one of my favourite things to make now. Thanks so much for the plan!
Melissa
Monday 27th of September 2021
Awesome! They are handy for so many different things, shop stools, inside stools, plant stands, side table, etc.
Jeanette Main
Wednesday 5th of August 2020
I've made three of these for gifts. It is so easy and they look so awesome! They are super sturdy!
Melissa
Thursday 6th of August 2020
That is awesome, yes they are super easy to make and even better inexpensive as well.
Grace
Saturday 14th of September 2019
Curious why you say to cut lumber with miter saw when they're straight cuts? Adding this to my list of projects to make! Thinking it might be perfect size to hold my printer.
Melissa
Monday 16th of September 2019
A miter saw makes straight cuts as well as angled cuts.