Make Log Bar Stools

If you would like to have a set of rustic-looking log bar stools, you can make them yourself. They would look perfect in your man cave, or any room with a bar in your home. You can proudly boast to your friends and family that you created this furniture yourself. So, all you have to do is to get your logs, tools and sandpaper ready. You can create this set of four great looking log bar stools in just a few days.

1. 1
   Required materials for each log bar stool

   :

   • Four straight tree limbs one-foot long and two-inch diameter.
   • Four straight tree limbs two-feet long and two-inch diameter.
   • One piece of tree trunk at least four inches thick and 16 inches diameter.
   • Wood screws
   • Electric drill
   • Wood plane
   • 80-grit sandpaper
   • Shellac
   • Foam paintbrush
   • Wood glue
   • Rubber mallet

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2. 2
   Instructions to build your log bar stools

    

   1. Cut all eight tree branches and the trunk piece to exact measurements.
   2. Remove all bark, and sand the parts.
   3. With the plane shape one end of each two-foot leg to a slight bevel the last two inches. Shape the end until it is a one-inch diameter.
   4. Plane the one-foot branches for a taper at each end measuring a one-inch diameter. They will be the cross-bars for the stool legs.
   5. The trunk piece will become the seat. Sand the top so that it is level and smooth. It will be attractive with the grain showing along the top.
   6. Apply three coats of shellac on the entire bar stool parts. Allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next coat.
   7. At the midpoint of each long leg, drill a one-inch diameter hole that is inset one inch. This will allow the ends of the one-foot cross-pieces to fit snugly. Further shape and/or sand each crosspiece so that it will insert. Apply wood glue in each hole, and insert each cross piece. Tap each one into place with the mallet if needed.
   8. With the four legs equidistant from the edges on the underside of the seat, trace around each one with a pencil. The holes will be a one-inch diameter.
   9. Drill the four one-inch diameter holes that you have marked out. Drill each hole three inches deep.
   10. Apply wood glue along the walls of each hole. Then insert the four legs. Tap them into place with the mallet.
   11. Once the glue dries, the log bar stool is ready for you to pull up to the bar and have your favorite drink. You can drive wood screws through the legs, and into each of the cross bars for added strength. You can also drive wood screws through the seat, and into the top of each leg as well.
   12. Do any "touching up" with shellac if needed. Just be sure that the shellac is completely dry before you use your pioneer style log bar stool.
   13. Now all you have to do is build a few more rustic log bar stools so you can share your bar with a few friends.

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I drilled my hole too deep in the bar stool it popped right up through the top, what should I do?

What should I do to make it better

You can use a wood filler. Here is a large selection of wood fillers. Some people just use sawdust mixed with epoxy. You have to buy one that can be painted over ("stainable"). Apply a slightly excessive amount of the filler into the hole so that it is bulging from the top a bit. Use a putty knife to compress the wood filler a bit and apply more of the filler if needed. Let it sit until it is dry. Then, take a sandpaper and sand the protruding parts. The filled hole should be levelled with the rest of the surface. Always sand in the direction of the grain of the wood. Now, use compressed air to clean the surface from the sawdust and then, you can apply paint if you wish. You will have to pick the right color of the paint. Then, you can re-drill the hole.

If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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