On January 25, I’m going to build a new shop stool and I’d like you to join in on the fun!
The idea of this build-off is to have a group of woodworkers simultaneously build a shop stool and share pictures along the way. I plan to share my progress on Twitter and Facebook through my Tumblr page (hashtag #SSBO). I’ve invited forum members who are not into Twitter or fB to Share their progress on the forum! I encourage you to join me and build and share your own shop stool on January 25.
There are no rules. You can work from plans or you can design on the fly. You can use complicated joinery or simply cut a tree stump to an appropriate height. You can start with rough lumber, pre-milled boards, or even steel. One great thing about a shop stool is that the design possibilities are endless and the pressure to do the finest work isn’t there (at least for me).
The official start is Saturday, January 25th at 8 am Pacific (that’s 8 am for me, 10 am for Jim in Wisconsin, 11 am for Anthony in Ottawa, noon for Neil in Nova Scotia and 4 pm for Jamie in the UK.), but if you wish to participate, you don’t have to start at that time. You are allowed to do planning and prep work earlier. I hope to finish my stool in one day, but the build-off will carry on through Sunday if required.
After the stools are complete, I would like to share everybody’s work on my blog.
Sculptural Woodwork by Chris Wong 
What a great Idea! I have had some parts that I wanted to use for a stool now I have the motivation to do so thanks
Curse you, Chris. I just came here to sign up for the stool build and wandered off into your Pinterest board. Kissed a few hours goodbye with that. You seem to be inspired by a lot of the same things as me.
I have to get home and check with SWMBO if there are any plans for that weekend. If there aren’t any other plans, I would like to participate.
If the weekend is really available for the project, do you wan’t me to use the register form again, or is threre another way to update it?
Brgds
Jonas
Hi Jonas,
You can either resubmit the form, or e-mail me.
Chris
OK, I’m in. This should be interesting…
Should be fun and interesting to see different designs, I know I am thinking outside of the box!
I would love to do this….I was actually just getting ready to build a shop stool for myself…perfect timing! Although it may be tough to finish what I was planning on it two days. Definitely wouldn’t get a finish on it, but I’m assuming that isn’t a requirement. What are you considering as completed?
Charlie,
For the purpose of the build-off, complete is something that is usable as a stool. Finish is not a requirement.
Chris
EXCITED!!!! I love projects that wrap up fast. and I also like projects that have a function.
Sounds like a wonderful idea and good time. Hope to be able to participate.
By “Prep work,” can we cut some basic parts, like rough panels or legs, without doing the actual joinery or assembly? Or do you just mean J/P rough timber?
Alex,
I’ll let you define what prep work is. Some participants are doing bent laminations beforehand.
Chris
Going to try! I’ll see see if it is warm enough in Minnesota that weekend to heat the garage with my small heater!
First cut design on my blog: http://mcglynnonmaking.wordpress.com/2014/01/11/shop-stool-build-off-design-1/.
I’m not sure if I’ll make this one or something else, I have a few other ideas to play with.
Joe,
Thanks for spreading the word and sharing the link. Please let me know if you write more posts on the Shop Stool Build-Off and I’ll help promote them.
Chris
I’ll try to join the game.
So far, my simple design on my blog (in Polish): http://warsztat-domowy.pl/2014/01/ogolnoswiatowa-akcja-budowy-stolkow/
Regards
— Andrzej Boczek – Amatorski Warsztat-Domowy.pl
This is bigger than the winter olympics :-)
Going for something of the norm but it’s a great way to get the young apprentice to spend a solid day on a project. Also nice to see some cool looking stools.
This is a fantastic idea Chris and I can’t wait to be a part of it!
Like some others, I’ve started rough parts work and planning already. I have had a nice slab of wood that I have wanted to use for a seat for a while now, and this is a great chance to get ‘er done!
Am I too late? I don’t have a web site to display my work. I don’t store any of my photos on any public place except for my YouTube slide show/videos. What is your suggestion for displaying my work?
Hi David,
You’re not too late. If you’re not into the social media thing (Facebook, Twitter, etc), I would suggest Tumblr (http://www.tumblr.com/). I find it simple and easy to use. I use it to share live updates from my shop all the time. I usually take photos with my smartphone and post them with the Tumblr apps, but sometimes I also take photos with my regular (non-phone) camera, load them into my computer and upload them to Tumblr from there.
Chris
I’d love to join in but I’m pretty sure I’ll be spending all weekend doing homework :(
Ok, I think I’m set to go. The good thing is being in Melbourne I’m 19 hours ahead of you so I have plenty of extra time to fix all the mistakes I make!