DIY Easy Patio Stools

So last week we made our first set of Cornhole boards!  (See our previous blog post below)  This is our first attempt at some backyard DIY fun.  This week we made a patio stool to go with them!  It's a quick and easy stool to sit and watch the game and enjoy a refreshing beverage or two.  :)   And, stay tuned.....  next week we have one more fun addition to our backyard fun!  The plans for this stool can be found on Lowe's  Game-Day Patio Gathering Space Blog.
Tools

• Tablesaw or portable circular saw and straightedge
• Miter saw or miter box and hand saw
• Electric drill/driver, drill bits, countersink, driver bit

Materials

• 2-in deck screws
• 1-1/4-in deck screws
• 19-in x 18-in solid red seat pad, #505934, or cushion of your choice
• Minwax Classic Gray Stain
• 3 - 2x4x8's
• 1 - 1x3x8
• 1 - 1/2 x 24 x 48 treated plywood

Cut List:
      apron (E) -  3 1/2 x  19 3/16
      wide upright (B) - 3 1/2 x 19
      narrow upright (C) - 2 1/2 x  19
      seat panel (D) - 24 x 48

Instructions: 
Cut the aprons (A) to length. Position the aprons in a “pinwheel” orientation (one end of an apron butted against the mating apron and the other end overlapping the end of the next mating apron). Drill countersunk pilot holes, apply waterproof glue and drive 2-inch deck screws.

Cut the wide uprights (B) and narrow uprights (C) to length. Glue and screw together pairs of uprights to form four legs . Set the legs aside.

Measure the inside dimensions of the apron frame and cut the seat panel (D) to size, making a close fit. Place four 13/16-inch-thick blocks under the seat panel and slide the apron frame over the panel. (Raising the seat panel on the scrap blocks creates a recess to hold the cushion in place.)

Retrieve the legs. Apply glue and position the first leg in the inside corner of the apron (A) frame with the end of the leg resting on the seat panel (D). Fasten the leg to the frame with 1 1/4-inch deck screws. Repeat with the remaining three legs, orienting them so the wide uprights of each pair of legs face outward on opposite sides of the apron frames. This orientation gives you a symmetrical appearance on each side of the stool. On two opposite sides, only the faces of the wide uprights (B) are visible. On the other two opposite sides, the edges of the wide uprights and the faces of the narrow uprights (C) are visible.

​Turn the stool right side up. Drill countersunk pilot holes through the seat panel at each corner and screw the panel to the legs.

Like the aprons (A), the stretchers (E) are installed in pinwheel fashion. Cut the stretchers to length  and assemble.  Place 13/16-inch-thick scraps under the stretcher frame at each corner and slide the seat/legs assembly over the frame. Clamp the frame in place.  Drill pilot holes through the stretchers (E) from the inside and fasten the stretchers to the legs with 1-1/4-inch deck screws.

Finish & Stain
To prevent splinters, sand slight bevels on all exposed edges and corners. Remove the sanding dust and apply an exterior sealer/stain to all parts, double-coating all exposed end grain. Triple-coat the bottoms of the legs. With the finish dry, add a seat cushion in the seat recess.  Voila!  Complete!