H'ep with procedure

[GaryMc]

One of my winter projects will be to build two saddle-seat counter-height stools, sorta like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Clas...9650&psc=1

Our counters are 36" high so I am thinking +/-28" height, seat dimensions 12"X16", splayed legs to maybe 14"X18".  I have a ton of 5/4 prime straight-grained walnut that will be used, and I want to avoid the battleship-type construction used in most of my projects over 50+ years (no linebackers will ever sit on these!).  M&T joints for stretchers and footrests.  Maybe a 1/2" "saddle depth" across the width. Finish likely just Danish oil. Questions:

1) How would you fashion the "saddle"  for this?  My plan is to bandsaw out the general outline and then chisel/scrape/sand to finish-ready.  I do not have any of the large-scale carving/shaping tools like a scorp but have a foam-pad PC ROS, a 6X48 belt sander, and a bench spindle sander.  One thought is to make a sanding block from one of the bandsaw cutouts.

2) Would you taper the legs, likely to be about 1"X2" finish dimension?

Any other ideas or comments? TIA.

Gary

[fredhargis]

Do you have a router? My approach would be to make a cradle and route it out. Here's a short video that shows what i mean.

[GaryMc]

Do you have a router? My approach would be to make a cradle and route it out. Here's a short video that shows what i mean.

Fred - yeah I have several routers and I think you nailed it, thanks.  I thought about using a router but was way-overthinking it - picture a router swinging from a giant A-frame. 
 
Or making a dome-shaped router baseplate. 
 
Besides, this is a good excuse to build another jig to add to the collection hanging on the wall. 

[iclark]

If you have a good band saw, you could consider doing a re-saw-type cut for the arc. If your stock is thick enough, then you could cut 2 seats at a time.

Save the cutoff "waste" and double-back tape them on to make drilling for mortises easier.

[cams2705]

Tommy Mac builds stools just like these.

Check out the link below...you can buy plans or just watch the video for free.

LINK