Use hard wood such as maple, ash, or oak. The stock required for each
stool will be four pieces 20-1/2 × 1-1/2 × 1 inches, two pieces 14 ×
1-1/8 × 1-1/8 inches, and two pieces 10-1/2 × 5/8 × 5/8 inches.
[Illustration: Fig. 214. The camp-stool]
The four legs are made as shown at _a_ (Fig. 214). The small end is
to be rounded to a diameter of 5/8 inch; 8-1/2 inches from this end a
3/16-inch hole is bored for the rivet or bolt, which is to hold the
legs together. Seven inches from the lower or foot end a 1/2-inch
hole is bored 3/8 or 3/4 inch deep. This is to receive the cross rod
or dowel. The two top pieces 14 × 1-1/8 × 1-1/8 inches are rounded on
two of their edges as shown at _b_. On the flat side of one of these
bore two holes 5/8 inch diameter and 3/4 inch deep, 9 inches apart, to
receive the small end of the leg. On the other top piece, the holes
are eleven inches apart.
The two cross pieces may be rounded, or pieces of 5/8-inch maple dowel
used. In either case, the ends must be pared down to a diameter of 1/2
inch to fit the holes of this size. One is to be sawed nine inches
long, the other eleven.
The camp-stool is composed of two frames pivoted together. Put together
the inner frame, first gluing the legs into holes bored in top pieces,
and at the same time gluing in the cross piece. These joints may be
fastened by driving a brad through from the outside, or by wedges, as
described in previous chapters. The outer frame is now put together,
and the two pivoted. This is usually done with a rivet, a thin washer
having been placed between the two sets of legs to relieve the
friction. A small bolt and nut may be used, but as the nut is liable to
come off, the bolt end should be riveted over the nut with the hammer.
Canvas or even a piece of carpet may be used for the seat. The size
required is 15 by 12, the ends being tacked to the lower side of the
top pieces. When canvas is used, it is usually turned under an inch
on each side, and hemmed. In this case, its width must be at least
fourteen inches. All articles which are to be handled much should have
the edges slightly rounded; this rule applies to the camp-stool.