I build these stools mainly as a way to use up hardwood scraps that are too nice for the woodstove, but too small for bigger projects. As with the case of bowls, I have made a ton of these, and given a bunch as gifts to friends and relatives. At first I turned the seats on the lathe, but later found it was much faster to bandsaw the top into shape, and use a spokeshave to smooth the edge and make a bevel. This method also allows tops that are oval in shape. Overall construction time for the smaller stools is about 1 hour. I have made some three-legged versions, but these are a lot less stable than the four-legged variety. The legs are mortised into the seat, and locked with splines of a contrasting wood. Above are stools made from cherry and ash - the cherry stool on the left was darkened using a fairly strong solution of lye before finishing.