How 15 Students Helped Me Build a Better Barstool

Want to learn how to make one of these yourself? Check out our bar stool woodworking course! 

Every woodworking project has a story, and this one begins with a bar stool designed for our own kitchen remodel. What started as a personal build soon turned into something much bigger — a design refined through teaching 16 students and building 21 stools in our Firehouse shop.

As we worked through the project together, the design evolved. Small adjustments, like reinforcing the seat joint with two Dominoes instead of one, made the stool safer, stronger, and easier for students to build. These refinements turned the project into a perfect teaching opportunity and laid the foundation for our bar stool woodworking course.

Now, you can follow along with the complete build from start to finish in our professionally filmed online class. The bar stool woodworking course includes detailed video lessons, downloadable plans, and step-by-step guidance so you can build a beautiful, durable stool for your own home. Whether you’re a hobbyist looking to refine your joinery skills or a seasoned woodworker searching for a rewarding project, this course gives you everything you need to succeed.

Join the course today and build your own bar stool with confidence.

Stuff Used in the Video

• Grab a copy of my book, Hybrid Woodworking!
• Get your very own Oreo Plushie! 
• Festool Domino
• 1/8″ Roundover Bit
• Whiteside Ultimate Flush Trim Bit – UDC9112 
• Dowel Jig – I use the JessEm
• Upholstery Stapler
• Double-Sided Tape
• Thin Pry Bar
• Titebond Liquid Hide Glue
• Toggle Clamps
• Preppin Weapon Sanding Block
• Backside Sandpaper
• Purchase templates here
• Polypropylene Webbing

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I Turned an Old Playground Into a Raised Garden Bed

Don’t miss the pre-order pricing on my latest course, the Counter-Height Bar Stool. Pre-Order Now! 

Sometimes the best woodworking projects don’t start with a fresh pile of lumber — they start with something old and worn out that’s just begging for a second life. In our case, that “something” was a weathered backyard playground that came with our house. It was rickety, faded, and more of an eyesore than a safe play structure. Instead of tearing it down and hauling it off to the dump, I saw an opportunity: what if I could turn this neglected playset into something useful?

That’s how the idea for a raised garden bed from old playground materials was born. By carefully dismantling the playset and sorting through the boards, I was able to salvage solid pieces of lumber. Of course, I had to make sure the wood wasn’t pressure-treated (which can be unsafe for growing food). After some research and testing, I confirmed the boards were untreated and safe to use.

Once I had my materials, it was just a matter of cutting them down to size, building the frame, and securing everything together. The end result? A sturdy, attractive raised garden bed from old playground wood that now produces fresh vegetables — and adds beauty to the yard where an eyesore once stood.

This project was not only about woodworking, but also about sustainability. Upcycling existing materials keeps them out of landfills and gives them a new purpose. It’s proof that with a little creativity and effort, you can transform something useless into something valuable.

Products Used

• Glue Roller
• Titebond 3
• Titebond Instant Bond
• Total Boat High Performance Epoxy
• High Density Filler
• Dark Mission Brown Transtint
• Garden Seal
• JessEm Dowel Jig
• Merle Clamp

Videos References

• Outdoor Finishes Real World Results
• Rubio Durogrit

Special thanks to Kevin over at Epic Gardening for his helpful advice!

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Marc’s Counter Height Bar Stool – Now an Online Course!

Marc’s popular Counter Height Bar Stool workshop is no longer just for those who could attend in person at the beginning of this year — it’s now available as a self-paced online class you can take from anywhere!

This project blends style, comfort, and durability into a single build. Marc will guide you through every step, from selecting materials to putting the final finish on your stool. Whether you’re a beginner looking to grow your skills or an experienced woodworker seeking a new challenge, this course will leave you with a beautiful, functional piece of furniture you can be proud of.

What You’ll Learn

• How to design a stool that’s both comfortable and attractive

• Joinery techniques that keep furniture strong for years

• How to shape and sculpt for an ergonomic seat and back

• Tips for working with angled joinery so everything fits perfectly

• Preparing the surface and applying a finish that lasts

By the end, you’ll have the know-how to build a single stool or a matching set for your home.

When It’s Available

The online course will go live September 5, 2025, giving you full access to detailed video lessons and downloadable plans. You can start any time and move at your own pace.

Don’t Want to Build One Yourself?

Marc has made a small batch of up to three finished Counter Height Bar Stools available for purchase.

You can see them here: Counter Height Bar Stool – TWW Store

• Free local pickup

• Shipping available — contact nicole@thewoodwhisperer.com for a quote for crate delivery.

Whether you want to build it yourself or buy one handmade by Marc, this is a great chance to bring a timeless piece into your home.

Reserve Your Spot in the Online Course and save big!

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You Need This! (Probably) | Mobile Clamp Wall

Get the plan for the Mobile Clamp Wall here!

Sign up for the Counter Height Bar Stool Course!

Let’s face it—there’s no such thing as too many clamps. But finding a place to put them all? That’s the real challenge. In this project, I build a mobile clamp wall that holds 54 parallel clamps, 14 F-style clamps, and 16 pipe/bar clamps—with room to grow. It also features pegboard sides for bonus storage and rolls smoothly around the shop on heavy-duty casters.

The build was done in a weekend using home center materials, with inspiration from Becca from Southern Pine Design. I walk through every step, from cutting outriggers and gluing angled supports to planning clamp layouts and adding shelf brackets strong enough to hold a small car, or at least a ridiculous number of clamps.

This mobile clamp wall is part practical shop upgrade, part excuse to use the phrase “show you my rack” without getting banned from YouTube. If your clamp collection is outgrowing your wall space, or you just want a fun and functional weekend project, this rolling clamp wall might be just what your shop needs.

If you’re looking for alternative options, check out my previous wall-hanging parallel clamp storage solution.

Important Links

• Shelf Brackets
• Wood River F-Style Clamp Rack
• Wood River Pipe Clamp Rack

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My First Epoxy Pour – Mistakes Were Made!

In this light-hearted woodworking adventure, I take on a unique commission from a local neighbor who needed help finishing an epoxy inlay on a massive mantle. Although epoxy work isn’t exactly my go-to specialty, I agreed to tackle the project, mainly for the challenge. And let’s face it, there would be a lot of potential for hilarity. This is, admittedly, my first epoxy pour. The most I’ve done with epoxy in the past was using it to fill knots, using it as a sealer, and making small resin art frames.

The mantle features a hand-carved “river” design inspired by the Legend of Zelda, specifically of the Rist Peninsula. The client created the initial shape using a Dremel. Before pouring the epoxy, I decided to refine the carving with power carving tools to smooth the edges and even out the depth. After some careful prep and color mixing, I poured the shimmering blue resin, layer by layer, to bring the carved river to life. That is, only after a disastrous start.

Despite some nerves and a few minor mishaps, the end result of my first epoxy pour is a dazzling epoxy-filled Zelda-themed mantle—and a reminder that sometimes saying “yes” to a project outside your wheelhouse can be surprisingly rewarding. And while I made mistakes, I found great value in learning hard lessons just by getting started!

Products Shown in the Video (affiliate links):

• Shabebe Deep Pour Epoxy
• Arm R Seal Satin
• Fuji Spray HVLP Turbine
• Milwaukee Die Grinder
• Carbide Burr (Round)
• Carbide Burr (Oval)
• BackSide Sandpaper
• Makrs Stain Pads Use Code TWW for 15% OFF!

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You still have time! Use FIREWORKS25 and get 40% selected Guild Courses!

Hey friends!

It’s time to celebrate our independence… from full-priced woodworking courses! We’re lighting up your inbox with a deal that’s hotter than a sparkler in July:

Grab the sale before it’s over!

Get 40% OFF ONE COURSE with code at checkout: FIREWORKS25  ​TWWGuild.com​

This explosive offer is good through July 6th and applies to nearly all Guild courses, with just a few exceptions. (These were released within the last year and are still fresh out of the woodworking oven.)

 ​Hand-Cut Dovetails: A Beginner’s Journey​ – an amazing course with Rob Cosman that half the proceeds go to ​The Purple Heart Project​

 ​Under Table Saw Storage Cabinet​ – Marc takes you on a detailed journey to build this amazing addition to your tablesaw.

 Frank Strazza’s ​Fundamentals of Hand Tool Woodworking​ and ​Intro to Marquetry​

But wait, there’s more! Our newest project, the ​Counter Height Bar Stool​, is now available for pre-order (which means it’s already on sale!). While it’s not part of this sale, ​Guild+ subscribers​ save an additional 5% on ALL courses, all the time, so if you’re in that club, you still score.

Need help deciding what to grab? Here are some of the most popular courses in Guild history:

• ​The Morley Lounge Chair​ – An elegant, modern chair build packed with joinery goodness and pro-level techniques.

• ​The Split-Top Roubo Workbench ​– Want a bench that lasts a lifetime? This is our flagship project, and thousands of woodworkers have tackled it with pride.

​ • The Tool Cabinet with Matt Cremona ​– A beautiful and practical project with curves, drawers, and a whole lotta character.

• ​The Shaker Table​ – A classic gateway project to fine woodworking with mortise and tenon joinery and tapered legs. Don’t know where to start, this is a perfect course to try.

• ​The Gaming Dining Table ​– Whether you’re hosting a holiday dinner or a heated board game night, this table transforms with style and functionality. Bonus: check out the ​free video for the dice towe​r on the main site!

• ​Intro to Bowl Turning with Ashley Harwood ​– Want to dip your toes into woodturning? Ashley’s clear, approachable style makes this the perfect starting point for spinning up beautiful bowls on the lathe.

Check out almost 80 detailed courses here: ​TWWGuild.com​

This deal will blow up in a few days (July 7th), so grab a course, light a sparkler, and build something awesome this summer (or just watch something awesome, nothing wrong with that either

Start a new woodworking journey with us and save 40%! Need some social proof that The Wood Whisperer Guild is the place to be? Check out some of our testimonials from our members here!

Stay safe, build well, and don’t blow off a finger!

Marc

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The Woodworking Morning Show for May 9th, 2025 – Big Announcement!

00:00 Introduction and Greetings
00:37 Catching Up with the Community
01:11 Health Updates and Humor
01:58 Convention Memories
02:46 Introducing Ourselves
04:45 The Evolution of the Show
06:07 Announcing Changes to the Show
07:59 Impact of YouTube Algorithm
11:25 Wood Talk Sponsorship Announcement
12:59 Shoutout to ‪@punishedprops‬ and Nicole’s favorite Utility Knife https://www.punishedprops.com/ppa-knives/
14:54 National Lost Sock Memorial Day
15:44 Woodcraft Sponsorship Details https://www.woodcraft.com/
16:39 Marc’s Favorite Travel Mug https://amzn.to/3GL0CHX
18:44 Woodworking Questions Begin
23:37 Finishing Experiences
27:56 Sharpening Chisels
29:06 Treasure Chest Project
30:48 Health and Energy Updates
33:47 Guild Plus and Membership Details http://thewoodwhispererguild.com/plus
34:47 Dust Collection and Air Cleaners https://amzn.to/3Z0Q3XF
34:47 Portable Dust Collection
36:40 Super Chats and Community Support
36:59 Reflecting on the Show’s Evolution
37:38 Future Content and Ideas
37:45 Mother’s Day Video
38:22 Bike Farmer Shoutout / @bkefrmr
39:23 Fixing Domino Mortises
40:41 Community Help and Magazine Prices
41:33 Router Table Tips
45:03 Shoe Recommendations
48:29 Favorite Wood Species for Spatulas
49:42 Food Safe Finishes
50:33 Science Experiments and Bacteria
51:26 Movie Mix-Up Confession
53:10 Upcoming Show Changes
53:28 Book Writing Challenges
53:46 Live Questions and Answers
55:53 Watch the new Helmet Rack Project Video Released Today! • A Great Way to Store Bike Helmets (or Coats!)
56:26 Fun Collaborations
57:09 Shoe Talk and Corgi Fest
58:09 Sander Recommendations
01:03:35 Quick Fire Questions
01:04:56 Maker Meetup and ChonkFest
01:06:33 Favorite Paint Colors
01:06:47 Darth wants more ‪@ladiesofleet‬ Content
01:08:12 New Channel Announcement more details coming in the next week
01:10:12 Drumsticks and Drum Clinics
01:12:08 Stand By Me Movie Reference
01:12:40 Final Announcements and Goodbyes

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