How to Shorten Wooden Bar Stool Legs

  • 1-2 hours
  • Beginner
  • 50-125
What You'll Need
Bar stool
Flat work surface
2x4 pieces of wood
2 - 1x1 pieces of wood
Nails, screws or clamps
Hand saw
What You'll Need
Bar stool
Flat work surface
2x4 pieces of wood
2 - 1x1 pieces of wood
Nails, screws or clamps
Hand saw

What can you do if you purchase a wooden bar stool and the legs are too long for the counter, bar or table where you want to put it? It is possible to create a template and trim the legs of the wooden bar stool to the height that you need. You do not have to live with the legs being too long or pay someone else to fix the stool for you.

The following steps assume that you need to trim 1 inch off of each leg. If you need to trim more than 1 inch, you should exchange the 1 inch x 1 inch pieces of wood for pieces that match the amount you need to trim off. You will want to ensure that the pieces are the same as the amount you want to trim since you will use these pieces as your guide. The use of this method will be effective with legs of any shape that are cut at any taper.

Step 1 – Create Template

Begin by putting a piece of a 2x4 on the flat work surface. You can utilize the top of your table saw for this, or use a board on the floor. You can nail it in place, or use a clamp if you are using the top of your table saw, or even a screw if you prefer.

Step 2 – Measure

Measure the length that you will need to trim off each leg. Put two of the 1x1 pieces of wood perpendicular to the 2x4. Be sure to leave enough space in between the 1x1 pieces so that the leg of the stool can sit snugly in the space between the 1x1 and the 2x 4 pieces. For added security, you may want to use a pencil and draw a line on the wooden bar stool legs before you begin cutting.

Step 3 – Cut

Place the stool so that the leg rests in the groove. Now you are ready to cut the excess off, using the inside section of the 1x1 pieces as your guide. Using your hand saw, cut the excess leg off. If you marked the bar stool legs with a pencil, carefully follow the pencil line. Follow steps 1 through 3 for each leg on the wooden bar stool.

Step 4 – Finish

If there is a little bit of a wobble after you have finished cutting the legs, a quick touch up with a belt sander will remedy the problem.

Extra Tip

If the wooden bar stool you are working with has thick legs, use a 2x2 or larger for your braces. Make sure they are taller than the legs so that you can use them to guide before you begin cutting.