I was commissioned to transform seven brute logs into sleek rolling stools for a new bar in central Montréal.
This was a fun project because it allowed me to work with some really heavy pieces of wood, challenging me to use some new tools like the chainsaw and the 18" drill bit. I also got pretty good at chiseling out nice cavities in order to recess the 28 rotating casters.
The founder of KafeÏn café bar, near Concordia University in downtown Montréal, hired me to convert these log stumps into discreetly-rolling log stools for the concrete floor of the bar's lower level.
Roughly sawn logs first need parallel level sides to become comfortable stools.
I started by chainsawing both ends of each log to give them good vertical forms. I then scraped all the loose bark free, and sanded all of their surfaces smooth.
Seven brute log stools, ready to be transformed into subtly rolling bar seating.
Placement of each stool's four rotating casters was intended to ensure stability while minimising the chance that the outer base of the log would break.
To embed the casters, I used a forstner bit to the right depth multiple times for each cavity.
Using chisels to finish out each circular cavity, the recessed casters could be installed.
The seven rolling log stools, set up around the coffee table in my living room atelier.
The stools are ready to roll, but are still far from finished.
Each log stool gets several coats of varnish to bring out their grain, while I use an 18" drill bit to drive two vertical shafts through each one.
Each log has two threaded bolts of the right length to facilitate bolting the seats from beneath.
The seven rolling log stools with their individual seat tops attached. The client took delivery of the stools like this, and did the upholstering himeself to match the rest of the bar.
