© 2001, Gerald L. Findley

CAMP STOOL:

MATERIALS:

3 --- 2 Foot * 2 inch poles

20 --- 1/2 inch diameter sticks (various lengths)

1 --- 3/8 inch * 5 foot rope

1 --- 1/4 inch * 12foot rope

CONSTRUCTION:

STEP 1: Cut a grove 1 inch deep and 3/8 inch wide in each end of the 2 foot poles. Be sure that the groves are in the same direction.

STEP 2: Lash the 2 foot pole together at their centers with the 1/4 inch * 12 foot rope. Use the equal shear tripod lash shown here.

2A] Tie a clove hitch around one of the poles; secure the end by wrapping it around the standing end.

2B] Take 4 wraps around the 3 poles; follow the pattern shown for each wrap.

2C] Take 2 frapping turns behind each pole.

2D] End the lashing with a clove hitch around one of the poles.

2E] Set the tripod up by rotating each leg

STEP 3: Prepare the seat support rope by marking the middle of the 3/8 inch * 5 foot rope by tying a piece of twine around it. Then form a loop that has a 42 inch circumference by temporarily tying the ends of the rope together.

STEP 4: Place the seat support rope in the groves at the top of the poles so that the middle of the rope is in one of the groves. Adjust the ends poles so that they are evenly spaced around the loop.

STEP 5: Add the bracing rope. Tie a bowline into one end of the 1/4 inch * 10 foot rope. Then weave the rope back and forth between the ends of the tripod poles; follow the pattern shown in the diagram. End by tying a slippery half hitch through the eye of the bowline.

STEP 6: Assemble the seat.

6A] Lift one strand of the lay of the seat support rope on either side of the pole that is at the midpoint of the rope loop.

6B] Slide the ends of a 1/2 inch stick under the lifted strands of the seat support rope

6C] Lift the next strand of the lay of the rope on either side of the pole that is at the midpoint of the seat support rope

6C] Insert the next 1/2 inch stick.

[NOTE] To keep the ends of the tripod poles at a equal distance from each other as the seat is being constructed, the temporary knot that joins the two ends of the seat support rope will need to be retied several times.

6E] Continue in this manner until the seat is the desired size.

6F] Permanently join the 2 ends of the rope loop with a short splice.

6G] Trim the ends of the 1/2 inch sticks so that they extend about 2 1/2 inches beyond the rope.

[NOTE] By removing the 1/4 inch brace rope, this stool can be folded for transport and storage.