The One-legged Stool - My Favorite Farm Tool

[@burgeryoufoundbehindthegrill]

"You're about as useless as a one-legged stool" doesn't sound the same after this video

[@farmhandscompanion]

Just switch to "useless as a tit on a boar hog" and you can keep on goin'.

[@matthaft2048]

“Screen door on a submarine” is another great one 😅

[@Demopans5990]

Or thanks to recent days, Useless as Boeing is at airplanes

[@poober8826]

Squat while you're young people, don't bend over, don't kneel, stretch daily. Having said that this looks cool too

[@NickCombs]

I'm laying pavers for a patio and being careful, but still hurt my back. It's not fully avoidable with technique if the work has heavy lifting.

[@abaddon2148]

@@NickCombs That's why you focus on strengthening the muscles being worked, especially those in the core and lower back

[@NickCombs]

Yeah I was in good shape, but mostly cardio. Shoulda done more sit-ups, but I hate doing those.

[@ItchyKneeSon]

It doesn't help that our world is designed around the luxury of 'sitting'. Even 'dropping the kids off at the pool' is luxurious, yet not natural if you're sitting. The 'Asian squat' is much more natural. Using squatter toilets takes some getting used to, but actually is more natural, and just works better. I grew to prefer the squatter toilets while teaching in Asia.

[@thecanuckredcoat4142]

Helping raise a 4 year old (not my own) i've made a point since he was born to squat around him (even though I don't do it well) so that he'll keep the habit.

[@jerichofalls8236]

Cosplaying as a bumblebee

[@rochrich1223]

I think it was Queen Victoria had a one-legged-stool installed under her hoop skirts. (certainly some British Queen) It helped quite a bit while standing in a greeting line. A little more dignified than picking beans, but the same concept.

[@farmhandscompanion]

That's a nifty bit of history!

[@Notforyou201]

Don't accidentally sit on it while its upside down 😅

[@Solid_Jackson]

This seems really shakey history 😂 As a historian by trade I’m pretty sure this might be hearsay But where did you even get this from? I specialise in Victorian Britain and never heard this

[@bruceherin5729]

My dad milked cows as a boy using a one legged stool.

[@kalka1l]

@@Solid_JacksonI suspect it’s either related to Ivy Baldwin’s under bustle stool seat patent from December 1886 or perhaps something similar to the devices manufactured by the Presto Chair-Cane Company. I have an antique chair-cane myself and it’s fantastic for lawn events as it had a handy sod spike for a tip. I also agree, the attribution to Queen Victoria is surely fiction.

[@turdferguson2982]

Shit, I've been using it upside down!

[@SorobanWorld]

Ah. You are from Texas or Florida.

[@scotty2tone]

@@SorobanWorldI thought he was from your neck of the woods

[@georgewuzheer]

you must not have a doghouse

[@Hiiiiii74]

​@@georgewuzheer You must be from the University of Science, fella.

[@TheUnhousedWanderer]

Hot

[@somatder]

Here in Denmark the tradesmen laying pavement use this instead of kneeling down all day long, it however has a wooden ball at the end so it doesn't sink into the ground and provides more range of motion so you can reach longer from your position. I have considered making one for myself, and with your great instruction with emphasis on the design and important details it's hard to come up with an excuse

[@deanframe9095]

Strongly agreed!

[@debralegge-mc8fg]

Love the idea of a ball type base to the leg, and using it indoors for low level work. Thanks

[@MicraHakkinen]

For garden work I prefer to make a cut in a tennisball and stick that on the end of the leg. This prevents the leg from sinking into the ground. I also think it provides more grip on a paved surface than a hard smooth wooden ball would though I have not tried the latter.

[@hickory654]

What is it called? I'd love to see this!

[@ganondalf8090]

pavement as in bricks? In the US at least, we do all the asphalt stuff standing up and using rakes, lutes, etc, and heavy machinery. And with bricks, for my crew at least, you have to be leaning over on your butt so you can ace the alignment- if you lay just one brick too high or too low, it compounds and by the time you're at the other side you're several inches off.

[@brokendad2222]

Grew up in the 1960s and knew it as a milking stool. There was one in the barn at almost every place that had a milk cow.

[@582tird]

Milking stool, is what we always call them. Quick and easy to move down the stalls.

[@OrganicGreens]

Im only 30 but got bad knees. This will be a great help in the garden

[@m.i.c.h.o]

Try mobility exercises!

[@OrganicGreens]

@@m.i.c.h.o Old injury's. I used to skateboard as a kid. My knees right hip and my shoulders are shot.

[@m.i.c.h.o]

@@OrganicGreens that’s unfortunate. I could be wrong of course, but I think that you can still improve 😀

[@atomicsmith]

Look up kneesovertoesguy. He came back from knee surgery to very high performance.

[@Demopans5990]

I'm 23 and I already suspect my knees are shot. Not as bad as older folks, but enough that I should be careful.

[@Notforyou201]

Part of the save a back foundation lol

[@OutsideTheTargetDemographic]

Nifty concept. We just put in a 1700 sqft garden, so I guess it's time to make the wife a OLS to work on. 👍

[@farmhandscompanion]

She'll love you for it.

[@D100112]

its very nice to see this again. I remember one legged stools being here in the Netherlands used by farmers milking cows by hand. I know i've seen one with belts but a lot would be with a handle at the side of the seat and you would hold it under you before sitting down

[@nikkireigns]

My step dad needs one for milking cows! I know for a fact he’d never wear it but would be a fun birthday gift 😂 I’m a bit younger and more flexible and have been practicing the “Asian squat” to do things down low.

[@cleonanderson1722]

Fun and practical math tangent -- If you have a wobbly table or stool with four legs, rotate it until the wobble is gone. It will always work.

[@foogriffy]

now my dining table is at 52.7 degrees angle to the walls what next

[@cleonanderson1722]

@@foogriffy Round the corners.

[@deadfishyarou]

If you will allow me some pedantry: It will always work *with a sufficiently smoothly-varying floor

[@cleonanderson1722]

@@deadfishyarou thanks, i'll take your word for it -- I was never one for math in school settings even though I always found it theoretically compelling. I always hated solving problems out of textbooks and thought that's all math was until I after I finished with school.

[@HistoricaHungarica]

My table has 2 16 inch legs and 2 15 inch ones. The floor is as flat as it can be. How do i rotate the table? :]

[@petessmallfarmandhomestead]

If that broke that could be a pain in the butt!

[@grigoriyefimovichrasputin7897]

Yeah hehe that's why you don't drill all the way through.

[@J3rs3yM1k3]

Yep. I would recommend just gluing the leg in place. The only thing worse than the leg hitting you in the butt, is the leg with a screw in it hitting you in the butt.

[@DH-.]

A rooster foot shape at the end would look cool

[@sonniepronounceds-au-ni9287]

That would be quite the sight walking around with it strapped to the rear. You'd go from looking like you had a stick up the butt to having a whole rooster.

[@TheNotoriousBTG]

I only somewhat understand why the algorithm suggested this video to me. That being said, it was definitely a great suggestion.

[@TFOTLITBOK_P1_7]

If you work a lot in soft soil, a pipe threaded on both ends with a pipe flange secured to each end, one screwed into the underside of the seat and one simply threaded into the pipe end will provide a larger footprint and not sink into the ground as much. An additional feature is that the stool can be flipped over and the bottom flange used to support a work piece while working out in the field. The holes in the flange work good for straightening nails and such also. Probably many more uses.

[@BCVS777]

Good ideas!

[@My_trashtalking_account]

You're making me feel very young. And I was born in the early 80s.

[@BinaryJoe]

My immediate thoughts are to replace the wooden seat with something like a molded fiberglass or wide saddle type bike seat, the latter would be likely found on a kid's tricycle; attach the belt so that the seat hangs off of it and the belt can be strapped to the actual waist. And put a rubber foot from a cane or crutches. I guess my point is that it's a fantastic idea and can be built to custom needs with found items as well. 👍

[@DSWoodworkUSA]

screws and washers, i knew i liked you. Thanks for the great videos. Some of the most "basic" ideas and techniques are so hard to come by these days, with the internet so congested and with everyone having the means and confidence to shout out whatever thought comes to mind. I can see the obvious positives and necessity for such freedom, but one can not deny it makes for a dense forest to sift through. Your videos make me feel like I'm working smarter and not harder, while still getting the job done well, timely, and in a much more satisfying way. Thank you, Sir.

[@caminodantoo]

Charcoal burners used to use these. They could sit down and keep watch on the kilns, by woe be tide if they went to sleep….

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Got too many years under my belt , hurts just thinking about trying one of those stools again. Did enjoy your video though and it did have it's purpose for the younger folks to save wear on their backs. Stay safe and keep up the fun around there. Fred.

[@farmhandscompanion]

Thank you, Fred; I hope you're doin' well this summer!

[@wyatt5542]

as a heavy weight im wondering if i should put like a tennis ball or something on the leg to keep myself from planting that stool like a fence post.

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

Maybe a square piece of thin metal?❤️🐝🤗

[@Kyle-nm1kh]

Increase surface area, such as a sheet of metal. Or wood. But round it, like a slight bowl shape so it retains its function as a single point

[@carsonaswell2809]

Make a V shape instead of just one pole

[@blakebrady9002]

Another comment said that brick layers had a large wood ball at the end to keep them from sinking

[@DerusGrindz]

Take a tennis ball, cut a hole in it, then fill the ball with quickcrete or anything similar. Drill a screw through the side of the pole. Not far from the bottom. Shove that ball of quickcrete onto the pole over the nail and let it harden. Cut away the tennis ball and your Gucci. Will be a little heavier, but it'll serve the purpose easily.

[@MariaJoseGuzman-qg2un]

Wow im glad KZbin recommended me this. I've been struggling as a new gardener and this will come in so handy

[@POTATOEMPN]

Saw a video of some Chinese grandpa using a wire saw to make a foldable version of this all in one piece. It's crazy. This? Aggressively American. Simple yet somehow so elegant.

[@dadawesome784]

It’s more of a kickstand for the backside.

[@johnreno9418]

If anyone but Pa Mac would've told me about a one-leggedt stool...

[@farmhandscompanion]

I know. It's a little silly lookin' like a 6 foot bumblebee with no wings and overalls. But I'm usually pickin' beans by myself anyway.

[@user-ch6um1vn8x]

Lol.. Nice strap on Pa Mac. I guess the fruity farmers will find multiple uses for this thing.

[@lorishirron7326]

Gary I did not know about the one legged stool! I sure needed it too thos past week. Brian ( Hendrix) planted purple hull peas to sell on daddy's land so I've been helping him pick for the produce stand. This will be useful for next year. 😊

[@farmhandscompanion]

Shoot. You coulda borrowed mine! I'll have to drive by and look at Brian's peas. Hope yall are doin' well.

[@drivethelightning]

Seeing you screw that screw in by hand brought back flashbacks of helping my grandpa.

[@WorBlux]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="600">10:00</a> - Instead of a shoulder use a taper. A shoulder provides leverage for the point to pull itself apart the second anything comes lose. If you have a gradual taper the second the joint is lose it slides further onto the taper and wedges itself back firm.

[@frederickheard2022]

Looks great for planting bulbs, too 😂

[@ZNA_Productions]

If you pass the dowl a few inches through the board you won't need the belt 👍

[@batya7]

So interesting. This city gal never thought about something like this, but it makes so much sense!

[@neilbradley9035]

ive got one! usually use it upside down though!

[@ZSchrink]

I've never seen or heard of these; I love it!

[@viccw2366]

Sounds like a great idea! Makes me want to try it. I am still fairly young but my back hurts when I work in the garden. Great video as always, thanks a lot from France!

[@donalsakran1971]

Be careful if you are going to use screws. There’s a lot more shear or tensile forces on a one legged stool than compressive forces. A forged nail would perform better than a screw under tension. Better yet… just like u mention, a through tenon with a wedge (and a generous amount of glue) would beat them all. Thanks for sharing. God bless

[@rawbacon]

I have muck soil, that one leg would go about 2/3 into the soil. I'd have to put a foot on that leg.

[@frederickheard2022]

With an old boot! 😂

[@ThePorpoisepower]

I've been contemplating something like this while fly fishing...

[@frederickheard2022]

You need a shooting stick!

[@Odinarcade00]

I think this would be perfect for electrical work at times. Never saw anyone use it though. Not surprised 😂

[@Evan_Meyer]

Pa Mac, you've earned yourself a new subscriber. I love your style, sir. You are precisely what I personally and the rest of the country need right about now.

[@Don.Challenger]

You might be able to double team this one legged seat/stool together with a set of knee pads, if the leg is proportionate enough (might not work for every ones body configuration) and the leg might actually help you rise up from your knees. The seat for low work and the knee pads for longer reach and shifting heavier items down low (think laying tiles, shifting patio pavers or lower fence work).

[@minamur]

you can also use the seat on your chest to free both your hands in certain positions

[@alicialacroix]

I don't even farm or even have a garden and I want one of these after watching this. Great video!

[@user-ch6um1vn8x]

Holy moly Pa mac.. I'm glad that stool was facing the right direction before you sat down at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="110">1:50</a>..

[@VoidHalo]

I love it! I've seen lots of 3 legged stools, I think milkmaids used them. But this is just elegant and simple, but as functional as a tool gets.

[@VocalMabiMaple]

If you're not just using it in dirt, it might be a good idea to add a rubber stopper on the end. Make it slip resistant. If you wanna oogie boogie with it, you can make it slippery by adding a tennis ball on the end instead.

[@jero37]

I could see this being very useful for shade tree home mechanic stuff, I suppose as a farmer that's considered a given.

[@richardvaldes3959]

"Never in all my years would I have considered this. " - city boy

[@JustAnotherNamelessGuy]

Nah I’ll just use something called a chair -me a so called city boi

[@tsm688]

strapping instruments to your ass does look kind of stupid, but as someone with flat feet I have wished it looked less stupid

[@alinorafoster]

Just like the one-legged stool (favorite tool to farm while sittin') Ooh! baby Ooh! baby Ooooooh

[@TahtahmesDiary]

Loved the pic of you with the cow. As you spoke of protecting the milk, I noticed the cat in the milk pail. Gave me a good chuckle ❤

[@yugimuto9763]

Hey! My mom has one of those except she wears in backwards!

[@sustomusickillsyoutube]

What a great invention 😂❤

[@kurero1431]

three legged stools are the best. but with the one legged stool, you yourself can become a three legged stool !

[@timmyg316]

My friends mom has one!

[@saneauto]

Mine is a little different. Youve inspired me to make a video about it.

[@allmorrisvideos]

Iwatched and enjoyed the whole video. Read and enjoyed most of the comments. I still cant tell if its serious.

[@tonythetourist2025]

An effective addition to a kickstand is base that spreads out. If you add a base to the post, it will be more effective and comfortable.

[@gbyjrjn]

Why not use a cross on the bottom part as a bar stool? For stability on soft ground and in general too. Could do the foldable one too. Cool belt construction!

[@farmhandscompanion]

Don't see why that wouldn't work just fine, gbyjrjn!

[@royevans7793]

I've got one similar that I bought from Lehmans General Store, that has a round knob on the end to keep it from sinking into the ground. Possibly nailing/screwing a short board onto the bottom would work the same.

[@00TheD]

A farmers tail!

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

All of your videos that I have watched are always so helpful and practical I'm surprised you don't have 10 times more subscribers I'm sure you will eventually though thanks again for making and sharing by the way I don't farm and I doubt I would ever need A1 legged stool but you made the video very interesting to watch

[@jakobrebeki]

Bit of an art sitting on one of these....

[@rifraf262]

Hands-free and it also looks cool!

[@tonythetourist2025]

I wonder if people are seeing your genius comedy? Very subtle, off the radar, but very effective. Sorry, radar was before your time.

[@stephencozzi5890]

Pa Mac love the one legged stool can't Waite to try making one & put it to use thanks love the show Stephen

[@paintbrush3554]

So glad I got recommended this channel. Subbed

[@bretdavisdmd]

Jo heard you say in the background, ‘this is my favorite farm tool, the one-legged stool.’ She said, ‘mine is the onion hoe’. I told her I’d tell Gary. See you in October for the festival!

[@farmhandscompanion]

I sure hope yall are doin' well! Look forward to seein' you this fall. Tell Jo "Hey!"

[@douglasvantassel8098]

Great episode, thanks for making these.

[@user-un5xj1wl6p]

I saw a german trench shovel used as one, let's say it was used over a snall hole dug for yeaaah...

[@liviuursegr]

just wait till you have to work early in the morning after it rained all night and the soil is moist/wet. either put a wider foot on it or be ready to go 5 in. deep.

[@dukkieb]

I’ve thought about making one of these with a telescoping leg. Then it has an adjustable height and is compact. I could store it in my car and take it with me on hikes.

[@elizabethjohnson475]

This was great, PaMac! Still, it's a quandry for my body. Thing is, I do need to be near the ground for weeding, but using a stool, even a one-legged bends my knees way too much. I wind up sitting on the ground. I wished I didn't have to, and it's still hard to get up.

[@shelleypilcher3812]

Great idea. Wish you had shown better how to install that underside piece for us who are not wood savvy.😊

[@yameshraberts3652]

great stuff

[@Vince-ml9gw]

The rhymes are well done. Gonna build me a one. ✌️

[@halfling49]

Charcoal burners use this, because "nodding off" would mean you might burn half the forest down, and more importantly lose out on your income when the charcoal is all cinders

[@GypsyBrokenwings]

That's what I need for when i take the goats for a foraging walk!

[@ronniekeates3349]

"Use a wood that's split-resistant" Black Locust it is then ...

[@gregkocher5352]

I've milked cows using a one legged stool. You REALLY want to make sure the seat dosen't slpit when you're on it. Lol.

[@deanframe9095]

Your a genius!

[@fosty.]

Yep, at the ripe old age of 33 I think I need me one of these.

[@Teacherofall]

Thank you for the information. Well done sir

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

I could use one of those...thanks Pa!

[@micahrobbins8353]

My wife has somethin like that we use in our raised bed

[@InvaliDidea123]

On the peg leg, I wouldnt use any iron in securing it. If drilled in to measure I'd use a split end and a wedge. If you wanna have one hell of a trip i suggest you look in to trad japanese jointing. You may or may not thank me later.

[@stephenrice4554]

Excellent idea Pa Mac . I'm giving it a try .

[@oleksii3923]

If you turn it upside down it will be a lot more steady on rough soil

[@hamnchee]

Mine doesn’t have that flat part.

[@bubblesculptor]

Should make the leg from a pogo-stick. Bounce around wherever you're working

[@kolmo3182]

Called the wood push pin now a days

[@gretafields4706]

Milking stool!!!😃 My grandma used one to milk.

[@gretafields4706]

You would lean your forehead on the cow's flank. The cows were loose in a straight stall, eating some food while being milked. They did not fidget. Their heads were not in a head lock. I guess they were just old and used to a routine.

[@marketteers]

It’s very different when you reverse the peg. That would make it a true stool

[@Thoroughly_Wet]

Wouldn't want to put that on backwards

[@theandrogynousmisogynist]

I thought you were gonna flip it upside down lmfao

[@willchoate7072]

I'm 300 pounds. On the ground I'd sink all the way to ground level... LOL

[@LitoGeorge]

Me too! I would put a "foot" of some kind on the end. Great idea, but at my weight, I will just be making seedling holes wherever I rest.

[@dukkieb]

A wooden lamp base or a 3x3 post could be used. KZbin search for ‘one leg stool’.

[@bondee5865]

This is a handy; mine would have to have at least three legs for my own health insurance .. . Also a cushion 🙋🏼‍♀️

[@artfx9]

Used the chair wrong once (upside down), never going to use it again.

[@InvaliDidea123]

My OCD kicks in seeing the stool peg is a peg witdh from the center.