Making a Rolling Stool

See how Ron Covell makes a low, easy-to-maneuver work stool, that has a built-in storage tray.
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[@jakewoneal]

The attention to the fixture base alone shows what it actually takes to build something right. A beginner would likely hand-hold things and just start welding away for a predictable result, and only after years would learn the patient preparation you're doing here. It's so satisfying to watch mastery in action!

[@RonCovell]

You nailed it! This part is complicated enough that the outcome would be compromised without a fixture.

[@MrEh5]

Preperation is often the longest part of a build. Often bosses don't understand that part.

[@MrMoosefire]

That's exactly what I thought while watching this. A new person would likely "wing it" or cut corners to make the process faster or easier. Which likely wouldn't be in the long run as you're fighting the material or design since everything is crooked. It's fun to watch you work sir. Your experience shines thru as you make it look so easy

[@RonCovell]

I totally agree.

[@ZRace67]

As a fabricator I found this extremely satisfying to watch. Your attention to detail is impeccable.

[@Blondihacks]

That assembly fixture was incredibly well thought out and it shows in the result. Wonderful! I learned so many great techniques from this.

[@RonCovell]

Quinn - thank you so much! I had to scratch my head a bit to figure out how to keep that central tube vertical and centered. I missed your video last weekend - hope everything is OK.

[@merlemasse7882]

@@RonCovell Would like to see you two collaborate again!

[@dc9808]

Your attention to detail with your explanations make all the difference!

[@RonCovell]

I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@joseywales3789]

Ron, a couple of years ago I grabbed a stool out of a Dumpster that was being thrown out by a dentist because it had one broken caster, so I replaced the caster. The seat is very comfortable and more like a saddle but the three legs of the stool are ABS Plastic and don't hold up to welding sparks and it obviously it doesn't have a tool tray. I hope that you don't mind, but I'm going to "Borrow" your design and I've even got a few thoughts on customizing it to fit my needs better. Thanks for your Craftsmanship, you keep me inspired.🤔 😁👍

[@RonCovell]

You are welcome to use any part of my design, and modify it in any way you see fit. Good luck with your project!

[@joseywales3789]

@@RonCovell , Thank You Ron... I'll email you the photos once it's complete. I don't know if I will paint it straight away as I'm already thinking about how I will customize it to better fit my needs and I'm sure that in use, I'll find other things that I'll want to add... the sort of thing that'll never be finished..... In fact I might build it out of stainless? 🤔🤔 Thanks for getting my creative juices flowing 😁👍

[@RonCovell]

You may want to add a cup holder!

[@bartylobethal8089]

Sunday morning coffee, and the calm efficiency and creative intelligence of Ron Covell. A great start to the day.

[@RonCovell]

Hey, glad you liked it!

[@Factory400]

Ron, you are such a gift to society. Sharing hard earned knowledge and wisdom moves society in a positive direction. This is a GREAT skill builder project! Love it all.

[@RonCovell]

Wow, thank you! There is SO much negativity in today's world, and I certainly want to do what I can to help tilt the balance the other way!

[@ruftime]

Thank you Ron! Your vhs videos were instrumental in my early fabrication days. And helped me get a summer internship (which turned into a gap year and a half😎)building lotus 7 replicas in Hagerstown, md. So many incredible fabricators in that area in the 80’s.

[@RonCovell]

Hey, that's so cool!

[@nicolasaudouard8956]

I have to say, there is something to be said for coming home at night after a day of running around and life issues to find a new Ron Covell video on your feed... Haaaaa. and now I'm not stressed any more.

[@RonCovell]

I'm SO glad to hear that!

[@dc9808]

Always cool seeing an artist work!

[@mrthorbear]

You are like the Bob Ross of metalworking, calm, easy to follow instructions, and you are an artist! amazing work!

[@RonCovell]

Thanks for the very kind words!

[@CGT80]

I knew someone else was thinking the same. It is apparent that Ron has made sheet metal parts like that at least one or two other times. If I did it, it would have started with cad and my plasma table, but I don't have the sheet metal tools to make the really nice rounded edges. The computer chair I am sitting in..........well, it was made before computers were in homes and has similar rounded legs, but I media blasted it and did a rust patina and have recovered the upholstery a few times. It was actually brazed together when built, from what I can tell, based on the gold filler (saw it after I blasted it) used for the joints of the steel parts. Great video!

[@RonCovell]

@@CGT80 I can see your stool has received a lot of 'love' over the years. It's funny how we can become so attached to pieces of furniture.

[@darrellbauer2464]

Great content and beautiful work as always Ron. Your methods of teaching and manner and style should be a model for our teacher college courses in this country.

[@Verificador119]

Thank you Ron for shearing your knowledge. Young people must see your videos for growing in a positive direction.God bless you!

[@RonCovell]

I appreciate that!

[@colbydee6828]

This thing has Jetsons written all over it. It’s so cool!

[@RonCovell]

I think you're right!

[@peters5333]

Ron. You have some of the best projects. Incredibly well thought out and detailed. I will say....a bit advanced for me but something to shoot for. I know where the bar is now.

[@RonCovell]

The only way to learn to do this work is to dive in, and work through any problems that come up - just like I did!

[@Des..Perado]

Ron, it's always a pleasure watching you work.

[@RonCovell]

Thank you so much!

[@gofastwclass]

Thanks Ron. I was recently looking for a rolling chair and wasn't happy with anything I found commercially available. Then here you come to the rescue with the right idea - build what I need. You are an inspiration.

[@RonCovell]

Rock on!

[@billmoran3219]

It’s always enjoyable to watch someone with craftsmanship as well as workmanship! The fixture falls under the measure twice cut once mindset, which always leads to a finely finished project. You have a great system of ruling out variables and a subtle way of explaining your projects Ron, thanks for sharing your knowledge 👍🤙✌️

[@RonCovell]

I'm so glad you enjoyed this video!

[@thni1703]

It is so cool to see how to do it right ... I would have half-assed it, just because I wouldn't know - How to do it right. Thanks! :) I really enjoy these videos, without all the drama, there has to be in every tv-show these days. It helps me relax, and unwind.

[@RonCovell]

Thanks - I'll leave the drama to others!

[@pookie_de5852]

Thank you for this video, so much to learn. You are the Bob Ross of sheet metal fabrication! Allways a pleasure to watch! Well spent time, learned a lot!

[@RonCovell]

Wow, thanks!

[@rdm20fan]

What craftsmanship! You are the bar that we shoot for. 😊

[@RonCovell]

Thanks so much!

[@bobolander]

this was a great video sir, the density of information and the way you sped up the repetitive processes made it a pleasure to watch!

[@RonCovell]

Thanks, I'm so glad I learned that trick of speeding up the slow sections - it makes a huge difference!

[@tadamb1]

It's like the New Yankee Workshop, but with metal. And without the accent. Amazing work.

[@RonCovell]

Thanks!

[@jamesa7506]

That is indeed a "cool stool" ! Well done my friend. 👍

[@RonCovell]

Thanks 👍

[@scotts6503]

your template is just as perfect as the finished project. Great workmanship Ron!

[@RonCovell]

Glad you liked it!

[@jasonsutterfield6968]

Mr. Covell, I love your work and your videos. You truly inspire me and you're one of my heroes. What a beautiful piece this is! I will admit, I was hoping you'd weld a ring on the inside of each of those flared holes so each leg would look like it was created from a solid block. Still, the stool turned out amazing!

[@RonCovell]

Wow, thank you!

[@mduvigneaud]

Ron, I love your videos. You always do such a great job of showing and explaining everything and your work is absolutely top notch! You have such a fantastic attention to detail.

[@RonCovell]

I appreciate that!

[@Ccoolbeans101]

Ron! You gotta show us how it looks when you're sitting in it! Always "use" the tool you make at the end of a video! Love your work as always

[@RonCovell]

Yes, in hindsight, that would have made the perfect ending.

[@mattvelardes8072]

It is always a pleasure to see what you have created for us. Thank you

[@RonCovell]

So nice of you!

[@bayoutrapper]

I love the true craftsmanship, and attention to detail.

[@RonCovell]

Thanks so much!

[@terryterry7715]

Congratulations uncle Ron! 🎉 This is a real art!

[@RonCovell]

Thanks so much!

[@user-lm9gs5vt1q]

Ron, I got into fabrication in the heyday of MiniTruckin, circa 1991. I was too poor to pay a shop. I bought a welder and fell in love. Decided night school welding class was the hot ticket. I was always in awe of your work. The fact that you are here on youtube sharing knowledge blows my mind. You said you read all the comments and that really threw me for a loop! You really have some great ideas. I suppose I can copy anything but I never have the cool ideas that guys like you come up with. I guess not everyone can be a Bill Gates or a Jeff Bezos or a Ron Covell. But everyone can appreciate your talents. Good day, sir!

[@RonCovell]

Hey, thanks for chiming in, and I'll bet you have done some great builds over the years!

[@Tignificent]

as a young guy taking up fab as a self taught hobby, having the opprotunity to work under someone to the level of your self would be priceless. very impressive work. cant wait to watch your channel.

[@RonCovell]

I have over 100 videos on KZbin, with more on the way!

[@charlieblanchard4968]

I didn't know I needed to watch a shop stool video until I started watching this video. The layout process and execution of the build were very satisfying to watch. And obviously, the right color (blue) was chosen for the welding stool.

[@RonCovell]

I'm so glad you liked it!

[@adrianthayn3110]

Very beautiful Mr Covell! But I was hoping to see you Glide across the shop floor on your belly upon it😅 I love how you're teaching the world metal work you're awesome and God bless🎉

[@RonCovell]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I thought about doing a 'gliding across the floor' shot at the end, but I've seen several other KZbinrs doing it, and I thought it might seem too 'cliche'. kzbin.info/www/bejne/poi6pX6BqJ6cbtU

[@organomercury1897]

This really reminds me of those long hours in the shop with my own Grandfather, so much knowledge, care, and attention to the small details

[@RonCovell]

Sounds like you two had a wonderful relationship!

[@MrOshirinoana]

Your attention to details is unmatched. Thank you for these videos.

[@RonCovell]

Glad you like them!

[@russtuff]

That's a fun project and a fantastic result. Your videos are always a treat.

[@willostiguy1213]

Just when you think you might have some talent, Ron Covell comes out with another video to bring you back to earth😁

[@RonCovell]

More to come!

[@mikevansickle2735]

A beautiful stool, Mr. Ron! Thanks for sharing it with us!

[@RonCovell]

My pleasure!!

[@59apachestepside]

I can’t it’s been this long since I’ve found your channel on KZbin Ron. I remember watching your TIG welding videos in welding school back in 2010. You’re truly a master metalworker and instructor. Subscribed

[@RonCovell]

Thanks so much, and I'm very glad to have you on-board as a subscriber! I have over 100 videos on KZbin, so you may enjoy watching some of the previous ones.

[@jimrussell1446]

Thanks Ron another masterclass that stool looks fantastic very nice, detailed work

[@RonCovell]

Thank you kindly!

[@matthewpeterson3329]

Thank you, Ron. I really enjoyed this video, and appreciate the patience and skill it took to make such a great product. Honestly, your calm clear instruction was incredibly relaxing... I could listen to you teach us how to bake bread. You just got a new subscriber.

[@RonCovell]

Thanks for subscribing, and I'll think about making a video on baking bread (HAH)!

[@outsidescrewball]

What??…no cell phone and coffee up holder😂😂…❤❤❤thank you for excellent video production/discussion/demonstration/mentoring….so many tips/lessons

[@RonCovell]

I was just about to add holders for my coffee cup and phone. Might be good to have a roll of paper towels on-board, too, and a holder for my bag of jellybeans!

[@ReverendTed]

Super pleasurable to watch, as always!

[@RonCovell]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Ihbinder14]

Thanks Ron for sharing your knowledge, you always come up with a simple way to make a fixture.

[@RonCovell]

Thanks, I have always had a special interest in making useful fixtures - the simpler, the better!

[@ashesman1]

I have been watching metal working videos every day for many years and I have to say that is the best full tutorial I have ever seen. So well spoken and explained and demonstrated. 10 out of 10. Thank you so much.

[@RonCovell]

Wow, thanks!

[@adrianwilliams763]

Beautiful work Ron. You have a unique talent to educate in addition to your work skills. Always love your content

[@RonCovell]

Thank you very much!

[@MurraydeLues]

Just need a quick 3 legged stool. Ends up with something that looks like it was stolen from either Ming the Merciless or Flash Gordon. Beautiful work

[@RonCovell]

Thank you so much!

[@thechumpsbeendumped.7797]

That's a thing of beauty. Thanks for another great video, Ron.

[@RonCovell]

Thanks so much!

[@ZOEng99]

It's always such a great joy to watch and learn from you.

[@RonCovell]

Glad to hear that!

[@sjoemie_himself]

Just a joy to watch you work mr. Covell. You make everything look so easy. I've said it before but there are so many little gold nuggets of information and clever tricks in your videos. Amazing work, easily the best looking rolling stool I've ever seen. Thank you for sharing. Greetings from the Netherlands, Mark

[@RonCovell]

Thanks so much, Mark. I appreciate your interest, and taking the time to comment!

[@sportflyer]

Wow. A simply beautiful, $3000 work of art…

[@RonCovell]

It would probably cost that if I charged my shop rate!

[@chrisbenn8691]

A good thing about stools is they can be easily adapted as a rotating stand for painting wheels. I used an old bar stool when I was doing up a set of wheels for my project.

[@RonCovell]

It pays to be creative!

[@Sugar3Glider]

That die roller was surprisingly smooth in-use

[@RonCovell]

Yes - a lot of people use power bead rollers, which are great - but the old hand-cranked versions can do a good job, too.

[@Joe.Doucette]

Hi Ron, Another wonderfully executed project. Thanks for sharing.

[@RonCovell]

Thanks so much, Joe!

[@ajkolodziejski118]

Awesome project! Loads of techniques that can be applied to any project. I look forward to making one this winter.

[@RonCovell]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@markd6777]

Beautiful Ron, as always. I really like your dimple holes in the legs! I'd love to try this one myself but I think I want the seat adjustable like my "Big Red". Thanks as always for all the inspiration! Mark.

[@RonCovell]

I thought about incorporating a height adjustment in my stool, but I took a simpler approach. No reason why you couldn't put a screw thread on the seat, and a threaded socket on the base.

[@slicedbread9003]

This is an absolutely beautiful design and execution of a low stool. The best ever. Having the cheap ones makes me envy this one. Great job.

[@RonCovell]

Thanks so much!

[@seanalexander9531]

What a work of art! 😍 Thank you so much for talking us through your methods - I definitely learned some things 🙌

[@RonCovell]

I'm so glad you found it interesting!

[@DavidGuyton]

Excellent work as usual!

[@RonCovell]

I appreciate that!

[@paulnagel8161]

Ron always makes amazing projects.

[@RonCovell]

Hey, we aim to please!

[@Leroys_Stuff]

That’s one hell of a chair Ron that’s some nice work

[@RonCovell]

Thanks a million!

[@jonathancoppola8071]

love it, i need a new stool and just got a new massive bead roller so im off building it. Thanks Ron amazing with what you come up with

[@RonCovell]

Rock on!

[@MattLitkeRacing]

You’re videos are always informative and I love the craftsmanship

[@RonCovell]

Glad to hear it!

[@pleun315]

I always enjoy watching your videos, much appreciated Sir Ron 🙏 hi from Holland

[@RonCovell]

Glad you like them! I have toured the Netherlands several times, and met some VERY talented metalworkers there!

[@wyattoneable]

My goodness Ron. What a great result. I'll never master your skills but I have learned a lot from you on how to lay out my work much better.

[@RonCovell]

Keep at it, and I promise you'll get better!

[@gothamantiquities2595]

Hey Ron, is this what we mean by the Made in America !! Because this just looks right and makes people us want to purchase great work from our workforce here in the States! Stay well and great job as always,

[@RobbRudluff]

Great Video. You make the sheet metal work look easy...Thanks for keeping us inspired!

[@RonCovell]

My pleasure!

[@bibcustom]

Well done sir,this really inspired me,I’m gonna make a stool like this when my workshop finished🎉

[@RonCovell]

Go for it!

[@adambergendorff2702]

A lot of great teaching, you are the fixture man!

[@RonCovell]

Thanks so much!

[@torymiddlebrooks]

I LOVE a little Covell special! Art pieces are great but showing how to make a practical and functional piece that's got artistic expression is my favorite part of this channel.

[@RonCovell]

I really appreciate your comments!

[@anthonyseiver7000]

I like your approach to design and attention to detail, not just with the object but also fixtures. Avoiding tear-out in a plywood base is something no one ever thinks about when making jigs or fixtures but of course tear out will make the hole less precise when it matters most. This has been my favourite project of yours as I built a stool for my woodworking bench. I used your approach to fixtures and it gave me excellent results. In fact a few times in that build I stopped and ask myself, 'what would Ron do?' Or 'how would Ron have done it?'. Thanks for not just teaching but changing mindsets when it comes to fabrication.

[@RonCovell]

Thanks so much. Everyone has their own way of working, and I'm very pleased that many people seem to enjoy learning my thought processes.

[@clintonbutton712]

Great workmanship. Very enjoyable to watch

[@RonCovell]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@0815Racing]

Realy amazing how it turned out, love to see your work and realy like how you explain every little detail, Greetings from Germany

[@RonCovell]

Thank you very much!

[@brianbuckle2635]

Very nice Mr Covell. You sure make it look easy!

[@RonCovell]

It is easy, once you learn how!

[@rafalrafal8103]

Hello Ron! as always, you are great at what you do!

[@RonCovell]

Hey, thanks!

[@RR-mt2wp]

Ron, to make a tool stool into a piece of art, great stuff.

[@RonCovell]

What a wonderful comment!

[@RR-mt2wp]

@@RonCovell thank you for uploading these fantastic videos bud.

[@MoreBollocks-ui2zs]

Love the stool. Always a pleasure to watch your work Ron.

[@RonCovell]

Thanks for watching

[@CrazyCat229]

You have to have weight-saving holes in stools. It's required for all car guys everywhere! Love your work. I had a hot rod fabrication class at a college I attended back about 10 years ago and the teacher showed us several of your videos.

[@RonCovell]

Yeah 'speed' holes make everything cool!

[@brianmcgill7314]

This is the 2nd best video next to the dust pan😉❤

[@RonCovell]

Yeah - it took THREE videos to make the dust pan. This stool is an easier project, indeed!

[@kandkmotorsports]

How nice to be able to fabricate with sheet metal! Light and strong. Looks better than something fashioned out of bar stock. Thanks for sharing Ron, fantastic workmanship!

[@RonCovell]

Glad you like it!

[@jefftheaussie2225]

Another work of art from the master.

[@RonCovell]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@opendstudio7141]

It’s alway a pleasure and enlightening to be exposed to a craftsman with highly honed skills and able to layout a process and explain coherently each step. Such a video requires careful planning and execution. Thank you for being meticulous on details.

[@RonCovell]

Thank you very much!

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Very nice design and function. Love it Ron. Thanks for sharing.

[@RonCovell]

Thanks, so much, Randy!

[@cedricpieterse7280]

I love your videos! As a 53 year old that has spent most my time in machine shops, and have been lucky to have been taught by older guys, including my dad who worked as a Millright all his life, it's always nice to see someone who does things the old fashioned way.without CAD and CNC tools. I personally think that your welds look really good, and that you should not blend them. But that's obviously very subjective and a personal viewpoint. I like to see nice welds.

[@RonCovell]

Thank you very much!

[@danbreyfogle8486]

That is a great design, I really like the rounded edges on the holes as well as the rounded caps on the legs.

[@RonCovell]

Thank you very much!

[@smayjr72]

Such a soothing and chill voice coupled with a skilled craftsman that also has great teaching ability. Trifecta!

[@RonCovell]

Wow - thanks so much!

[@Chevelle_addict]

Thank you for showing an amazing process, and giving great detail with tricks to help us average Joe's.

[@RonCovell]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rjung_ch]

I may have to try to build one of those Ron. Thank you 👍💪✌

[@RonCovell]

I hope you do!

[@doubleq1223]

This was such a nice video to watch! Thank you! I very much enjoyed your attention to detail on every aspect. The legs alone were such a beautiful piece.

[@RonCovell]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@joewolf4483]

Definately a cool stool ... really enjoy your videos ...

[@RonCovell]

Glad you like them!

[@LRD300TDi]

Magnificent job... As always😊 Best regards from Poland

[@RonCovell]

Thank you very much!

[@onlypremiumlife]

What a pleasure watching a master fabricator at work! Beautiful job!

[@RonCovell]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@terryjongen7299]

That was worth the 25 minutes. Watching Ron in action you learn where craft and art merge.

[@RonCovell]

What a lovely comment!

[@comictrio]

That is an awesome stool. Really like the support beams with the holes in them. Great work.

[@RonCovell]

Thank you very much!

[@joaquinsablan5406]

You make every step easy to follow Thank you for that!

[@RonCovell]

You're very welcome!

[@GE-tv1is]

Your metal working skills are amazing Ron.

[@RonCovell]

Thank you kindly

[@TimWelds]

Amazing work! I always learn something new from each of your videos.

[@RonCovell]

Awesome, thank you!

[@leopan723]

Pretty cool stool for studio photography👍🏻

[@RonCovell]

Yes, it would be!

[@joell439]

Wow, now that’s a great looking and very practical stool. Thanks Ron for the inspiration and all the technique demonstrations on how to build a beautiful stool for my shop. 👍👍😎👍👍

[@RonCovell]

Thanks for watching!