How to Build Stilts

By: Alexandra Bandon, This Old House television

Shopping List

Supplies You Will Need

1. 12 feet of 1½-inch diameter pine handrail
(round on one side, flat on the other)

2. 3 feet of 1x8 poplar

3. Wood glue

4. 3d nails

5. 2-inch deck screws

6. 1¼-inch deck screws

7. Four ¼ x 3½-inch carriage bolts
with fender washers, lock washers and wingnuts

8. 120-grit sandpaper

9. One pair of 1½-inch rubber feet (sometimes used for furniture or canes)

Close
Tools List
Tools You Will Need
- Circular saw or jigsaw
- Hammer
- Drill/driver fitted with #6 countersink bit and 5/16-inch drill bit
- Random-orbit sander
- Tape measure
- Straightedge
Close

Photo: This Old House television

Introduction
Overview
Steps:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11

1. Lay out the pieces

Using a tape measure and straightedge, lay out the treads and supports on the poplar 1x8. You will need four support pieces and two treads. Along the middle of two of the support pieces, make one mark 1 inch from the top edge and another mark exactly 4 inches from the first one. Measure carefully—later you will drill holes here for the bolts that attach the supports to the poles.