DIY Spool Coffee Table - Easy Rustic

Don't even THINK about looking for cable reel coffee tables for sale on Etsy. This 20-minute homemade table is so easy with a little bit of prep and some hairpin legs! You don't need any skills or many power tools!

You might enjoy reading How to Upcycle a Cable Reel into a Picnic Bench Table.

What Cable Drum Can I Use?

For a solid DIY wire spool coffee table, I recommend buying one that's made of solid wood, which is usually pine.

I don't recommend plywood ones, which are flimsier and much thinner, which could cause an issue when screwing on your legs.

Either way, this tutorial will work as a small coffee table or large. And tall or short ones, obviously depending on what hairpin legs you buy. Side note, table legs from IKEA will work too!

Tools & Materials I Used for a DIY Wood Spool Coffee Table

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• 1 cable reel (small or large)
• Hand saw
• Hack saw
• Sander
• Or sandpaper and a sanding block
• Or an orbital sander
• Wood stain
• Varnish (if desired)
• Combi drill

How to Break Down a Cable reel

You might think dismantling a cable reel is as easy as unscrewing some nuts and bolts. WRONG!

Due to them being heavy duty, you'll often find they've been spot welded. So the easiest way I found was to hand saw on one side and take out the slats one by one.

Hold these Slats back for another project!

Guess what? We don't need these slats, but I'm sure you can find something to make in my list of 50 scrap wood projects to improve your home!

Cutting Rods inside Electrical Cable Drums

The next step as part of your DIY cable spool coffee table is to cut the metal rods that give them strength.

I used a hacksaw, which is by far the slowest way to do it, but it's the cheapest.

Alternatively, you could wear some PPE and cut up with an angle grinder!

Prepping Your Wooden Cable Reel Coffee Table Tops

The next thing you'll need to do is:

• Remove any protruding pieces of wood
• Pry any metal hardware with a hammer or blunt chisel
• Hammer in any protruding nails
• Sand the entire piece - as much as you wish*

Sanding isn't my favourite past time, but asides from sandpaper and a block, I'd recommend speeding things up with a belt sander on an angle for an even surface as seen here.

Or, you could use an orbital sander or ebrasive pads in an angle grinder. But I don't recommend a plane, because you're likely chip or blunt the blade!

What Finish Should I Use for my Spool Coffee Table DIY?

The first thing you need to ask yourself is, do you want an outdoor coffee table or one for your living room?

If it's a garden coffee table, then I'd consider finishing with a coloured wood preserve that you can top simply with a brush once every so many years (as per instructions).

For indoors, another simple method is clear or dark waxing it using a lint free cloth. Or, just stain, leave to dry, then varnish. Whatever you prefer!

Screwing Hairpin Legs

I love how hairpin legs are quick and easy for an industrial coffee table edge. You could use long or short ones. Or even castor wheels, may I add and add a cushion on top for an ottoman, dog bed... and so much more!

Above, I attached mine with just an impact driver. But if you're screwing it close to any edges of wood, then I recommend pre-drilling pilot holes to avoid splitting.

You could opt for coloured hairpin legs for contrast or spray paint them as featured in my DIY console table.

More Cable Reel Coffee Table Ideas

I love how there's so many cable reel table ideas you can consider. Here's just a few that come to mind.

• Obviously, turn it into a cable reel patio set
• Make a cable reel clock or wall art
• Use one as a lazy susan on a garden table (as seen in my picnic bench)
• Cut into half circles and add 2 hairpin legs where it sits against a wall
• And more I haven't tried yet, but plan to 😊

And the beauty is, you won't just end up with one DIY Spool Coffee Table coffee table, you could make 2 out of it!

How to Build a Quick Cable Drum Table

More Table Projects You Might Like to Make

• Quick and easy coffee table inspired by IKEA
• DIY side table
• Upcycling a table into a DIY board game
• DIY console table with hairpin legs
• How to restore an oak table easily
• Turn a table into a DIY board game