Projects

In this project, I built a DIY oil drum table using a reclaimed 55-gallon Mobil barrel and a wooden cable spool. What started as a couple of scrap pieces turned into a solid industrial-style table that works great for a deck, shop, or garage. Combining a cable spool table top with a steel drum base creates a unique piece of upcycled barrel furniture that’s both durable and functional. If you’ve ever thought about building a 55 gallon drum table or tackling a barrel table DIY project, this is a simple place to start. The Finished Table Here’s the finished table after mounting the cable spool top to the 55-gallon oil drum. For this build, I used a Mobil synthetic lubricant drum, which adds to the industrial look. Instead of repainting it, I kept the original finish to preserve that authentic feel. The wood cable spool top pairs nicely with the barrel, and the round glass piece on top gives the table a smooth, finished surface while protecting the wood underneath. Materials Used How I Built a DIY Oil Drum Table Disassembling the Cable Spool The cable spool I picked up had three square-shaped nuts holding the bolts in place. After removing those nuts, the spool completely disassembled, making it easy to separate the top piece that would be used as the tabletop. Measuring and Centering the Barrel Next, I measured the diameter of both the barrel and the spool top to figure out the correct positioning. Once I had the center point, I flipped the spool top over and drew a circle on the underside to mark where the barrel would sit. This made it much easier to align everything correctly before drilling. Marking and Drilling the Barrel Using the existing holes in the spool, I marked three hole locations onto the barrel. After marking those positions, I drilled through the barrel to create mounting points. Because drilling metal can create sparks and heat, it’s important to make sure the barrel is completely clean and free of any oil residue before doing this step. Installing Threaded Inserts To secure the tabletop, I installed threaded nut inserts directly into the barrel. This allowed the bolts to thread into the barrel without needing access to the inside, making the assembly much cleaner and easier. Mounting the Cable Spool Table Top With the inserts installed, I used three 3-inch stainless steel ¼-20 bolts to secure the spool top to the barrel. Once tightened down, the oil drum table felt very solid with no wobble. Using a steel drum as the base gives this industrial table DIY project a lot of stability compared to lighter builds. Adding the Glass Top The cable spool already came with a round glass top, which I placed over the wood surface. This gives the cable spool table a smoother finish while protecting the wood from wear. Finishing the Industrial Barrel Table At this stage, the 55 gallon drum table was complete and ready to use. The spool had already been stained when I bought it, but I may sand it down and apply a fresh coat of Varathane in the future. I also plan to spray a clear coat onto the barrel to preserve the original finish and prevent rust while keeping the industrial look intact. Why Cable Spools and Oil Drums Work So Well Cable spools are great for DIY furniture because they already provide a solid, round tabletop made from thick wood. Pairing one with a steel drum creates a strong base, making this type of upcycled barrel furniture both sturdy and unique. What Should I Build With My Next Barrel? I still have one more 55-gallon drum and haven’t decided what to build with it yet. Some ideas I’m considering: If you have ideas for projects using a 55-gallon drum, leave them in the comments below.

Here’s an upcoming project we’ll be working on, a DIY foosball table with some recycled parts. I was dropping off my daughter to a birthday party at a friend’s house and along the way we saw an old, broken down foosball table someone had put at the end of their driveway with a “free” sign. When I asked my daughter if she wanted to take a closer look at it, there was no hesitation. With the cheap particle board construction that was already damaged, we immediately had visions of building a new structure out of solid wood. While it will be several more weeks before we start looking at building this, here’s some inspiration I generated using MidJourney: AI Generated Foosball Table Renderings MidJourney didn’t always place handles or get the playfield in the right orientation, but I think it’s still a great tool to generate some ideas. I won’t have anywhere near the time, money, tools, or skills to build anything near these, but it can prompt some ideas. Solid Wood Foosball Table Renderings Futuristic Foosball Table Designs Here’s a couple more designs I made with a futuristic concept. Acrylic sign panels could be an interesting way to go… The Build It will be a several more weeks before we start the build, but we’ll add more to this post once we do!

Stamped concrete is a popular and versatile paving material that is commonly used for various types of flooring, patios, driveways, and sidewalks. It is created by stamping a mold into freshly poured concrete to create patterns and textures that mimic other materials such as stone, brick, and tile. Stamped concrete is a cost-effective and low-maintenance alternative to traditional paving materials and can be customized to suit a wide range of styles and design preferences. In this article, we will explore what stamped concrete is, its benefits, the process of installation, and some design ideas. What is Stamped Concrete? Stamped concrete is a type of decorative concrete that is created by stamping a pattern or texture onto freshly poured concrete. This technique is achieved by using specialized stamps that are pressed into the wet concrete to create a pattern or texture. Once the concrete has cured, a sealer is applied to protect the surface and enhance the color of the concrete. Stamped concrete can be designed to resemble a wide range of materials such as brick, stone, slate, tile, and even wood. This versatility makes it an ideal option for creating a variety of outdoor living spaces and hardscaping features such as patios, driveways, walkways, and pool decks. Benefits of Stamped Concrete There are many benefits to using stamped concrete for your outdoor living spaces and hardscaping projects. Some of the main advantages include: The Process of Installing Stamped Concrete The process of installing stamped concrete involves several steps. Here is a brief overview of the process: Design Ideas for Stamped Concrete Stamped concrete can be customized to suit a wide range of design preferences and styles. Here are some design ideas to consider for your stamped concrete projects: Sealing Stamped Concrete Sealing your stamped concrete helps act as a moisture repellent. It eliminates or reduces water and contaminants from penetrating into the porous concrete. It also gives a finished look. Sealants come in various finishes from satin to gloss. Here’s a photo showing the difference between our back patio as it was getting sealed. This particular sealant didn’t have the high-gloss, wet look when dry (see the picture above), however, compared to the raw concrete it makes a huge difference. Summary Overall, stamped concrete is a versatile and cost-effective paving material that offers many benefits. It can be customized to suit a wide range of design preferences and styles and requires minimal maintenance compared to other paving materials. With proper installation and maintenance, stamped concrete can provide a durable and long-lasting surface for your outdoor living spaces and hardscaping projects.