When Scrap Turns Into Something Awesome
One of my favorite kinds of projects is turning industrial scrap into something useful.
Recently I’ve seen some barrel projects that turned out great and began a search to find my own – I ended up getting both off Marketplace for $20 each:
- a 55-gallon oil drum
- a wood cable spool
Within minutes, I used these two pieces and turned them into a rugged industrial table that now sits on our small balcony at the cabin.
Sometimes the best builds start with materials most people overlook.
The Finished Table
Materials Used
This build used mostly reclaimed materials.
Main components
- 55-gallon oil drum (Mobil synthetic lubricant barrel)
- Wood cable spool
- Round glass tabletop
Hardware
- Three ¼-20 threaded nut inserts
- Three 3-inch stainless steel ¼-20 bolts
Tools
- Drill
- Drill bits
- Pencil
- Threaded Nut Insert Tool
- Tape measure
Step 1: Disassembling the Cable Spool
The cable spool I picked up on Facebook Marketplace was held together with three square nuts.
Once those nuts were removed, the entire spool easily disassembled.
This allowed me to remove the top disc, which would become the tabletop.
Step 2: Centering the Barrel
Next I measured the diameter of:
- the barrel
- the spool top
This helped determine where the barrel should sit underneath the tabletop.
Once I had the correct position, I flipped the spool over and drew a circle on the underside to mark where the barrel would sit. This allowed me to place the spool top on top of the barrel and have alignment marks to ensure it was centered.
Step 3: Marking the Mounting Holes
The spool already had existing holes, which made things easier.
With the spool positioned correctly, I used those holes to mark three drilling points directly onto the barrel.
Step 4: Drilling the Barrel
After marking the holes, I drilled three holes through the metal barrel.
⚠️ Important Safety Note
Drilling metal can generate sparks and heat, so you must ensure that the barrel:
- is completely empty
- has been cleaned
- contains no oil residue
Residual oil could ignite when drilling.
Always take safety precautions when working with reclaimed barrels.
Step 5: Installing Threaded Inserts
Instead of using nuts inside the barrel, I installed ¼-20 threaded nut inserts.
This allowed the tabletop to be bolted directly into the barrel.
It also makes it easy to remove the top later if needed.
Step 6: Securing the Tabletop
To secure the spool top, I used:
Three 3-inch stainless steel ¼-20 bolts
The bolts pass through the spool top and thread directly into the inserts installed in the barrel.
Once tightened down, the table was solid and stable.
Adding the Glass Top
The cable spool already came with a round glass top, which gives the table a smoother surface and protects the wood underneath.
It also adds a nice finished look while still showing the character of the reclaimed wood.
Future Improvements
This project is already functional, but I’ll likely make a couple upgrades later.
Re-staining the wood
The spool was previously stained when I bought it, but I’ll probably sand it down and apply a fresh Varathane stain. I’m not sure if the previous stain was rated for exterior use, so a fresh set of stain will be a good idea.
Protecting the barrel
I also plan to spray a clear coat on the barrel to:
- preserve the Mobil graphics
- prevent rust
- protect it from weather exposure
Why Cable Spools Are Perfect for DIY Furniture
Cable spools are one of the easiest reclaimed materials to turn into furniture because they already provide:
- a perfect round tabletop
- thick durable wood
- built-in mounting holes
Pairing one with a steel oil drum base creates a table that is both heavy and extremely stable.
What Should I Build With My Next Barrel?
I still have one more 55-gallon barrel, and I haven’t decided what to build with it yet.
Some ideas I’m considering:
- barrel chairs
- a fire pit table
- an industrial shop stool
- another barrel table
- a barrel smoker
If you have ideas for projects using 55-gallon barrels, let me know in the comments.
I’m always looking for the next Fabville upcycling build.