Cable reels can be upcycled in so many ways,,,, I hope this post will inspire you to create your own innovative designs.
Here are a few pros and cons when it comes to cable reel furniture…..
Pros……
The wood has been treated with preservative, which penetrates deep into the fibres, so the cable reel will not rot.
Although cable reels may have been treated with insect repellent and anti-fungal products, any harmful properties will have been washed away over time by the weather.
Larger cable reels are very heavy, which is a major deterrent to burglars.
Cons……
The wood may be very rough, so it is hard work sanding them down
You may come across protruding or buried nails which will rip your sanding block to pieces
Finding your cable reels
Cable reels come in a wide range of sizes and are made of cardboard, wood or plastic……but where can you find them?
Utility companies who are laying electric and water services.
Local recycling centres
Local tradespeople….electricians, plumbers, builders and telephone contractors
Electrical retail stores
Local council depots
Online auction sites
Take a look at this video, which shows how Nick Zammeti created a miniature village on top of a cable reel……
Here are some more ideas. Wherever possible I have given a link to the source material, where you will often find instructions on how to make the artefact. I have tried to find a broad range of uses for a cable reel…..not just tables.
Check the reel for any protruding nails and remove them
Sand down the cable reel using a power sander if possible using a coarse grade of grit. Save any lettering as this will give your reel character and reinforce its original purpose.
Brush off any sawdust so you have a nice clean surface
amateurcamper.com
Now bring the surface to life using a wax polish, such as Briwax, which comes in a wide range of colours. Briwax will find its way into all those nooks and crannies…….your scruffy old cable reel will be transformed.
I have always loved wood crafts. In my teens it was model gliders, ships in bottles, puppets, wooden toys.... Then I had to earn a crust and became a civil engineer designing and building bridges, motorways, schools...until I became a video producer. On retiring I started making dolls houses but now I am a blogger concentrating on my love of wood.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.