DIY Furniture
Making a Cable Spool Pallet Bench (Video Tutorial!)
Leave it to a DIYer to get excited about seeing a giant cable spool left on the side of the road. When I (JZ) first spied it on my way […]
Leave it to a DIYer to get excited about seeing a giant cable spool left on the side of the road. When I (JZ) first spied it on my way to the grocery store in early March, the wheels in my head started turning. With each passing week, I’d check to see if it was still there on my drive to the grocery store. Lo and behold, it remained in that same spot, untouched, unmoved and clearly unloved. I knew I had to do something.
It took about a week to convince Daniel that we should TOTALLY pick it up. They’re heavy, he said, and what are we going to do with it? But I wouldn’t stop talking about it. We took a long walk to see if it was still in the same spot, and it was.
After checking with local businesses to see if it was theirs, and then calling the local PD to be sure it wasn’t illegal to take it, we walked back to the house, grabbed D’s truck, and loaded it up. Months later, a serendipitous need for some new outdoor seating under the tent on the pool patio led us to the idea of making a Cable Spool Pallet Bench.
A few pallets, way too much sanding, and a few weeks of hard, sweaty work, and we now have the most awesome (and rock solid) Cable Spool Pallet Bench.
Check out the video to see how we made it!
I tend to forget how much of a PITA pallets can be to work with, but per usual, the end result was definitely worth all of the effort. We even found some amazing cushions to put on this puppy, from one of my favorite discount home decor stores: At Home. So now, we have a super sturdy (and super comfortable, with or without cushions) Cable Spool Pallet Bench.
🛒 Tools and Materials (most links = affiliate links):
Industrial cable spool (can be found on Craigslist or FB marketplace)
3 x 48” pallets (can be found on Craigslist or FB marketplace)
Scrap 2×4
5” Galvanized hex bolts + nuts + washers – https://amzn.to/2CP3um2
1.5” Lag screws – https://amzn.to/2CP3um2
Deck screws – https://amzn.to/39ndnnr
Stain (we used Flagstone) – https://amzn.to/2CfeIjn
Spar urethane – https://amzn.to/2CTNI9m
Miter saw – https://amzn.to/2YDSAGw
Circular saw – https://amzn.to/3bCH4jK
Jig saw – https://amzn.to/2WxDlPx
Random orbital sander – https://amzn.to/37q46ca
Detail sander – https://amzn.to/2CrRRSh
Belt sander – https://amzn.to/2WCNACj
Clamps – https://amzn.to/2BeUg21
Power drill – https://amzn.to/2GiNK9g
Sandpaper – https://amzn.to/2N9mYDV
Forstner bit – https://amzn.to/2CedsNu
Measuring tape – https://amzn.to/3bKyTSz
Pencil – https://amzn.to/2WKMfKm
Mallet – https://amzn.to/3fIVLV7
E6000 – https://amzn.to/3eFKX9b
If you prefer written instructions…
If you want to follow along step by step with words and pictures, check out our Instructable on this project!
Sharing is caring! Pin the graphic below to save for later.
Just Might DIY 
I wish these videos were more detailed. Hard to determine the sizes of anything & everything. Example, how large was the spool, how big around was the plate you used to get the arms cut out, what degree was the back set at to get the 2 pallets to meet at the seat area, what’s the distance from the ground to the seat. Without all of these measurements it’s very difficult to build. Do you have a sheet to purchase with all of the details. If not you should. Love the spool bench but Without more details most people will not be able to build it.
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Hey! We don’t have a full plan for this. It was honestly done mostly by feel – we measured other chairs that we liked for the height and angle, etc. Thanks for your comment, though!
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