Why do I love DIY so much? Because it allows me to make this custom spindle table to meet my specific needs!
Vintage Wooden Tool Chest
Do you remember this wooden tool chest I got from Andy while he was going through his dad’s estate? I knew it would be the perfect storage option for my blog stuff, like biz cards and such. I set out to make a DIY spindle table to set the tool chest on.
Materials for DIY Spindle Table
I used some old spindles I had in the shed, and hardwood flooring I’ve had for years.
Use Pocket Hole Joinery
I ripped the tongue and the groove off of some of the flooring boards with my table saw, then used my Kreg Jig to make the pocket holes.
This is some dry fitting going on.
TIP Even though the flooring is Ā¾” thick, I used a longer screw than the recommended 1 Ā¼” because I was securing the Ā¾” floor into a thicker spindle, and I wanted a good hold. For an extra set of hands, I used the Kreg Right Angle Clamp
.
It’s hard to see, but I cut some scrap pieces of plywood and paint sticks to raise the wood off of the table so the skirt would be in the middle of the spindle, not toward the front. Using the scrap wood pieces insured that all of the pieces would be uniform. In these tight spots it’s handy to have my new Ryobi right angle driver. No more securing screws by hand in tight spaces.
Basic Spindle Table Construction
Here you can see what I’m talking about how the pieces are located in the middle of the spindles, giving it a more professional look.
I was so excited to set the tool chest on my new base!
Uh Oh! Measure Twice Build Once!
oops!
Oh my gosh! imagine my surprise when THIS happened! While measuring the front I was sure to subtract the width of both spindles, but somehow while measuring the sides, I forgot to do that, so the base was too deep. 
There was nothing to do, except take it apart and redo it. I was very frustrated, and didn’t take any pictures, but it consisted of me removing the screws, cutting off the 4 side pieces, drilling MORE pocket holes, and putting it all back together.
Stain The Spindle Table
Happily I was on to the next step, the staining process. I was trying to match the original color of the wooden tool chest by using Minwax Golden Oak
.
I stained the base and all sides of the raw wood flooring that I had ripped and cut to size for the bottom of the table base.
Seal with Minwax Polycrylic
Then, everything got a quick coat of Minwax Gloss Polycrylic 
It’s water based, and one of my go-to products for a tough top coat.
DIY Spindle Table
I ran out of raw wood flooring after cutting the bottom boards. Initially I considered just sitting the tool chest on top of the base, without making a table top. However, the table turned out so cute, I thought it deserved to have a real top.
I was very lucky to have some finished wood flooring that was a perfect match. But I had to rip the tongue off of the front board, and the groove off of the board in the back, and secure them the way they were intended to be connected. I used my Ryobi nail gun to secure all the boards to the table.
Perfect To Hold Machinist's Tool Chest
Here it is holding the repurposed wooden tool chest.
I put it in the hallway. But, I had to move my “Purpose” sign a little higher to accommodate opening the lid.
Tool Chest as Office Storage
I will be using this very handy chest to help keep me organized with my blog stuff, like biz cards etc. But it would also make a great jewelry chest for those who own a lot of bling!
One more look at the table I made!
I am sure you’re happy I didn’t cut up the tool box. It never even crossed my mind. I’m happy that Andy thought of me when he found this tool chest among his dad’s treasures.
gail
Want to see more spindle projects, tables, or built from scratch?
Be Inspired @ Elizabeth & Company
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
holdingtomorrow
Thank you so much for this tutorial! I paint and sell furniture have a cabinet that I want to add some spindle legs to, and yours was the only professional looking finished project I could find. I'm excited to find another use for my Kreg Jig. š
Gail Wilson
Awesome! I'm happy you found my tutorial helpful. I love my Kreg Jig too!
Good luck on your project, I would love to see it when it's finished.
gail
Rebekah
Hello, I recently found a chest exactly like this. Im actually wondering if you have any insight on who might have made it? Or where it came from? There is no markings that I can find, Iāve went though hundreds of pictures. And ran across this. Thank you so very much,
Rebekah Haithcock
Gail Wilson
Rebekah,
It was given to me third hand, so I don't have any information about it. I'm sorry I can't be of more help.
gail
Becky
Wow, missed this one--incredible table!!
debbie
Oh wow Gail that turned out so pretty.. love that tool chest. And I was just searching this weekend what to do with some spindles that was given to me.. I've to try something like this.
Christine
This is very, very nice. I have measuring issues, too, so it makes me feel a little better to see someone so talented have a teensy, repairable mess-up! š
I have a bathroom vanity in my head and want to use some of the antique spindles I've been collecting. You've given me some great ideas -- and having the tools, the picture in my head is coming closer to reality!
Thanks. Beautiful, beautiful job on an heirloom piece!
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.
What a wonderful and unique piece with a great story to go with it! ... And thank you for your sweet comment on four years of blogging! You know I'm so happy to call you my friend. And now you've got to do something about that no-reply thing!
Amber of WhatAmberLoves.com
(I love seeing the components of the stand/table used for something other than what they were originally intended to be used for! So cool!! Flooring that isn't flooring! Love it!!)
Amber of WhatAmberLoves.com
You REPURPOSED spindles, REPURPOSED floorboards, and by doing so, you made a great stand for the chest! So cool! Great Project!
Mimi
That turned out gorgeous Gail. it is the perfect compliment to that great chest.
Stephanie@cre8tive
Wow that turned out awesome! I love the look of it. And the styling is superb
Paige @ Little Nostalgia
The whole vignette looks beautiful! I love old chests like that, and this one almost feels like a card catalog. Great job with the table (even though the measurement goof probably make you want to throw it off the roof)!
Michelle
This is so great! I love family treasures, what a perfect way to display and keep one useful at the same time! Beautiful!!
Mindi
Ohhh I love it! It is perfect, and I have done that before, messed up on a measurement, so frustrating! Great job, as usual!
Dee
Gail, you are just too darn talented. I love this table.
Please come to my house and build me some beautiful treasures.
Marti Steele
Love this, Gail. This is just beautiful!!
Laurel Stephens
What a gorgeous piece of furniture, Gail. You've created a beautiful heirloom!
Suzanne
Love it all!
Margaret
Great idea for this chest. This is actually a Machinist's Chest (I think). My husband has a couple and they look very similar, although yours is definitely cleaner š .
darrielle tennenbaum
Gail-what a splendid table and great idea! I just bought 4 legs like the ones you used and now I have an idea how to use them.
Susan
Gail, you did such a beautiful job on this project! And it is nice to see I'm not the only one who experiences challenges with DIY projects. š
Toqua
Wow. A beautiful table and chest. The table matches it perfectly!
Another great job Gail!
Sylvia
Beautiful job! Andy just may want it back š
Anne@DesignDreams
How fantastic is that?! Love it!!!
Holly
I love how the table turned out! It's just perfect for the tool box! Great job. You should make a table to take to your fair!
Terri
Such a cute little table...I love seeing you build things from the ground up!
kirby carespodi
Gail, this is wonderful--not just because it's gorgeous, but because there's such a great story behind it. I have a new rule in my house--unless I really "need" something, whatever I bring in has to have a story.