Upcycle a Metal Frame Into a Storage Table

We found an old metal side table frame in the trash that had lost its top and thought it could be made into a storage table by using wood circles and a piece of galvanized metal. It seemed like the perfect project to finally use that galvanized metal we've had since 2016. Ironically, we purchased that metal for our very first upcycle project ten years ago!

1. WoodRiver Circle Cutting Router Jig (Amazon)
2. Bosch 12 Amp 2-1/4 Horse Power Corded Peak Variable Speed Plunge and Fixed Base Router Kit (Amazon)
3. WoodRiver Router Baseplate for Bosch 1617 Plunge Base (Amazon)
4. Whiteside Router Bits RU2100 Standard Spiral Bit with Up Cut Solid Carbide 1/4-Inch Cutting Diameter and 1-Inch Cutting Length (Amazon)
5. Bosch RA1151 Router Subbase Centering Device (Amazon)
6. Carpet tacks (Amazon)
7. Tin Snips (Amazon)
8. Rivet Gun (Amazon)
9. Makita drill & drill kit (Home Depot)
10. Olympic Elite Outdoor Solid Stain (Home Depot)
11. Pinnacle 6” Thumb Rule (Amazon)
12. Pinnacle 3 1/2” Mini Carpenter Square Pinnacle (Amazon)
13. Pinnacle Imperial 6” Precision Square (Amazon)
14. Mesa SoloStove (Amazon)

The first part of the video is a tutorial on using the circle jig followed by how we made the table.

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For this project we are cutting three circles. The first two are the same size and are cut to fit within the dimensions of the inside of the top of the frame. (See picture of upside down frame.) One circle will fit in the bottom of the frame and the second will be attached to a larger circle for the top.

In keeping with the upcycle nature of this project we are also using wood from a disassembled cabinet.

There are many tools you can use to cut circles, we are using a circle jig from Wood River and a router. Following the instructions that came with the circle router jig, we cut out three circles. The jig was easy to use and cut perfect circles.

After the circles were cut, they were sanded and cleaned up for painting in a later step.

One of the smaller circles was attached to the underside of the top/lid. The larger circle is 3 inches larger than the smaller one. After laying the smaller one on the underside of the larger circle, we measured around 3 inches to get the smaller one centered into place. We then used a brad nailer to secure it to the top/lid. The lid was then painted with some leftover outdoor paint.

For the insert, we cut the galvanized metal to fit around the wood round with about a 2 inch overlap. We used tacks to attach the metal around the perimeter of the wood round. (This round was also painted with the outdoor paint.)

We added a collar of the metal around the top of the insert to give it more stability and to encase the rough, sharp edges of the cut metal.

We used a rivet gun was used to attach all the metal pieces. We also added a decorative band of metal around the lid. Finally, rubber feet were added to the bottom of the frame.

The storage table was designed to hold a mini solo stove and everything we needed to use it including a slate trivet to use underneath the solo stove when in use.

This was the perfect way to reuse this old side table frame in a way that is much more functional and useful than if we had put a new top on it and called it a day!

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