1920 Steel Wagon Wheel Table legs

[Kev In]

I found some old 1920 ish 1/2” thick steel wagon wheels at a friends farm. I was going to go with a modern look with the legs, but thought these old wheels would make Great table legs and a great conversation piece.

The 2 wheels and axle weighed in around 700lbs. I tracked some braces on the wheels and cut the wheels down to 28” height. I was worried these wheels may expand, but the didn’t move a bit after cutting them.

I welded on 3/16 x 6” plate for the base and table support. To lighten the weight, I fabricated some plates and welded some 7/8 ready rod to the plates and welded them to a 3” pipe. This axle provides some lateral support and gives it a bit of modern industrial look. The axle just bolts on with a nut to each end to make them easy to assemble. I then clear coated all of the steel trying to preserve the rust look.

The top is made of 100 year old Douglas Fir from an old grainery. The wife wanted face grain, so I glued the top up (9.5ftx4.5ft). I need to weld up a larger router sled and then using a bottom clean out bit level the top. Then sand and finish. I will post these pictures in a few days. The top weighs about 200lbs.

 

[LXCam]

That's going to be exceptionally cool when you get it finished! I hope ya don't mind cause I know you put a great deal of thought into this before cutting up the wheels. But instead of the base plate set up, have you considered maybe finding some wrought iron table legs, the swoopy kind and attaching those to the wheel hoops? Maybe even get one of those cheap wrought iron bench kits and cut those off if you can find some that are symmetrical? It's late, been a long day so I hope that makes sense. Regardless it's still going to be awesome just the way it is.

 

[Kev In]

Hi LXCam, never thought of adding legs to it. I was looking for some old small gears to add to the base, but couldn’t find any, so I just used the steel I had on hand in the shop. Thank you for the comments.

 

[383]

That is awesome! I need to make a coffee table for my basement, a base like that would be perfect. For a low coffee table I would probable cut the top and the bottom off of the wheels.

 

[royce]

Very nice,
I'm anxious to see the top and the setting it will be in.
Thanks

Royce

 

[nmcqueen469]

Awesome idea, in for finished pics!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Kev In]

Here are the pictures of the fabricated router sled that I built that I will use to flatten the top of the table. The 2.25 hp router with a 1.25 clean out bit will do a great job leveling the top. The frame is built out of 2” square tubing with 1.25” holding up the table top. The sled will slide along the tubing.

More pictures as I progress this week.

 

[Firstram]

I've been flattening lumber for years with a similar but less permanent set-up. That is worth keeping around. Table looks great!

 

[Kev In]

Here is a picture after the first pass with the router. I did a second light pass and will start sanding tomorrow.

 

[Kev In]

Here is the finished table. It easily sits 10 people....just in time for Christmas.

 

[Darryl2]

Really COOL!

 

[383]

Awesome work!

 

[akalian]

Good job.
Very well done.

 

[captain14]

Very good job and original work of art.

 

[royce]

Excellant table,
It will be grand to have your Christmas feast around.
Well done.

Royce

 

[LXCam]

Kickass! That turned out fantastic.