Turning a used truck tire into a stylish, functional coffee table is not only a creative upcycling project but also a practical way to add storage and personality to your living space.
This step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to build your own tire coffee table—with tapered legs, a liftable top, and hidden storage inside.
Why This Plan Works
- Upcycles an old truck tire into a functional piece of furniture
- Offers built-in storage with a removable tabletop
- Adds a unique, industrial look to any room
- Inexpensive and eco-friendly
- Fully customizable with paint, stain, and fabric
What You Will Need
- 1 old truck tire
- ½ sheet of ¾” plywood
- 3 table legs (we used turned Lyptus wood)
- Threaded rods, washers, nuts, lag screws
- Wood screws, glue
- Stain, polyurethane, paint or finishing supplies
- Tools: jigsaw, table saw, drill, router, lathe (optional), sander, hand tools
Step 1: Clean and Mark the Tire
Give the tire a thorough cleaning using soapy water and a stiff brush. Remove debris, pebbles, and any embedded material. Divide the inner rim into thirds using basic circle geometry and mark it with a square for layout.
Step 2: Drill for Support Rods
Drill holes through the inner bead at each third mark for the support rods. Use a drill bit slightly larger than the rod to accommodate the flexible rubber. Insert threaded rods with nuts, lock washers, and flat washers.
Step 3: Cut Leg Holes
Mark the outer sidewall halfway between the bead and the tread at each third line. Use a hole saw slightly wider than your leg diameter to make clean holes for inserting the table legs.
Step 4: Turn and Prep the Legs
Turn each leg on a lathe (or use pre-made legs) with a slight taper for a mid-century modern look.
Bevel the tops slightly to allow them to splay outward. Drill a pilot hole into each leg’s top for mounting.
Step 5: Create Leg Support Plates
Trace the inner profile of the tire onto cardboard or MDF, transfer to hardwood, and cut three leg mounting plates. Recess a lag bolt head into each plate and attach a leg using pilot holes and lag bolts.
Step 6: Stack the Interior Support Rings
Use the pattern to trace and cut 9 plywood rings. Glue them into three stacks of three, and cut a center groove using a dado blade to accommodate the support rods. These stacks will stabilize the legs and support the tire’s load.
Step 7: Assemble the Legs and Supports
Insert each leg through the tire holes and position the leg support stacks inside the tire. Square them up and attach with screws from outside the tire into the support stack. Repeat for all three legs.
Step 8: Install the Bottom
Cut a 17″ MDF circle and bevel the edge for a snug fit into the tire bead. Secure it using small brackets or plates (we reused some from IKEA) and screws placed evenly around the perimeter.
Step 9: Cut and Finish the Top
Cut a plywood circle for the tabletop using a router and circle jig.
Finish with dark stain and polyurethane using a mix of 1 part mineral spirits, 1 part poly, and 2 parts black stain. Let dry and apply 2 final coats of poly thinned with mineral spirits.
Step 10: Centering Blocks for the Top
Attach three small hardwood blocks to the underside of the top to center it on the tire. Bevel and finish these blocks. Attach them precisely using countersunk screws and measure their placement from the table’s edge for perfect alignment.
Note: Always wear proper safety gear, and allow all finishes to fully cure before use.
Other Details Display
- Leg Style: Tapered mid-century modern, made from Lyptus wood
- Support Rods: 5/16″ threaded rods with washers and locknuts
- Plywood Layering: Nine rings of ¾” plywood glued and screwed into three support stacks
- Bottom Insert: 17″ diameter MDF circle with beveled edge, secured by brackets
- Top Attachment: Freely removable plywood circle, centered with internal blocks
- Finishing: Dark stain with polyurethane topcoat; burnished between coats using steel wool
- Hidden Storage: Large internal cavity accessible by lifting the tabletop
- Table Height: Determined by leg length and taper; slightly splayed for stability
Summary
This DIY coffee table made from a recycled truck tire is a practical and eco-friendly furniture project that combines functionality with style.
With hidden storage and a sleek, modern design, this upcycled tire table is a perfect weekend build for your living room.
This plan is a contribution by [bigern00]. Project Via Instructables – Get the PDF Instructions here. If you have a plan to share, we welcome your submissions!
