25 Clever Ways to Repurpose Old Spindles (With Sizes and Safety Tips)

Old stair balusters and chair spindles turn into tables, lamps and racks in an afternoon, as long as you test the paint for lead first.

A Spindle is basically a straight designed spike or a handle that is used for various purposes. It can be a wooden handle used in staircases for support.

The word “Spindle” generally means a stick or rod that can be seen on a spinning wheel. A spindle whorl which is a part of the spindle has a round and spherical disk-like structure with a hole in its center.

These whorls are usually added to the top of a spindle and they are made up of different objects like wood, glass, metal, ceramic or amber. The commonly seen spindles are made of wood which is used for wool, hemp or cotton. It is considered as an industrial tool which helps to spin or twist different clothing fibers.

There are many spindle types and many different spindle craft ideas that you can use to decorate using them. To start decorating your place, you first need to discover the basic types of spindles that you can find around your workplace or home.

Wooden or metal spindles are generally used in different household and commercial places. You can reuse spindles or even get new ones if you have any specific decoration idea in your mind. Before you start creating decorations using spindles, here are some different types of spindles that will help you to gather ideas about how to reuse them.

Quick Answer

Old spindles work best as legs, posts, pegs and decorative stems. A stair baluster is a turned post with square ends, so it screws or dowels onto a flat top with little trouble. Most projects below need only a saw, a drill, glue and an afternoon.

Start with matching pieces from a salvage yard, an old crib, a chair or a torn-out staircase. Cut them to length, sand them smooth and fasten them to a base. That’s the whole method, and it works on tables, lamps, racks, planters and holiday decor alike.

But painted spindles from an older home need one extra step first. Test the paint for lead before any sanding, and check local code before you reuse a spindle in a railing. We cover both in the safety section below, along with the tools and fasteners that hold everything together.

Types of wood spindles

Here are a few different types of wood spindles used to spin wool, cotton or other types of clothing materials. They are generally made using Oak or Pine:

#1. Tibetan Style Spindles

#2. Russian Spindles:

#3. Whorl on Top Spindles:

#4. Whorl on Bottom Spindles

#5. Peruvian Spindles:

#6. Akha Spindles:

What Counts as a Spindle? (Not the Yarn Kind)

A lot of people search this topic and land on yarn spinning pages. Those are hand spindles, the little sticks used to twist wool into thread. This guide is about the other kind: the turned wooden posts from staircases, porches, chairs, cribs and beds.

Here’s how the common sources compare for DIY work.

Source	Typical shape	Best projects	Watch out for
Stair baluster	Square top and bottom, turned middle	Table legs, lamp bases, racks	Old paint, may need cutting to length
Chair spindle	Thin, often tapered	Plate racks, wind chimes, pegs	Small diameter, can snap
Crib spindle	Straight, slim	Planter stakes, plate racks	Lead paint on old cribs
Bedpost	Thick and tall	Lamp bases, bench legs, finials	Heavy, hard to cut cleanly
Porch spindle	Weathered, rough	Garden art, wind chimes	Rot at the ends

Standard new baluster stock measures about 1¼ inches square. Older or custom railings can run 1¾ inches square, according to David Raymond at This Old House. Measure yours before you plan a top or a base.

Before You Start: Lead Paint and Stair Code

Is your spindle from a house built before 1978? Then treat the paint as suspect. The EPA says approximately three-quarters of US homes built before 1978 still contain some lead-based paint.

Don’t dry sand or burn old paint to find out. Use a lead test kit first, and keep the pieces wet while you work if the test is positive.

The EPA notes that a negative result from a recognized kit, used by a trained professional, can reliably show regulated lead paint is absent. A home kit is a good first screen, but it’s not proof.

Building a new stair or deck railing from reclaimed spindles is a different job. Railings are safety parts.

Most codes limit the gap between balusters, and a 4-inch sphere rule is common for guards. Check your local code before you reuse spindles in anything people lean on.

Tools and Fasteners That Work

You don’t need a full shop. A saw, drill and clamps cover nearly every idea here.

Task	Tool or material	Our tip
Cut to length	Miter saw or hand saw	Wrap painter’s tape on the cut line to stop splintering
Pilot holes	Drill with 1/16-inch bit	Drill first so old wood doesn’t split
Joining	Wood glue plus a dowel or screw	Glue first, then fasten
Smoothing	80-grit sandpaper, then finer	Sand with the grain
Filling holes	Wood putty	Match it to your paint color

The 1/16-inch pilot hole, the glue and the 80-grit sandpaper all match what This Old House lists for baluster work. Everything else in the table is our own workshop habit.

Spindles Used for Staircases:

Different types of Spindles used for staircases:
Straight Square Spindle, Square Tapered, Chamfered Spindles, Twisted Spindles and Edwardian Spindles.

Staircase spindles can be either wooden or metal.

Source

#1. Metal Spindles

Made from Nickel, Steel, Chrome or Black Metal. Metal Spindles are generally used to make staircases and provide support to the complete staircase from the bottom.

#2. Wooden Spindles

These are usually made using oak or white primed wood.

Industrial Spindles

Industrial spindles can be custom created using different materials and in different sizes as per the needs.

25+ repurposed Spindle Ideas

Using any of the above spindle types, you can create some pretty amazing and innovative pieces of art for your home décor. Check out some great ideas listed below that you will surely love to play around:

#1. Breakfast In The Bed

Four short spindles make sturdy legs for a lap tray. Cut them to about 8 inches so the tray clears your knees. Screw each one up through a plywood or pine top, which should be roughly 14 by 22 inches.

Add a cabinet pull on each short end for handles. Seal the top with a food-safe finish. It also works as a bed-side laptop stand.

2. Antique Wall Coat Rack

Mount four or five straight spindles side by side to a board. Fix a rail across the top and screw in hooks at the spindle positions. Pick spindles with similar tops for a tidy line.

Use a stud finder and 2½-inch screws into the wall. A mix of styles looks charming and lets you use up odd leftovers. Hang it low for kids.

3. Spindle-Leg Sofa Table

This is the classic spindle project. Take four tall balusters and a long board for a narrow table behind a couch. Aim for about 30 inches tall and 12 inches deep.

Drill a pilot hole in the top end of each leg and set a screw up through an apron. Add a lower shelf if the legs are long enough. Check it with a level before you add the top.

4. Table Lamp Base

A thick bedpost or baluster makes a handsome lamp stem. Drill a hole straight through the center for the cord. A long auger bit does this best.

Use a lamp kit from a hardware store. Follow its wiring directions closely, or ask an electrician. Top it off with a plain linen shade.

5. Cabinet and Drawer Pulls

Short spindle ends make lovely handles. Cut a 3-inch piece and drill a hole through the back of the drawer front. Fasten it from inside with a machine screw.

Use the same turned profile on every drawer for a matching set. Paint them a contrast color. This is a cheap way to wake up a tired dresser.

6. Candle Stands

Cut spindles to different heights, then glue each to a flat wooden base. Try 6, 9 and 12 inches for a grouped look. Top each with a candle cup or a pillar plate.

Never leave a flame near dry wood. Battery candles work well and cost little. Stain or paint the set to match your mantel.

7. Tabletop Christmas Tree

Stack graduated spindle pieces on a post and paint them in holiday colors. Short pieces at the bottom and thin ones at the top give a tree outline. Glue and dowel every join.

Top it with a small wooden star. Our Christmas staircase ideas pair nicely with a set of three of these on the landing.

8. Three-Tier Serving Stand

Join three plates or boards with spindle sections between them. Drill a center hole in each plate and run a long threaded rod through. Hide the nuts under small caps.

Use food-safe plates and keep the wood away from wet food. It’s great for desserts and herbs. Pick a spindle with a bulb shape for the best look.

9. Blanket or Quilt Rack

Set two tall spindles upright and connect them with horizontal rods. Space the rods about 8 inches apart. Lean it against a wall like a ladder.

It’s an easy build with a drill and dowels. Sand the rods smooth so soft quilts don’t snag. Pair it with a cozy chair in your bedroom.

10. Jewelry Display

Mount a spindle top-down on a small wooden base, then drill small holes near the top for earring posts. Hang necklaces around the turned shoulders. Add a thin cup at the base for rings.

Keep one spindle for each person if you share the display. A tall bedpost works best for long chains. Seal the wood to prevent snags.

11. Entryway Bench

Use four bedposts or heavy balusters as bench legs, then attach a thick plank seat. Plan about 18 inches tall and 40 inches wide. Connect the legs with stretchers for strength.

Wobble is the usual problem. Add glue to every joint and a cross brace. Look at our reclaimed wood kitchen projects for matching plank ideas.

12. Outdoor Wind Chimes

Hang spindles of different lengths from a ring of wood or metal. Drill a small hole through the top of each. Thread cord or chain through and tie off with knots.

Different lengths give different sounds. Seal the wood with exterior varnish. Hang it where a breeze can reach it.

13. Pedestal Plant Stand

Set a flat disc or square on top of a tall spindle and attach a wide base. This lifts a small pot at eye level. A fern or trailing ivy looks great on it.

Use exterior glue and a sealer if it lives outdoors. Our repurposed garden container ideas give you more pots to match. Keep the base wider than the top so the stand won’t tip.

14. Spindle Chandelier

Mount spindles around a ring so they radiate upward like a crown. Attach candle cups or a wiring kit at each top. Hang the whole thing from chain.

This one is heavy, so use a ceiling hook rated for the load. Check the weight on your hardware label. Wiring needs a licensed electrician, or choose battery candles.

15. Spindle Hat or Peg Rack

Cut short turned ends and screw them into a plank as pegs. Space them about 6 inches apart. Seal the plank with paint.

Use this in a mudroom for hats and bags. Pick spindles with a good knob shape for hanging. It’s a small build that’s ready in an hour.

16. Plate Rack

Crib spindles are great for this. Set a row of spindles upright between two rails to hold plates on edge. Space them wide enough for the plate rims.

A rack about 24 inches long holds six plates. Sand the rails smooth. Hang it above a counter or lean it on a hutch.

17. Wreath Holder

Mount a single turned post on a base and hang a wreath over the top. A bedpost with a ball finial works best. It stands on a table or by a door.

Our repurposed old door ideas include a few ways to pair a wreath with a porch door. Change the wreath each season. Weight the base so it won’t tip.

18. Chalkboard Message Board

Frame a small chalkboard with spindle sections along the sides. Miter the ends or butt them cleanly. Add a ledge for chalk at the bottom.

Use chalkboard paint on a thin plywood panel. Two coats are enough for a smooth finish. Hang it in a kitchen for lists.

19. Spindle Magazine Crate

Build a box with spindles as the side slats, spaced evenly. Use plywood for the base. A box about 14 inches wide holds a stack of magazines.

Leave small gaps between spindles for a light look. Add rope handles. It’s a neat spot for blankets, too.

20. Garden Plant Markers and Stakes

Cut thin spindles to 12 inches and sharpen one end. Paint the tops for easy plant names. Push them into the soil next to seedlings.

Seal the wood so it lasts a season or two. Our repurposed garden tools ideas have more low-cost tricks. Use a permanent marker on the painted tip.

21. Raised Planter on Spindle Legs

Fit an old drawer or wooden box with four spindle legs. Drill a few drainage holes. Line it with landscape fabric.

A planter 10 inches deep suits herbs and lettuce. Raise it so weeding is easy on your back. Use untreated or sealed wood.

22. Spindle Carrots

Paint a spindle orange and add real or faux leaves at the top. A tapered chair or crib spindle gives the right carrot shape. Make a bunch for spring.

Use acrylic paint and a coat of sealer. Group them in a basket or vase. Kids love helping with this one.

23. Reclaimed Reindeer

Use two spindles as legs and a thicker piece for the body, then add a twig head. Glue and dowel each join. Paint or leave it natural.

Add a bow or bell for a festive look. Make a set of three in different sizes. Sand away any rough spots before display.

24. Photo and Card Holder

Wrap wire around the top of a spindle and tuck a clip into the loops. Photos and cards slide in easily. A tall piece with a wide base stands on a desk.

Use a coil of thin wire for the clips. Try a cluster of three heights. It’s a fine gift for holidays.

25. Pedestal Bowl or Cake Stand

Glue a shallow bowl or plate onto the top of a short spindle. Use a strong adhesive rated for wood and ceramic. Let it cure for 24 hours.

Test the stand with light items first. Use it for fruit, soap or candy. Skip heavy loads.

What We Learned the Hard Way

Our biggest lesson is to test before you sand. Old painted spindles look harmless, but dust from lead paint isn’t. We’d rather spend a few dollars on a test kit than guess.

The second lesson is wobble. A table with spindle legs rocks if one leg is a hair shorter. Cut all four legs together and check them against a flat surface.

If there’s one thing worth doing differently, it’s to match your spindles before you buy. Mixed profiles look charming when planned, but messy by accident. Lay them out on the floor first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find old spindles?

Try architectural salvage yards, habitat ReStores, thrift shops and curb-side trash on bulk pickup days. Old cribs, chairs and beds also give spare spindles. Ask local contractors who are tearing out staircases.

Is it safe to use old spindles?

It can be, once you know what is on them. Test painted pieces from homes built before 1978 for lead. Wear a mask and keep dust down while you sand.

Can I reuse spindles in a stair railing?

Yes, but follow local code. Spacing and strength rules apply, and a loose baluster is a safety risk. Ask your building department before you install.

What glue works best on turned wood?

Standard wood glue works for indoor pieces. Use an exterior or waterproof glue for outdoor pieces. Clamp each joint until it sets.

How do I cut a spindle without splintering it?

Put painter’s tape over the cut line. Use a sharp fine-tooth blade. Cut slowly and sand the end.