How To Repair A Table Leg

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You can transform almost any old tabletop past giving it a fresh pair of legs. There are many dissimilar mechanisms you tin can use, merely they aren't every bit hard to understand equally they first seem. For small tables with thin legs, try using metal plates called surface plates and spiral the legs into them. If you're going to move the table a lot, install small inserts called T-nuts direct into the tabletop and spiral the legs into them. Some other option for big tables is to make mortise and tenon joints by cutting slots in the wood for parts to plug into.

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Purchase 4 table surface plates and hanger bolts. In that location are both regular and angled surface plates to cull from. Regular surface plates hold the legs straight vertically while straight surface plates allow yous to fix them diagonally. You can choose either 1 and install them the aforementioned way. To connect the legs, you will also need a set of matching hanger bolts that are the same size as the central opening in the plates. Hanger bolts are basically screws threaded at both ends to connect to something similar a surface plate.
- Shop online or visit a dwelling improvement store to buy plates and bolts. While shopping, compare the hanger bolts to the surface plates to ensure they are uniform. The size will be listed on the packaging.
- Surface plates are a good option for pocket-size tables without an apron, which is the series of wood panels some tables have on their underside to join the legs to the tabletop. Surface plates work best with thin legs less than 2 ¹⁄₄ in (5.7 cm) in diameter.
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Gear up the surface plates on the corners of the table. Determine where the surface plates will become before securing them in place. They typically go in the corners on the underside of the tabular array, but you can move them to adjust the positioning of the legs. Make certain the plates are equidistant, meaning an equal distance from the table'southward edges. If y'all're using angled surface plates, plough them so the elevated portions are opposite from the tabular array'south corners, assuasive the legs to slant in the right direction.^[1]
- If you need a more precise judge of where to put the plates, measure out from the table edges and mark where each one goes. At that place is no exact place to put them beside keeping them equidistant, so it depends on where you want them.
- Examination the plates past holding the legs up to them. If the legs don't look like they are positioned correctly, especially with angled plates, then adjust the plates earlier screwing them in place.
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Spiral the surface plates to the table. Purchased surface plates come up with the screws y'all need to install them. The screws fit the holes, usually four of them, around the plate'due south outer edge. Earlier installing the plate, make sure the screws are not long enough to pierce through the unabridged table. When y'all're ready to secure the surface plates, utilise an electrical screwdriver to attach them to the table's underside.^[2]
- If you call up the screws might be too long, measure their length and compare it to the tabular array's thickness. Y'all may need to get shorter screws or try smaller surface plates.
- Screwing the loose plates on can be a little tricky. Clamp them in identify or ask someone else to hold onto them so they don't slide out of position.
4
Drill a pilot hole through each tabular array leg'due south eye unless yous accept pre-installed hanger bolts. Turn the tabular array legs and then the top portion, meant to connect to the table, faces you. And then, use a ability drill to create the pilot hole downward through the middle. The pilot holes volition forestall the wood from cracking afterward. To make them, apply a drill bit that is roughly the same size every bit the hanger bolts yous program on using. Also, drill holes that are as deep every bit the bolts are long.^[3]
- Note that you don't need to exercise this if you purchase legs with pre-installed hanger bolts. Skip to attaching the legs to the surface plates.
- For example, you might employ bolts that are ^v⁄₁₆ in (0.79 cm) in diameter. Endeavor using the next everyman drill bit size bachelor, which is usually ¹⁹⁄₆₄ in (0.75 cm). Pilot holes work best then they are slightly smaller than the bolts.
- To avoid drilling too far into the wood, wrap a piece of tape around the drill bit. Place it so its distance from the tip is the same length equally the bolts. Then, drill down until the tape touches the hole.
v
Install the hanger bolts through the center of each leg. Set a bolt in each of the pilot holes you fabricated. Start by turning the bolts clockwise by hand until they stay inside the legs. So, use locking pliers or an open up-ended wrench to go along. Proceed turning the bolts until they are locked tightly in identify.
- To assist ensure the bolts fit correctly, you can place a pair of metal nuts on them. Tighten the nuts with a wrench, then insert the commodities's opposite stop into the woods. Employ a wrench on the nuts to plow the bolts, so remove them when you're washed.
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Connect the hanger bolts to the surface plates. Finishing the installation is as uncomplicated as adjustment the legs with the pigsty in the eye of each surface plate. Twist the legs clockwise to secure them in place. When y'all're done, flip the tabular array upwards to check that it is sturdy and level.
- Surface plates are corking for a quick and easy leg installation. They aren't complicated, so if the legs don't seem right, the positioning is likely at fault. Move the legs or the surface plates as needed.
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1
Purchase 4 T-nuts and hanger bolts. T-basics are circular connectors that attach to the table'due south underside. Each T-nut has a central opening used to secure a tabular array leg. When selecting T-nuts, be sure to compare them to the hanger bolts yous plan on using. Get bolts that are the same diameter as the opening on the T-nuts.
- The equipment you need is available online or at nearly home improvement stores.
- T-nuts are useful for tables you plan on moving a lot. They piece of work well on whatever type of forest table without an apron but are best for unfinished tables. If you lot plan on covering the table with another slice of wood or upholstery, T-nuts are a practiced choice.
- If you are unable to observe T-nuts, you lot can also use threaded inserts. Threaded inserts are like, circular fasteners that install the same way.
ii
Position the T-nuts well-nigh the table's corners. Flip the table over to figure out where you will secure the T-nuts. The most of import part is keeping the T-nuts equidistant, or an identical altitude, from the tabular array'due south edges. The exact positioning depends on where you want the legs to be. They are frequently placed shut to the corners but tin can be moved according to your preference.
- If you need more precision when placing the T-nuts, measure out from the edges and marker where each one needs to get.
3
Drill 4 holes through the base of the tabletop. Create the holes in the spots where yous plan on placing the legs. Continue the holes roughly the aforementioned size as the openings in the T-nuts. The exact size will depend on the T-basics y'all plan on using, so refer to their length and diameter. Information technology will exist labeled on the packaging.^[four]
- For example, ⁵⁄₁₆ in (0.79 cm) is a common T-nut diameter. Create aforementioned-sized holes with a power drill.
- Be wary of the table's thickness so you don't drill all the manner through it. Apply shorter T-nuts if your table is likewise thin to support the ones yous purchased.
four
Tap the T-nuts into the holes with a hammer. Identify a T-nut into each of the holes yous drilled. Position them so the wider, circular end is face up. Gradually tap each T-nut down with a lite amount of forcefulness until information technology is level with the forest.^[5]
- The opposite end of each T-nut is a central circumvolve with a smaller opening. This side goes into the wood. The base of each T-nut has small blades that will also laissez passer into the wood as y'all hammer.
5
Drill a pilot hole through the center of each table leg unless they have pre-installed hanger bolts. Arrange the legs so the meridian role, meant to connect to the table, faces you. Earlier drilling pilot holes, refer to the diameter of the hanger screws you lot purchased. Choose a drill size slightly smaller than that. When yous're fix, drill holes that are the aforementioned length every bit the hanger screws.
- For accuracy, take time to measure and mark the heart point on each leg if you need to.
- To make the airplane pilot holes the correct depth, wrap a piece of tape around the drill bit. Position it and then its altitude from the tip is the same as the length of the bolts. Drill downward into the wood until the tape touches it.
- If y'all purchased table legs with pre-installed hanger bolts, skip this part. Instead, attach the legs to the T-nuts.
6
Screw the hanger bolts into the table legs. Fit a bolt into each leg. Turn the bolts past paw to start the installation and, once they stay in place, finish with locking pliers or an open-concluded wrench. Make sure the legs experience secure, non wobbly, and won't come out once you plough the tabular array over.^[6]
- Go along the bolts center and directly in the legs. If they are misaligned, the legs will appear kleptomaniacal when yous adhere them to the T-nuts.
- To make this part easier, put a pair of metal nots on the end of each hanger spiral. Tighten them, slip the screw into the wood, and so apply the basics to tighten the screws. Finish by removing the nuts.
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Twist the legs onto the T-nuts until they are even with the table. The hanger bolts fit inside the threaded openings in the center of the T-nuts. Turn them clockwise every bit far as y'all can. Brand sure the legs fit well against the table. Flip the table over when yous're done to run across if the finished production looks level and sturdy.^[7]
- Keep twisting the legs until they are fifty-fifty with the table. The hanger bolts fit in the threaded holes in each T-nut, leading to a unproblematic just effective installation that hides the hardware.
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1
Put on a dust mask and safety glasses before cut the table. Protect yourself from the dust and possible woods shards released during the cutting process. If you lot can, work outdoors to further reduce the amount of dust you lot have to debate with. Also, avert wearing a long-sleeved shirt, gloves, or jewelry that could go caught by the saw.
- If you can't piece of work outdoors, select a well-ventilated spot similar a workspace with a strong ventilation fan. Open up up nearby doors and windows to direct more of the grit out.
- Keep other people and pets out of the expanse until you are done and have had a adventure to clean up.
2
Cutting boards into rails for the table's underside if there isn't an attached apron. These rail boards fit betwixt the table legs, creating an apron. Flip the table over, then crude fit the legs almost the tabular array corners. Place the boards between them, measuring the length and size you demand them to be. Plan on cutting four boards so you have 1 that fits between each leg. Measure the distance between the middle function of each leg to figure out how long the frock rails need to be.^[8]
- The exact size the boards need to be will vary depending on where you place the legs. Ordinarily, they are easiest to fashion when the legs are placed right nearly the table corners, but they don't accept to be put at that place.
- If your tabular array already has an apron attached, you will come across woods panels attached to the underside. Skip this part and screw the legs to the apron rails or remove the rail to cut mortise and tenon joints.
- A mortise and tenon joint is a secure way to connect pieces of wood past making them fit together. A mortise is a slot, which is oft cutting into tabular array legs. A tenon is a same-sized project that fits into a mortise.
- The mortise and tenon technique is a classic way to create stable tables. It'south often used for big tables that crave plenty of stability, such as picnic or dining room tables. Information technology can also be washed for metal.
3
Mark spots to cut the mortise and tenons in the boards. Plan on cut mortise slots into the tabular array legs and matching tenons on the apron rails to plug into them. These slots can vary as needed depending on the table y'all're working with. For a uncomplicated table, you might measure out about ⁵⁄_viii in (1.vi cm) from the edge of each leg, and so another ¹⁄₂ in (i.3 cm) to make a mortise of the aforementioned size.^[nine]
- Think to fit the leg and apron rails together in order to get an accurate fit. The pieces take to line up and so the tenons plug into the mortises once they are cut.
four
Cut mortises in the table legs with a router. The router is a mobile tool you push forth wood to cut smooth, consequent shapes. It's perfect for cutting a mortise in the center of each leg. After marking the cuts you demand to make, lower the router and advisedly move around the outlines. Note the thickness of the table legs, taking care not to cut more than ¾ of the way through them.^[ten]
- Using a router can be unsafe if you lot're not careful. Continue a business firm grip on it with both hands and keep your fingers up on the safety guards. Move it slowly and close it off when you're done.
- I manner to make the cutting process easier is to drill holes at the ends of each mortise outline, and so follow up with the router. Doing this tin can brand the router glide a fiddling more smoothly over the forest.
- Each leg will accept a pair of mortises for the frock rails connecting it to adjacent legs. Brand certain the mortise cuts expect polish.
- If you don't take a router, y'all could too employ a dowel jig to drill holes into each leg and rail. Then, fit wood dowels into the holes. The dowels will allow you to push the pieces together just like with a mortise and tenon blueprint.
5
Trim tenons on each of the apron track. Utilise the router to make matching tenons that fit into the mortise slots. Make ane on the terminate of each rail, centering it according to your outline. The tenon sticks out from the balance of the rail, which rests confronting the uncut portion of each leg.^[11]
- The tenons can be tough to cutting to the right size, so work slowly. Continue them a petty bigger if needed, since yous can ever chip off the excess material later.
6
Fit the apron runway into the legs to brand sure they fit. Position the legs well-nigh the corners of the tables, aligning the mortises. Then, plug all of the apron rails into them. When they are cut to the right size, the tenons volition join perfectly to the mortises. You lot won't be able to see the tenons at all.^[12]
- You may need to trim the pieces a little more to go them to fit. If you need to shave them downward a picayune bit, try using a chisel to gradually reduce them.
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Use wood glue to secure all of the pieces together. Have autonomously the mortise and tenon joints, then coat them with a layer of forest glue. Utilise something strong, such as carpenter's glue, PVA, or epoxy. If you lot're not using wood, make certain you choose something compatible with the type of material you're using. When you lot're done, fit the pieces dorsum together and clamp them in place for nigh 24 hours to dry out.^[13]
- Let the pieces dry out completely before turning the table dorsum over. Use some effective bar clamps or a like tool to keep the rails and legs pushed together until the glue solidifies.
- Another option is to spiral the rails and legs together. Getting the screws in the correct place is tough, so information technology can easily make your tabular array uneven. To do it, drill the screws diagonally down through the table legs and into the rail.
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Question

How do you ready uneven legs on a metal table?

Jacob Pischer is a Home Improvement Specialist and the Owner of Helpful Badger, a domicile repair service in Portland, OR. With over iv years of experience, Jacob specializes in a diverseness of handyman services including pressure level washing, cleaning gutters, repairing drywall, fixing leaky plumbing equipment, and repairing cleaved doors. Jacob studied at Madison Area Technical College and has a background in real estate investment.

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Expert Respond

Metallic tables appear wobbly when one of the legs is aptitude. Start by figuring out which leg that is; then, apply a vise to bend the table leg back to its right shape. Merely be sure to sandwich the table leg between thin pieces of forest as you secure it in the vise--otherwise, you'll harm the metal.
Question

How exercise you stabilize a wobbly wood table?

Jacob Pischer is a Home Improvement Specialist and the Owner of Helpful Badger, a dwelling house repair service in Portland, OR. With over 4 years of feel, Jacob specializes in a variety of handyman services including pressure washing, cleaning gutters, repairing drywall, fixing leaky fitting, and repairing broken doors. Jacob studied at Madison Area Technical Higher and has a groundwork in real estate investment.

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Expert Answer

Many wooden table lags have a cloth pad on the bottom, which prevents your floors from getting scuffed up. Wooden tables frequently get wobbly when i of these pads come off, so your all-time bet is just calculation a new sticky pad.
Question

What is the ideal space for attaching four legs to a 36-inch round height?

Usually, when designing a circular table, you make a square skirt to accommodate the legs. The square is like a box that is fastened to the circle. A leg will be located at each corner of the square. The leg will have a square end that fits into the corner. If you lot just desire to attach the legs to the table, you can utilize a table plate -- it attaches to the bottom of the tabular array and has threads for a screw that is screwed into the leg.
Question

How can you become an starting time leg to turn an additional half turn?

I've used rubber washers over the commodities that holds the leg on. The leg tightens against the rubber and not the table lesser. This way, when the leg is tight, you lot all the same have a bit of room to finesse the leg into just the right position. Yous may have to experiment with different thickness washers, or use more than one per leg.
Question

Is the T-nut method less stiff or stronger (or the same) as the top plate method? I have a somewhat heavy bookcase that I desire to install short legs on, and I would like to apply T-nuts.

The T-nut can be used in this application, but it's stronger when it'south bolted from the post and not the flange. Kind of like a binding postal service or a rivet. The way it'southward used in this how to, though, you might have a trouble 1 day in the future when you lot pick up this tabular array and the T-nut comes away with the leg. Alternatively, yous tin can utilize the T-nut in the way I described and and then adhere another piece on peak to cover the flanged bits out.
Question

How do I attach table legs to a piece of slate?

Depending on the look you're going for, I would suggest building a frame that you can just place the slate in, and so attaching the legs to the frame. Alternatively, in that location is a matching contumely slice (usually) about the hanger bolts at a hardware shop. I forget what information technology's called, but it's a brusque, hollow, contumely spiral that's threaded on the inside and threaded or ribbed on the exterior. You tin carefully drill a hole in the slate and pound that in and mucilage it for good measure. Slate isn't hard to drill, merely it'due south a lot of head and heartache if information technology breaks.
Question

How practice I attach my desk to a corner of the wall to support it?

Two i" x 2" pieces of woods at the correct lengths fastened to the wall studs is sufficient, and they will be under--and therefore hidden--by the desk-bound. You can butt the desk against the wall; a couple anchor screws (sunk) through the top of the desk-bound and into that 1" broad strip are ordinarily sufficient. Y'all'll still need a leg under the outer corner of the desk.

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You can often buy table legs, and some of them even come with pre-installed hanger bolts to save you some time.
If you need new table legs, one way to go them is to repurpose material from other sources, including other table legs. You could also cutting fresh material to make new legs.
Table legs are most ofttimes fabricated of forest because they are easier to set upward and attach. Metal table legs may have other types of fasteners that screw into slots on the table's underside.

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Operating power tools is dangerous, then wear a dust mask and safe glasses when cutting wood. Work in a ventilated space and keep other people abroad until you're washed.

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Things Y'all'll Need

Ruler
Pencil
Power drill
Drill bit
Surface plates
Hanger bolts

Ruler
Pencil
Power drill
Drill chip
T-nuts
Hanger bolts

Ruler
Pencil
Wood router
Dust mask
Safety spectacles
Wood glue

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Article Summary Ten

To attach table legs with surface plates, start by picking ones with pre-installed hanger bolts, if possible, since this will save you a pace. If not, buy a packet of hanger bolts for larger tables or dowel screws for smaller tables. Install your hanger bolts inside your table legs by drilling a pilot pigsty that goes into the centre of the leg and then screw a bolt tightly into the top of each leg. Align the square surface plates against the corners and screw the top part of the hanger bolt into the plate. To acquire how to attach legs to a tabular array using T-nuts, keep reading!

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