Table Legs

8 years ago

Im putting a 100 yr old library table back together but having a difficult time of it.

Question: When I tighten hanger bolt to attach legs do I just assume that everything will be pulled square and tight.... or should I be futzing around with my level and square to ensure they go on straight? Reason I ask is that I did the former (assumed that just tightening the bolt was all I needed to do) and now I find that while the table top and side rails and bottom shelf are all reasonably level, the legs are NOT straight up and down. 3 of the legs are all kind of at a slant in one direction, and one leg is slanting the other direction! Arghhh.

Or does it matter - reality check please! Tthe legs are about 1/2- 3/4 inch off from being straight up and down and visually I notice it but I dont know if the average person would. .

It could be the wood is too messed up from sitting in someone else's garage a gazillion years (had to deal with some warpage in reassembling the table top) and it may be I just will accept having a wonky old table

Or is there something about how to assemble the table that Im missing? Should Iattach the table top to the side rails (apron) first and THEN the legs?

Thx all

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

User
8 years ago
Are you putting each leg back in it's original location?

Wood moves and acclimatizes to the humidity. It also changes because of age. You said you had to deal with some warpage with the top. That almost has to factor into the leg problem.

Try shims opposite the incorrect angle. Won't take very thick shims to correct an incorrect angle. Waxed paper folded into a shim might be the easiest.
Debbie Downer thanked User
klem1
8 years ago
Mac's suggestions are worth a try. If it doesn't look right after a couple of attempts,put it togeather and use it a month to see if imprefections add character.
Related Professionals
Lawton Cabinets & Cabinetry · Santa Rosa Cabinets & Cabinetry · Rapid City Cabinets & Cabinetry · Macon Carpenters · Philadelphia Carpenters · Hilton Head Island Carpenters · Orangeburg Carpenters · Knoxville Carpenters · Mission Viejo Carpenters · Chatham Carpenters · Emporia Flooring Contractors · Florence Flooring Contractors · Charleston Flooring Contractors · Marinette Flooring Contractors · Bismarck Flooring Contractors
Debbie Downer
Original Author
8 years ago
Klem, I often take that approach (just reframe it as a non-problem) but in this case - the wood is just so thick and nice.. So I took it apart entirely and now am getting the apron totally square and attaching to table top before attaching legs. I was trying to attach legs to apron, and then tabletop ... but because the way 1 side rail is entirely cut through for a drawer ... and the wonkiness of the wood corner blocks (vs the more accurate modern metal type) it was impossible to get anything even remotely square .

It still will not be perfect but good enough.