You can change almost any old table by giving it a new set of legs.You can use many different mechanisms, but they are not as difficult to understand as they seem.For tables with thin legs, try using metal plates called surface plates.If you want to move the table a lot, you need to install small inserts called T-nuts directly into the tabletop.Cutting slots in the wood for parts to plug into is an option for big tables.
Step 1: Purchase the table surface plates.
There are two surface plates to choose from.Straight surface plates allow you to set the legs in a diagonal manner.You can install both of them the same way.To connect the legs, you will need a set of matching bolts that are the same size as the central opening in the plates.There are screws at both ends that connect to a surface plate.Plates and bolts can be purchased at a home improvement store.To make sure the bolts are compatible, compare them to the surface plates.There will be a size listed on the packaging.The wood panels on the underside of some tables make them a good choice for small tables without an apron.The surface plates work best with thin legs.
Step 2: Place the surface plates on the corners of the table.
Before securing the surface plates, you need to know where they will go.The corners on the underside of the table are where they typically go.The plates should be equidistant, meaning an equal distance from the table's edges.If you want the legs to slant in the right direction, turn the surface plates so the elevated portions are opposite of the table's corners.If you need a more precise estimate of where to put the plates, mark where each one goes and measure out from the table edges.It depends on where you want them to be, because there isn't an exact place to put them.Hold the legs up to the plates to test them.If the legs don't look right, adjust the plates before putting them in place.
Step 3: Place the surface plates on the table.
There are screws you need to install the surface plates.The screws fit the holes around the plate's outer edge.Make sure the screws aren't long enough to pierce through the entire table before installing the plate.Attach the surface plates to the table's underside with an electric screwdriver.Measure the length of the screws and compare it to the table's thickness.You might need to get shorter screws or smaller surface plates.It can be difficult to screw the plates on.Ask someone else to hold onto them so they don't slide out of position.
Step 4: Unless you have pre-installed bolts, drill a pilot hole through the center of the table legs.
The top portion of the table is supposed to face you.The pilot hole can be created with a power drill.The pilot holes will keep the wood from cracking.To make them, use a drill bit that is roughly the same size as the bolts you plan on using.The bolts are long, so drill holes that are as deep as possible.If you purchase legs with pre-installed hanger bolts, you don't need to do this.The legs should be attached to the surface plates.You could use bolts that are 16 in (0.79 cm) in diameter.The lowest drill bit size is usually 64 in.The bolts are larger than the pilot holes.Wrap a piece of tape around the drill bit to prevent it from being too far into the wood.The distance from the tip to the bolts is the same.Wait until the tape touches the hole.
Step 5: The center of each leg is where the hanger bolts should be installed.
You should put a bolt in each of the pilot holes.Once the bolts are inside the legs, turn them clockwise by hand.To continue, use locking pliers or an open-ended wrench.Turn the bolts until they are locked.To make sure the bolts fit, place a pair of metal nuts on them.Attach the bolt to the wood with a wrench and tighten the nuts.When you are done, use a wrench to turn the nuts.
Step 6: Attach the bolts to the plates.
Aligning the legs with the hole in the center of the surface plate is all it takes to finish the installation.To secure them in place, twist the legs clockwise.When you are done, flip the table to make sure it is level.It's easy to install a leg with surface plates.The positioning is likely to be at fault if the legs don't seem right.As needed, move the legs or the surface plates.
Step 7: Purchase some nuts and bolts.
T-nuts attach to the table's underside.The central opening of each T-nut is used to secure a table leg.When selecting T-nuts, make sure to compare them to the bolts you plan on using.The opening on the T-nuts is the same diameter as the bolts.Most home improvement stores have the equipment you need.T-nuts are useful for tables.They work well on any type of wood table without an apron, but are best for unfinished tables.T-nuts are a good choice for covering the table with another piece of wood or upholstery.You can use threaded inserts if you can't find T-nuts.Similar to circular fasteners, threaded inserts install the same way.
Step 8: The T-nuts should be positioned near the table.
You need to flip the table to figure out where to put the T-nuts.Keeping the T-nuts equidistant from the table's edges is the most important part.The location of the legs is dependent on where you want them to be.They can be moved according to your preference.Measure from the edges and mark where you want the T-nuts to go.
Step 9: The base of the table.
The spots where the legs will be placed need to be created.The holes should be the same size as the openings.Refer to the length and diameter of the T-nuts you plan on using to find the exact size.The packaging will have a label on it.A common T-nut diameter is 16 in (0.79 cm).Same-sized holes can be created with a power drill.You don't want to drill all the way through the table.If your table is too thin, use shorter T-nuts.
Step 10: Use a hammer to get the T-nuts into the holes.
Put a T-nut in the holes you drilled.The circular end should be face up.Slowly tap each T-nut until it is level with the wood.There is a central circle with a smaller opening at the opposite end of each T-nut.The side that goes into the wood.The small blades that pass into the wood as you hammer come from the base of each T-nut.
Step 11: If the table legs have pre-installed bolts, drill a pilot hole through the center of them.
The legs should be arranged so the top part of the table faces you.Refer to the diameter of the screws you bought for the pilot holes.The drill size should be slightly smaller.When you are ready, drill holes that are the same length.If you need to mark the center point on each leg, take time to measure out.Wrap a piece of tape around the drill bit to make the pilot holes.The distance from the tip to the bolts is the same.If you want the tape to touch the wood, drill down into it.If you bought table legs with pre-installed bolts, skip this part.The legs should be attached to the T-nuts.
Step 12: The legs of the table have bolts on them.
Attach a bolt to each leg.Once the bolts are in place, turn them by hand and then use a locking pliers or an open-ended wrench to finish the job.The legs should not come out when you turn the table over.The bolts should be straight in the legs.The legs will appear crooked if you attach them to the T-nuts.If you want to make this part easier, put a pair of metal nots on the end of the hanger screws.Use the nuts to tighten the screws after you slip the screw into the wood.Remove the nuts.
Step 13: The legs should be put on the T-nuts with the table in the background.
There are threaded openings in the center of the T-nuts.As far as you can, turn them clockwise.The legs have to fit against the table.If the finished product looks level and sturdy, you should flip the table.The legs have to be even with the table.A simple but effective installation hides the hardware because the bolts fit in the threaded holes.
Step 14: Before cutting the table, make sure to wear a dust mask and glasses.
The cutting process can release dust and wood shards.If you can, work outside to reduce the amount of dust you have to contend with.Don't wear a long-sleeved shirt, gloves, or jewelry that could get caught by the saw.A well-ventilated workspace is a good place to work if you can't work outdoors.To get more of the dust out, open up nearby doors and windows.If you have a chance to clean up, keep other people and pets out of the area.
Step 15: If there isn't an apron on the table, you can cut the boards into rails.
An apron is created by the rail boards between the table legs.The legs need to be rough fit near the table corners.Measure the length and size of the boards between them.You should cut 4 boards so you have one for each leg.To figure out how long the apron rails need to be, measure the distance between the middle part of each leg.Depending on where you place the legs, the size of the boards will vary.When the legs are placed near the table corners, they are easy to fashion.Wood panels are attached to the underside of your table if it already has an apron attached.Remove the apron rails or screw the legs to them if you want to skip this part.A mortise and tenon joint is used to connect pieces of wood.The slot is cut into the legs of the table.A tenon is a same-sized projection.Stable tables can be created using the mortise and tenon technique.It is often used for big tables that require a lot of stability.It can also be done with metal.
Step 16: There are spots to cut in the boards.
There are tenons on the apron rails that can be plugged into the table legs.Depending on the table you are working with, these slots can vary.For a simple table, you can measure from the edge of each leg to make a mortise of the same size.The leg and apron rails need to be fit together in order to get an accurate fit.The tenons plug into the mortises once they are cut.
Step 17: Cut the table legs with a tool.
You push a mobile tool along wood to cut shapes.It can be used to cut a mortise in the center of each leg.Carefully move around the outlines after marking the cuts you need to make.Take care not to cut more than 34 of the way through the table legs.If you are not careful, using a routers can be dangerous.Keep a firm grip on it with both hands and keep your fingers up on the safety guards.Shut it off when you are done.One way to make the cutting process easier is to drill holes at the ends of the mortises.If you do this you can make the router glide a little more smoothly.The apron rails will connect the legs with a pair of mortises.Make sure the cuts are smooth.If you don't have a router, you can use a jig to drill holes into the rail.Put wood dowels into the holes.The pieces will be pushed together just like with a tenon design.
Step 18: The aprons have tenons on them.
There are tenons that fit into the slots.Put one on the end of the rail according to your outline.The tenon rests against the uncut portion of the rail.It is difficult to cut the tenons to the correct size.You can always chip off the excess material if you keep them a little bigger.
Step 19: To make sure the apron rails fit, place them into the legs.
The legs should be positioned near the corners of the tables.Plug the apron rails into them.The tenons will join perfectly when they are cut to the right size.You will not be able to see the tenons.You might need to trim a little more to get them to fit.If you have to shave them down, use a chisel to gradually reduce them.
Step 20: All of the pieces should be secured using wood glue.
Take apart the joints and coat them with wood glue.Use something strong, such as carpenter's glue.If you aren't using wood, make sure you choose something compatible with the material you're using.Attach the pieces back together and put them in place for 24 hours to dry.Before turning the table over, let the pieces dry completely.The rails and legs should be pushed together until the glue is solidified.The rails and legs can be screwed together.It can be difficult to get the screws in the right place.The screws have to be drilled through the table legs and into the rails.