how to attach legs to a table with apron

But if your table is round, three surface plates are enough. Each cleat comes with 4 mounting screws. Mark the four spots where the legs traditionally go. Aprons with drawers often have a narrow rail under the drawers that joins into the leg. For speed and accuracy, I lay a wooden template on the tenon to mark out the haunch and use another one made as the mirror image of that pattern to size the mortise at the haunch end.To cut the mortise for the haunch, I first mark out the sides aligned with the mortise with a mortise gauge, chop the waste, and refine it using the template and a chisel. I'm no expert so I figured the best way to help was to give it to you guys. Unique Solutions for Different Design Problems. But there's a trade-off: A full-height mortise weakens the leg, especially if there are two mortises at the corner of the leg. Secure the router bit in the router and set the depth to the desired depth of the mortise. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Attach the legs to the underside of the furniture using the appropriate hardware (screws, bolts, nuts, etc.). The equipment you need is available online or at most home improvement stores. Goodell has been in love with woodworking for more than two decades. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. I was going to have one table have all 4 legs. Begin by fitting the apron board onto the legs of the table. Leg-to-apron joints must withstand three different kinds of stress. In this second video we are finishing up the aprons and legs. with tenons and mortising To attach the legs to the apron, use either screws or dowels (depending on what type of surface you are working with) Drill pilot holes into both the leg and apron before screwing or hammering in place If using dowels, apply wood glue to both surfaces before attaching depending on whether or not I want them to show. Method 1: Attaching Table Legs Using Metal Plates Requirements 4x Table metal plates Hanger bolts (several) Drill Screwdriver Important Considerations For instance, removing the apron on a large table leaves the table looking completely different. I'm of course talking about the aprons, supports, whatever you want to call them. Remember to fit the leg and apron rails together in order to get an accurate fit. The table cannot be disassembled. but doing so makes one tenon shorter than the other. After driving the screws and tightening, back off 1/4 of a turn. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Keep a firm grip on it with both hands and keep your fingers up on the safety guards. First, cleats recess into the tabletop, a few inches from the edge. The better question is whether you can create a strong joinery that will prevent your table from wobbling. First, position the legs over the threaded inserts and align with the insert holes. Mounting blocks are a great way to attach legs to a table without aprons.They attach to the underside of your furniture with 4 screws (supplied). a consideration. table bases Then use an electric screwdriver to attach them to the tables underside, one from one corner to the next. Position it so its distance from the tip is the same as the length of the bolts. Better still, you can make them yourself. With a thin stick about half the width of an ice-cream stick, I apply a light amount of glue into the mortise and on both tenon cheeks. A matching template made to the negative shape of the one used to check mortises shows where to cut the angled haunch on the tenons. A forum community dedicated to professional woodworkers and enthusiasts. The legs can be easily unscrewed for storage and transport. Exclusive deals. Furniture making is about solid connections, proper joinery practice, and good materials. JavaScript is disabled. A leg will be located at each corner of the square. If the table has an apron skirt, attach it to the apron board using glue, screws, or nails. Hack leaves the outside end of the pin square and holds it with a wrench as he hammers it home. Make sure the attachment is secure enough to prevent wobbling. (147) | Q&A ( 46) Item # 24279 Skip to the end of the images gallery Surface Mount Corner Brackets for Table Aprons Then use a pair of locking pliers or an open-ended wrench to drive them in until theyre fully secured in the legs. Finally, some woodworkers intentionally add furniture skirting to enhance furniture appeal. Then remove the legs and predrill the screw holes to the size of your screws. It will depend on both the size of the table and its intended use. Inset glass panels top the cocktail table, their presence serving to display the . They are installed directly into the underside of your furniture, allowing any leg with a 3/8 wide insert bolt to be installed. A 3/8 x 2 bolt is installed part-way into the leg, the remaining of exposed threads are screwed into the mounting block. Heavier metal legssuch as our Industrial Metal Tapered legsare good for larger, heavier tables. Use a brush for applying on your legs or attach with toothpicks using glue or tape as you go around the leg edge, then place into position onto the bottom. The pilot holes will prevent the wood from cracking later. However, it can be helpful when working on extremely hardwood types. Attach with kreg screws and wood glue (make sure your side apron is being attached perfectly parallel and 3 in from the edge). Required fields are marked *. How do you stabilize a wobbly wood table? THIS HANDWORK IS FAST and accurate enough. Continue reading here: Exposing Your Back Side. Skip to attaching the legs to the surface plates. buy cleats separately from us. Weve provided a quick overview of each process and the required materials and tools. Surface plate kits typically arrive with installation screws. popular McCobb Mid-Century Modern and Wegner Danish Modern designs, you can You can purchase pre-made cleats online. After that, create shallow, rectangular holes along the connecting line. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. "Simple, easy to follow when I didn't have a clue of the names of what I was looking for. Mark all of your mounting holes with the legs in place. Doing this can make the router glide a little more smoothly over the wood. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. A marking gauge extends the lines of the existing mortise that indicate where to cut the angled haunch. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If you need new table legs, one way to get them is to repurpose material from other sources, including other table legs. Remember, though, that the use of aprons adds to the structural integrity of a table, especially with the strength of the three joinery methods discussed above. custom Straight and Angled Metal Plates Metal plates attach to the underside of your furniture with 4 screws (supplied). Rather than glue and clamps, this ingenious system relies on corner blocks and bolts. The tried, traditional and true method of creating sturdy furniture. . The number of dowels used would depend on the dimension of the apron and size of the table you are making. Ideally, the joint should slip together under light clamping pressure. tables. GARRETT HACK is a professional furniture maker and a contributing editor to Fine Woodworking magazine. I cut the haunch on the tenon by hand with a dovetail saw and then clean it up with a chisel. A good rule of thumb is to size the tenon diickness a little more than one-third the thickness of the apron. A fast and easy solution, ideal for 3-legged tables or as a support for center legs on a 6-legged bench or table with angled cleats. If you purchased table legs with pre-installed hanger bolts, skip this part. To make matters worse, the very nature of wood adds to the stress. Holes would be drilled in both the apron end and the leg, glue would be applied, dowels would be inserted in the leg, and then the apron would be attached. ot all aprons call for a single haunched tenon mortised into the leg. However, ensure its strong enough to hold table legs. A table apron also called a table skirt, is a wood panel that connects the legs and tabletop. Oil. Your table apron should now be securely joined to the legs with the hangar bolts. The template makes it easy to check your progress as you cut the angled mortise. Begin by ordering the leg kits online. Corner blocks are beveled on each end and run between aprons at each corner of the table and connected to the aprons on each end using a pocket hole joint. Here are 8 ways how you can easily attach table legs: 1. Image from home-dzine.co.za. But, dont stop simply with the chosen joinery method. I make the tenons at least Y, in., maybe even % in. TENONS ON THE TABLESAW. Learn more You can transform almost any old tabletop by giving it a fresh pair of legs. But what happens if you dont have enough lumber for aprons? A bolt is installed part-way into the leg, the remaining 5/16" of exposed threads are screwed into the metal plate. Recommend Reading: How To Raise The Height Of A Desk. Two other aspects of the tenon affect the joint strength. You can also buy the metal plates separately. The tenons can be tough to cut to the correct size, so work slowly. The most common attachment method is with a dowel jig. Secure the legs to the table top with four more screws. our table legs can be purchased with aprons as a table base or complete table Then, use a power drill to create the pilot hole down through the center. Never use wood screws straight into your table. Operating power tools is dangerous, so wear a dust mask and safety glasses when cutting wood. A fast, easy and inexpensive solution, but only as strong as the material you are attaching the foot to. I prefer to have a shoulder on both sides ofa tenon (rather than one side only) to better resist bending stresses from either direction. This method works best for smaller tables. Also, cut the bottom mortise a little long to accommodate the anticipated movement. They work well on any type of wood table without an apron but are best for unfinished tables. thick. Use the drill bit to make a hole in one end of the saw blade. Then draw lines connecting the two leg spots at each table end. Secure the aprons to the table top using four screws. He has spent over 20 years honing his skills, learning new techniques, and perfecting his designs. You can also buy However, you can use it on larger tables with stronger legs or install more than four legs. Although the apron is critical in some table designs, you can overlook them in others without weakening the table or compromising its aesthetics. . This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b6\/Attach-Table-Legs-Step-18.jpg\/v4-460px-Attach-Table-Legs-Step-18.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b6\/Attach-Table-Legs-Step-18.jpg\/aid4596964-v4-728px-Attach-Table-Legs-Step-18.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. There are many ways to secure/attach table legs and even more ways to make the legs sturdier. If you need more precision when placing the T-nuts, measure out from the edges and mark where each one needs to go. A second option would be to use dowels to join aprons to legs. The mortise and tenon technique is a classic way to create stable tables. Just had in mind a method. Align the apron to the legs and begin tightening the bolts. Then remove the nail with the screwdriver. But I prefer to miter the tenons within the joint without actually joining them. with traditional joinery. Iftenons are mitered. Mark the edges of the mortise on your wood with a pencil or marker. Available for both straight and angled attachments. I put 2 supports perpendicular to the side in the middle of the table for added support as well as all along the length of the table bottom. For small tables with thin legs, try using metal plates called surface plates and screw the legs into them. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Chisel the routed mortise square at the bottom. You may need to get shorter screws or try smaller surface plates. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Butt them together if you have tenons of unequal width. A jig is used to create holes in the apron (on the inside, so it is invisible), and screws are used to connect the apron to the table leg. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. that would be a headache to clean up later. Getting the screws in the right place is tough, so it can easily make your table uneven. Its often used for big tables that require plenty of stability, such as picnic or dining room tables. I hope you enjoyed video two, let me know what you thought! How do you fix uneven legs on a metal table? Mounting blocks are another creative way to attach table legs with aprons. Then insert screws through the leg holes into the insert holes and tighten with a screwdriver. Be wary of the tables thickness so you dont drill all the way through it. Because you rarely see the thickness of an apron, one good design strategy is to make it thicker14, in. Single angled cleats were created specifically to complement our McCobb and Wegner legs and our angled cleats. One is shear a vertical load directly above ajoint. Finally, ensure they are in the upward position as directed by the manufacturer. A typical leg kit for this installation method contains at least four legs and installation screws. I also figured some of you might explain it better as well as give a few different option. Alternatively, use a brad point bit and hammer/mallet to mark the middle of each hole. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f2\/Attach-Table-Legs-Step-17.jpg\/v4-460px-Attach-Table-Legs-Step-17.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f2\/Attach-Table-Legs-Step-17.jpg\/aid4596964-v4-728px-Attach-Table-Legs-Step-17.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Another idea that builds on my frame suggestion above, still relying on flipping the boards vertical, is to make or buy a corner brace. The process is both easy and quick, and pocket hole jigs are not an expensive addition to your equipment inventory. tables, or go for fully custom to select all the features available for custom First, attach the center bolt to the center of the leg, then position it onto the bolt hole on the mounting block and twist the leg clockwise to tighten. shoulder at the bottom of the apron tenon will hide any. However, its not mandatory. Place the furniture upside down on a flat surface. For accuracy, take time to measure out and mark the center point on each leg if you need to. Cleats are almost similar to mounting blocks. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/ca\/Attach-Table-Legs-Step-20.jpg\/v4-460px-Attach-Table-Legs-Step-20.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/ca\/Attach-Table-Legs-Step-20.jpg\/aid4596964-v4-728px-Attach-Table-Legs-Step-20.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Make sure that the board is straight with the legs. Using a router can be dangerous if youre not careful. Each of them will provide excellent strength and stability and help you avoid any wobbling. small inaccuracies in cutting the mortise, and it allows for vertical alignment when the table is assembled. How Tos. Here are 8 ways how you can easily attach table legs: Metal plates attach to the underside of your furniture with 4 screws (supplied). those with a passion for traditional joinery. and such rails have tenons that can't be any higher than the height of the rail, nor probably any longer than the other tenons joining into the leg. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for McCall Pattern Company M6860 Aprons, Oven Mitts, Hat, Slippers and Table Leg at the best online prices at eBay! This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9d\/Attach-Table-Legs-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Attach-Table-Legs-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9d\/Attach-Table-Legs-Step-13.jpg\/aid4596964-v4-728px-Attach-Table-Legs-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Shoving the table sideways or bumping against a leg gives the joints a mixture of twisting forces. will provide larger, stronger shoulders. References. A fast and easy solution for apronless tables, strong enough for almost any application. A tenon the full height of the apron affords lots of glue surface and strength against bending and twisting forces. For instance, you can radically transform a legged sideboard by adding an apron to its front rather than the underside. If you have a dowel jig. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Your email address will not be published. Installing table legs using threaded inserts requires more skill than the first method. 4 Chisel the haunch by hand. Surface plates work best with thin legs less than. Mounting Dowel Screws. Assemble the required metal plates and hanger bolts. fill, but it is worlh taking care to place the glue so as to avoid drips and oozingjoints. If you just want to attach the legs to the table, you can use a table plate -- it attaches to the bottom of the table and has threads for a screw that is screwed into the leg. The legs that came with the kit have a bolt installed part of the way into the leg, and the exposed portion of the bolt is then screwed into the mounting block. lots of glue surface, it would lie the full height of the apron to best resist twisting, and the mortise would be cut front the center of the width of the leg for maximum strength. Or, perhaps, youd like to try an unconventional table design. Legs attach at each end of the cleat; 1 cleat for 2 legs. Surface plates are a good choice for small tables without an apron, which is the series of wood panels some tables have on their underside to join the legs to the tabletop. We recommend installing the inserts by hand using a T-wrench. Additionally, dont forget to predrill center bolt holes where the legs will attach. You can also use a table saw with a sliding miter fence or do it by hand. The following are the five best ways to attach legs to a table without an apron. Once the legs were done, it was time for a dry fit. Determine where the plates will go, typically at the corners on the tables underside. Also, as a tabletop that is fastened too tightly to the apron expands or shrinks, it can try to twist the joints. Metal Small hardwood pins will hold the joint tightly, even if the glue fails. Matt is an experienced woodworker and a devoted family man. Leave the leg long and trim to size after mortising. There is a list of all the necessary equipment you might need to attach the table legs with a surface plate: Table surface plates; Hanger bolts; Electric screwdriver; Drill machine; With the bridal joint, depending on how tight the radius is, you can hand plane a small 'flat' so that you're not trying to cut a bridal slot in the top of the leg with a radius to match. So the strength of such ajoint relies almost entirely on the glue bond because the mechanical strength is compromised. While shopping, compare the hanger bolts to the surface plates to ensure they are compatible. There is no exact place to put them beside keeping them equidistant, so it depends on where you want them. glue surface. For a faster, easier and equally strong alternative to traditional joinery, opt for our exclusive EasyBase design that brings mortise and tenons into the 21 st century. 1 have butted tenons together inside the leg. Read our entire Affiliate Policy. they are a workable solution. of course. They butt against the leg and resist bending and twisting forces trying to lever apart the joint. However, due to me being so green to the art of woodworking I'm afraid I don't know the terminology. Earlier, we mentioned the belt and suspenders method of connecting aprons to legs, and here we are at the suspenders. Where do you want to install the legs? Although his mortises often require additional handwork, Hack cuts most of them with a machine he made from scrap parts. Tighten the bolts until they are firmly in place and the apron is secured to the legs. To attach table legs to an apron, first make sure the socket head is inserted into the top hole of the apron. There are three joinery methods to consider when assembling a table with an apron. While the aesthetic function of aprons can certainly be ignored, the strength of the table and its resistance to wobbling should not be. Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. A mortise longer than 4 in. Leg-to-apron joints must withstand three different kinds of stress. The ideal metal plates will depend on the type of project. Begin with two screws on one side of the table top, then two screws on the opposite side. Small shoulder at the bottom ensures a clean line at the joint. This design offers additional strength because the tenons interlock. Once they were cleaned up at the planer, it was then to the jointer for square milling then back to the planer to make faces parallel. Mid-Century Modern, Thinner legs attached to solid or dense wood