How do I tighten legs on an old table?

Debbie
by Debbie
I have an old table that has wobbly legs. How can I tighten them up?
Thank you.
Debbie
  6 answers
  • Colleen McAllister Colleen McAllister on May 21, 2017

    Depends on how they are attached. If screwed on simply tighten the screws. If the holes are worn try breaking off a burnt wooden match on the hole, add a touch of wood glue, then screw the legs back on.

    • Debbie Debbie on May 21, 2017

      Thank you Colleen. It is an old table with the legs just stuck in a hole. Legs are not screwed into the wood.

  • Sighle Kujawa Sighle Kujawa on May 21, 2017

    You can remove the legs, put a toothpick or 2 (depends on how many you need to make it tight, in the hole for the legs and put them back in. Toothpick(s) should help make the hole tighter by replacing some of the worn wood. Same principle as the wooden match sticks.

  • Joanne B. Joanne B. on May 21, 2017

    My dad used to soak butchers string in glue and then wrap the screws with it. Then he would wait for it to get tacky and screw them back in. Worked very well.

  • Sharon Sharon on May 21, 2017

    You could also try some plumbers teflon tape wrapping it around the screws a few times.

  • Colleen McAllister Colleen McAllister on May 25, 2017

    If you can remove them, then simply re-glue them on with a sturdy wood glue. If they would be damaged by removing them try using the wood glue like a caulk and pipe it around the place where the leg and table join.

  • Debbie Debbie on May 25, 2017

    Thank you