What's a good way to repair a warped wooden table!?

Amanda Meklin
by Amanda Meklin
  3 answers
  • C. D. Scallan C. D. Scallan on Jun 02, 2017

    Can you post a picture of the table so we can see what you're working with ?

  • Brenda L Herrling Brenda L Herrling on Jun 02, 2017

    1 Hold a straight board on top of the table on its edge. Sweep the board across the table. Watch the point where the edge of the board contacts the table. You will be able to see under the board as you move it over any warps or deviations in the top of the table. Mark all of the high points and low points with a pencil.

    2 Place the sander on the tabletop. Grab it with both hands. One hand should be on the front knob. The other hand should be on the pistol-like grip. Pull the trigger and begin sweeping the sander forward and back over the tabletop, always moving parallel to the grain. Sweep 6 inches forward, and 5 inches back in a slightly oval pattern. Don't ever let the sander remain still; keep it moving.

    3 Sand off all of the pencil marked high points first. When they are sanded off, lightly sweep over the low marked spots until the table has a consistently bare wood sanded look. Turn off the sander and set it aside.

    4 Sweep the board over the top again. Mark any more high or low spots that you can find. Resand the table as you did before. Sweep the board over the table again, sand and repeat until the board sweeps over the table and remains flat against the top.

    5 Finish by sanding the top of the table with an oscillating tool equipped with a hook and loop pad accessory and a 120-grit sandpaper accessory or with 120-grit sandpaper attached to a hand block. Sand in forward and backward strokes, moving 4 inches forward and 3 inches back. Always move parallel to the grain. Sand the top until it is consistently smooth without any scratches. Found here: http://homeguides.sfgate.com/flatten-tabletop-99016.html includes a video for this project. Please post before and after photos - would love to see your project and the finished results.

  • C. D. Scallan C. D. Scallan on Jun 02, 2017

    It looks like the top two layers are warped but the bottom looks solid . You might try prying off the top two layers of wood . Take measurements of the diameter of the circle so you can get replacements. I've found that if ask nicely , most lumber stores will cut it for you . After you sand it and clean up , you can use wood glue and C clamps (use an old rag or something between the clamp and the wood so you don't scar it) to secure the new top. I might still use a few wood screws as well . Then you can repaint the entire table .