How to attach glass table top?

Julie
by Julie

I have this vintage shoe shine box. I would like to attach a glass table top and use it as an accent table. any suggestions?

  22 answers
  • Recreated Designs Recreated Designs on Dec 27, 2020

    Hi Julie, what a cool piece! usually, when you add glass for a table top it is just set on top. When you have the glass cut to the specific size you need, you attach little felt circles under the corners and then set the glass on top. The weight of the glass will keep it in place.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Dec 27, 2020

    Since the top isn’t flat, you will need some spacers for the edge. Cutting some slices of wood would work. Another option is to lay on the side.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Dec 27, 2020

    You would need spacers on all 4 corners which might need suction cups so the glass does not move.

    You might consider a frame built around the outside of the box that a piece of glass would fit onto. It would be held in place by the edges of the frame.

    What a beautiful piece of furniture, looks to be in great shape.

  • Take it to a glass cutting company. They will be able to advise you on the best way to place a piece of glass on it. It's a great piece!

  • Annie Annie on Dec 27, 2020

    I wouldnt attach glass. Instead use little clear plastic/rubber buttons between glass and wood. It will be non slip, but removable too.

  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on Dec 27, 2020

    I would suggest taking it to a glass cutter and let them tell you how to do it since it isn't flat on top and you don't want it to slide off for safety reasons

  • Robyn Garner Robyn Garner on Dec 27, 2020

    It would be tricky to put glass on top due to the additional wood pieces.


    It looks to be very well sealed with varnish or poly. Why not use it as a table as is? Put those little felt feet under anything that will "live" on the table so they don't scratch it, like a lamp.

    Place it where no one will put drink glasses on it or instruct everyone to use coasters.

    When you entertain put the coasters on the table for people to use.

    It really is quite small and I don't think there would be much that anyone would "accidentally" put on the piece. At least try this out and if you find you really need glass on top, you can then do so 😎

  • Maura White Maura White on Dec 27, 2020

    You'll have to get custom glass cut because of the center. They would be the best people to advise you on how to attach it.

  • Support and glass thickness are going to be the biggest challenges. It won't be able to hang over the table too much without support. I would speak to a glass shop and ask them what they suggest. If you like the size of the box now, you might just want to put a glass sheet on top of it to protect it.

  • Deb K Deb K on Dec 27, 2020

    Hello Julie, you can have a round or square glass cut, you will need some support, maybe some wood blocks painted the same color as the piece, the glass shop may have some ideas for you as well. Once you get an even surface, use rubber dots to keep the glass from sitting directly on the wood

    https://www.amazon.com/customerpicks/Explore-rubber-dots-for-glass/3d5c5333e719f70a9195

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Dec 27, 2020

    Hi! I have a piece of glass to protect my desktop. I didn't like the little rubber feet that were available, so I raised it off the surface using a rug secure. I'll find a link to one so you can see what I mean. They are the things you use to keep the rug from slipping on a hardwood floor. I cut small squares out of one and they work well. Good luck and I'll find that link for you.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Dec 27, 2020

    Hello. The top would need to be leveled prior to glass placement. It would benefit to be built up with potentially horizontal strips of wood if you wanted the glass top to be level.

    It could be floating much like a shadowbox frame as an alternate way to accomplish the leveling.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Dec 28, 2020

    Hello there,

    You can buy Suction caps to put under the glass or stick clear domes on under glass to stop movement.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Dec 28, 2020

    What a unique treasure! It is the outline of the shoe sole that identifies the former life of the piece. Covering it up with supports and a glass top would IMO hide the visual appeal of repurposing it into a table.


    The top of the shoe sole outline in the centre appears to be several inches higher than the rest of the top of the box. From the photo that you posted, it also appears to be slightly rounded, not flat. I think trying to securely balance a piece of glass on top of this structure will be very difficult, and whether it would be able to take additional weight on top of the glass is questionable.


    My suggestion is to clean and shine the box, and use it just as it is.



  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Dec 29, 2020

    I would make 4 small circles out of hot glue to hold the table in place then put the glass on it after putting circles in each corner.

  • Mogie Mogie on Dec 29, 2020

    If you want to be able to remove the glass top try Museum Putty or even play dough.

    If you want this to be permanent you can use CLEAR Gorilla Glue.

  • Lindsay Aratari Lindsay Aratari on Dec 29, 2020

    Hot glue

  • Julie Julie on Dec 30, 2020

    Thanks for ALL your suggestions! Since I want to suspend the glass over the shoe form to hi lite the uniqueness of the piece, I will be taking this to a glass company for the best solution. Thanks again!

  • William William on Dec 30, 2020

    The glass would need to be supported above the shoe form. Some small wood blocks on each corner. Wooden thread spools would look good. Since it is a shoe shine box, I would hot glue two shoe polish cans on top of each other and hot glue them to the top at each corner. 8 cans. Place the glass on top of the cans. make sure you use tempered glass or plexiglass for safety.

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Dec 31, 2020

    when it comes to the glass I would seek help proffessionals .. it needs to be a tempered glass top

  • Use can use clear bumpers (like what you’d find on cabinet doors). Stick them to the box and set the glass atop.

  • Debbie Graham Debbie Graham on Jan 03, 2021

    What about using or making a picture frame with the glass and hinges on the side maybe antique, a latch, so you could still open the shoe box for storage