How can I fix this uneven table?

Question

My daughter and I found this table on the side of the road, for free.  We brought it home discussing what I might do to it to make it more to our liking, but meanwhile decided to put it in the living room and use it as is, since my basement is still full of the dresser I've been working on. However, the metal legs are not quite even - you can see how far off it is by the shadow on the floor under the leg when my daughter pushes the other leg down. Does anyone have suggestions on how to even out the legs so that it doesn't wobble everytime someone touches it? I am wondering about putting a washer between the leg and the table frame where they connect, but not sure if I can or whether it will work.

Z · Answer

I'd put some sticky back felt pads on the bottom of each to protect your floor, adding a thicker on the short leg. You can find them at any store that sells hardware. WM, HoDe, L's and the like. 
Great find!

Barb · Answer

The metal frame is probably bent and could be straightened. You would have to take the top off so you can see where it needs to be tweaked. If that sounds like too much effort, though, the felt pads would be a good stopgap measure.

Lori Jackson · Answer

I am wondering if the frame wasn't meant for a screw-in type furniture leg--I noticed the holes in the bottom of the leg scrolls. A screw-in cap (floor protector) would allow you to adjust or level your table.

Jean Adams · Answer

Good looking find!

Peggy B · Answer

adding a washer may do the trick....add pads to legs so as to not scratch the floors....beautiful find...it looks as is with you other pieces...good luck, let us know what you do with the piece...

Sandra · Answer

Wooden shims under the legs where they are connected to the table top should work.  Pre-drill hole in shim so that they do not split when you attach leg.  (I assume they are attached with wood screws.)  Shims should only go on corner that makes table uneven and not all 4 corners.

Jeanette S · Answer

What a GREAT TABLE! I would have rescued this too! Put pads under all the legs to keep from scratching the floor and you can try a washer to see if that helps. It may take a couple of them considering the amount of space off the floor this is. You might can use shims (paint them black when finished) and turn that side toward the sofa.

Bill C · Answer

Adding a washer at the top isn't going to fix the bottom. Take the top off the table and  twist the frame until it sits level.  Then put the top back on.

AvonelleRed · Answer

Why not remove the wrought iron legs completely, and replace with some sturdy wood legs stained to match the top? The way those legs stick out, I would be constantly bumping into them. If you love the legs, then the advice about using the felt pads is probably going to be your best bet if you don't know someone who could re-bend the legs properly.

Randy · Answer

Buy some self adjusting screw in legs (like on a refrigerator, stove). You will have to play with them until they are level. Might want to spray paint black to match the base.

Jac · Answer

In your orig. pic, the leg in the forefront appears to be out of alignment. Maybe it landed on it when it was dropped off? It wouldn't take much to effect balance. I would check that all four feet are pointing in the proper direction before attaching something to the bottom of one - which very well may be visible. Good find. Good luck!

153091 · Answer

Did you try laying the top of table (upside down) on rug, not wood floor, and where you see the iron bars crossing one another at center..gently, but using firmness, push down where they cross, that shouldl make the legs even. On your wood floor black pads would protect floor.

Tegma · Answer

It may be poor eyesight, but it seems to me that the legs facing outward in this picture, is warped looking. If that is the case, then that leg would be shorter, and all it should need is to be pushed ourtward to even it out.

Judy · Answer

I'd try Jan B's idea first. If that doesn't work or if the rods are welded together where they cross you'll need to go to plan B. It does look like something was originally screwed into the base of each leg, probably to protect the floor & if you can find adjustable floor protectors that would do the trick. If you're handy you could probably use 4 small blocks or discs of wood (sliced off of a dowel?), one or two (opposite corners) a bit taller than the others to compensate for the difference, screwed on & painted black to match the metal with a stick on felt pad on the bottom so the screw head wouldn't scratch the floor. Use a level on the table top to determine if it's one leg that's shorter or both opposite legs. 
 Love the table & good luck.

Cindy D. · Answer

I did pick up some felt-bottomed screw in leveler feet, but turns out that only 3 of the legs have a hole somewhat near the bottom - they're not quite at the bottom, but I could've made them work, except the fourth leg the hole is about 2 inches higher up on the curve. I was thinking I could try drilling a hole where it would be more helpful, but the screws are longer than the metal is deep, so those won't work out anyway. I am thinking that maybe the bottom of this table was made and matched to the top, or at least didn't come originally with this top (maybe had a glass top? idk). I think you are right, those who caught that the leg looks a bit off. I will try pushing on where the braces cross to see if that changes things - and Judy, I hadn't thought of whether both legs are shorter or just the one, thanks for bringing that up! I will be using a level to figure this out.

153091 · Answer

Try 'sticky' black felt pads....let us know if pushing down on the cross section helps...

How can I fix this uneven table?

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