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How to reinforce table legs for my first DIY table?

Dear Community,

I have made my first every DIY table, with Merbau 220X60X2.6cm as tabletop, Merbau 4.2X4.2cm as legs, using metal mounting plate to mount legs into table top. I found a problem that when I hold the leg and attempt to move in the direction as in indicated by red arrow in the first photo, is feels a little bit wobbly. It feels steady when moving in the direction indicated by green arrow.

I suspect the cause is the mounting plate is not strong enough (it is 1.1mm thick). Appreciate if any suggestion I can reinforce it to make it more steady in the red arrow direction. If the suggestion is to use brackets, any specific models that are suitable and readily available to be purchased from Bunnings?

Thanks,

Alfred

first DIY tablemounting plate

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JacobZ

Hi @alfredx,

Nice work with your table, it looks fantastic.

The issue is not really because of the mounting plate although it does play a small part.

The reason you are experiencing issues with movement is because there is no lateral bracing between the three individual legs. Along the green lines, the timbers connecting the two upright timbers maintain the shape of the legs and brace the legs against lateral movement.

Along the red line, the only thing stopping movement is the screws through the plate into the tabletop. Due to the thickness of the tabletop, you can only use short screws, which will never be able to create enough tension to stop this movement.

The solution is to add timber pieces along the lines I have shown below.

By connecting the three sets of legs, everything will be braced to prevent the lateral movement you are currently experiencing.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Jacob

alfredx

Great suggestion @JacobZ.

Yes, the screw used with tabletop is only 18mm, although I thought about using 25mm but too close to the 26mm thickness of table top.

I checked my leftover timber of 4.2X4.2cm Merbau, it's only enough to add two timber pieces of the length as you suggested. Although it is not a big deal as I can make a purchase, I wonder if I can reinforce legs with less timber. One candidate approach I can think of is to create a shorter pieces of timber with both ends cut with 45 degree, then I can screw one end of it to a leg, and the other end onto table top, as indicated by below picture.

Would this provide enough strength to prevent lateral movement?

Another idea I had in mind was that since the problem is the screws go into tabletop is too short, I wonder if replacing them with threaded inserts would help making it hold the leg tighter? Yet searching within Bunnings website, there doesn't seem to be many options to choose from though.

Thanks,

Alfred

45 degree bracket

JacobZ

Hi @alfredx,

Yes, some 45-degree braces will work, but it is not a great option on the outside of the two outside legs.

If you were happy having short braces right up to the edge of the table, then this will certainly work, but I think longer cross braces will look a bit cleaner.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

alfredx

Hi @JacobZ,

Right, there is little space to add a 45-degree brace for the legs on the side close to table edge. Not too sure by 'longer cross braces', were you referring to above option you suggested with four red lines, or it is a different from that?

Thanks/Alfred

JacobZ

Hi @alfredx,

Apologies for the confusion. Yes, by "longer cross braces" I meant the braces along the four red lines I mentioned above.

This solution will give you a lot more strength than the small angled braces as you are essentially tying all three legs together. This means for one to move laterally, all three legs will need to move laterally.

Your plan for small angled braces will work, but there isn't much room on the outside of the legs and you would definitely need a brace here.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

alfredx

Hi @JacobZ,

Thanks for clarifying, it is more because of my understanding as I am not native English speaker.

I am planning to take the approach you suggested as I do hope to make the legs stronger. I also looking to be able to uninstall and re-install the table when moving home. So wonder if we have any thoughts in regards to how to join the four pieces to existing legs, pocket joint with screws?

Thanks,

Alfred

MitchellMc

Hi @alfredx.

Using a pocket hole jig would be a neat solution and work well for your cross-braces. You'd then also be able to remove the braces easily when needing to disassemble the table.

Mitchell

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