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How To Attach Legs To A Table Without Apron Like an Expert?

How To Attach Legs To A Table Without Apron

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Are you looking for a new table? This could be a coffee table, dining room table, or any other heavier table you need.

Table legs are the unsung heroes of your dining room. They’re what keep everything together, but they can also be the most frustrating part of setting up a larger table.

You want to make sure that your table is stable and level, but it’s hard to get them just right without any help from an extra set of hands. Now let’s check how to attach legs to a table without apron in simple steps.

Before we proceed, let’s look at some things we need to know.

What is Apron?

What is Apron

The apron is a horizontal length of board that is fastened along the edge of the top of a complete table frame to support the rails. It can also be used on chairs, dressers, and other furniture.

The apron is the most important part of a table corner that has to be fitted exactly or it will not look good as expected.

It protects the tabletop from any damage. It gives a nice look also.

Some aprons are attached to the underside of your table legs using a screw and washer, while other aprons will be fastened to your top rails with matching screws.

Why Should Someone Attach Legs to a Table Without an Apron?

Why Should Someone Attach Legs to a Table Without an Apron

It all depends on what you want to do with your finished table. If you’re planning to move the entire table, then it’s not such a good idea because removing the apron will make assembly much more difficult.

However, if you plan to leave it in one place or don’t intend to move it at all, an apron isn’t necessary and may even be an added hindrance.

What Types of Screws Will You Need to Install Your Table Legs?

Table leg installation will require two different types of screws:

(1) a type with a washer head and no point which can be used to attach the legs to the tabletop, and

(2) a type with a flat head that can be used to attach cross pieces.

A type with a washer head and no point can be used to attach the legs to the tabletop. You’ll want the washer head so that there is extra space for screwing in order to reduce the risk of breaking your fingers when tightening screws. Particularly important if you are installing on your own without any help from someone else.

A type with a flat head that can be used to attach cross pieces. The type of screws with a flathead should match the number and size of holes in your table.

Table, Countertop or Bench Leg Attachment: Choosing the Right Screw

In general, you will want to use a screw that is at least as long as the thickness of your table tops or counter tops. For a bench or chair seat, the right length for screws would be 2-2 1/2 times the thickness of your bench.

Hook bolts are generally used when attaching legs on benches with no aprons. 

You can also use a pre-installed hanger bolt if you want. Hook bolts work by first drilling two holes in the underside of the table so that the bolt can be threaded inserts and secured into place.

Then the hook bolt is placed over the screw hole, grabbing onto it from both sides. The bolt is then tightened using a ratchet or wrench and is not loose again unless loosened manually.

Quick Guide on How to Attach Legs to a Table Without Apron

Quick Guide on How to Attach Legs to a Table Without Apron

Step 01: Measuring for the Hardware

The first thing you’ll need to do is measure the length of each leg from the floor to the center of the hole in the top of each leg foot. This measurement will be needed for ordering hardware.

Step 02: Drilling

Next, drill pilot holes through your wood table into which the legs will be threaded inserts and screwed in place using screws with washers. Be sure that your screws are long enough to penetrate through the frame of your table and into the center leg foot.

If the surface of your table is not perfectly horizontal (this is more likely with a softwood-like pine and less likely with hardwood), resting one side on something that is flat will help keep it level as you’re drilling holes.

Step 03: Attaching

Attach cross-piece under each hole by attaching it with screws (preferably countersunk) at equal intervals around its perimeter, then predrilling pilot holes so that when it’s screwed into place, the screws will be able to reach their intended depth without splitting or warping the piece of wood.

The legs are going to be attached by inserting them through each hole and screwing on a bolt per joint.

Lastly, put hardware covers over all exposed screws to maintain your wood table’s nice finish and appearance.

Also Read: Simple Tips To Straighten A Warped Piece Of Wood

Additional Tips

Additional Tips

Other than replacing the screws with bolts and nuts, a couple of other ways to attach legs to a table without an apron are, attaching them to the underside of the tabletop, or attaching them through pre-drilled holes in the tabletops, using dowels or brackets.

You should also invest in furniture hardware covers for your type of wood table, which you can find at any home improvement store like Home Depot.

Most importantly, it’s very important that your screws be long enough to penetrate through the frame of your table and into the center leg foot.

Precautions & Warnings

Precautions & Warnings

There are some precautions and warnings that can be taken in order to avoid injury.

One way to prevent injury is to wear safety glasses and be sure not to stand underneath the table when attaching the legs and making sure it has been secured before standing on it. If you are working with a partner, make sure they have proper protection as well.

Another way to prevent injury is to use an electric screwdriver instead of an ordinary handheld one because it will hit the screw more often than not, keeping it from stripping. Having the right tools for the job can also be helpful, such as a socket wrench that will make loosening and tightening screws much easier.

Make sure that you have the right tools for the job as well. For example, when using a drill to screw in the legs, use HSS (High-Speed Steel) core bits because they are best at cutting through things such as metal.

Using these bolts that have already been coated with a layer of zinc can also be really nice because it takes all the rust off, making them look good and allowing them to last much longer.

Summary & Suggestions

Summary & Suggestions
  • The first thing you’ll need to do is measure the length of each leg from the floor to the center of the hole in the top of each leg foot. This measurement will be needed for ordering hardware.
  • Next, drill pilot holes through your wood table into which the legs will be inserted and screwed in place using screws with washers.
  • Lastly, attach a cross-piece under each hole by attaching it with screws (preferably countersunk) at equal intervals around its perimeter and then pre-drilling pilot holes so that when it’s screwed together, there are no gaps between pieces.
  • Make sure your screws are long enough to penetrate through the frame of your table and into the center leg foot.
  • Use HSS (High-Speed Steel) core bits because they are best at cutting through things such as metal. Using these bolts that have already been coated with a layer of zinc can also be really nice because it takes all the rust off, making them look good and allowing them to last much longer.
  • Be sure not to stand underneath the table when attaching the legs and ensure it has been secured before standing on it. If you are working with a partner, make sure they have proper protection as well.
  • To prevent injury is to use an electric screwdriver instead of an ordinary handheld one because it will hit the screw more often than not, keeping it from stripping. Having the right tools for the job can also be helpful, such as a socket wrench that will make loosening and tightening screws much easier.
  • You should use rust-proofing spray on your metal table legs, which can be found at most home improvement stores like Home Depot. After spraying, make sure to rinse it with clean water. This will provide a protective coating to prevent your legs from rusting.
  • Use furniture hardware covers for your wood tables, which you can find at any home improvement store.
  • If you would like to apply a stain or paint of your own choosing, then make sure to test it on an inconspicuous area first to avoid any harm being done.

Some Common FAQs Regarding the Blog

Some Common FAQs Regarding the Blog

What is the best material for attaching table legs?

In general, screws should be long enough to penetrate through the frame of your table and into the center leg foot.

For a bench or chair seat, Screws should be 2-2 1/2 times the thickness of your bench. When attaching legs to benches without aprons, hook bolts are generally used.

Can you put the table in water to clean it?

A table or other furniture that is made of natural material, such as wood or reclaimed wood, can be soaked in plain water to remove dirt and grime.

A table or other furniture that is made of synthetic material should be wiped with a damp cloth.

Why is it important to use hook bolts?

The most common way to attach table legs to a tabletop without an apron is using ‘hook bolts’ though it may take a little extra time, we advise you to try installing the feet first before assembling the rest of the table.

Hook bolts are made out of steel and have two hooks on either side. The bolt is screwed into one hole on the tabletop surface, then inserted through another threaded hole in each leg foot and tightened with nuts (some more than others).

When fully tightened, these types of bolts can be difficult to remove, so make sure you’ve measured correctly or test fit your legs first before putting everything together for good. This process can also be reversed, but removing these screws requires quite a bit more effort.

Would this technique work on benches and chairs as well as tables?

Yes, in general, most of these techniques would work for any furniture piece with four legs. Most of the time the more complex an item is to assemble the less likely it is that you’ll have to attach a tabletop without the apron.

For benches and chairs, screw length should be 2x-2 1/2 times thicker than the thickness of the bench or chair seat.

Would there be any problem using this method on a marble table?

Yes, it would not be a good idea to attach table legs to a marble table using this method. One issue is the look of visible screw heads. Most people do not like the way screws emerge through natural-looking materials such as wood or stone.

Another problem with this system on marble surfaces is that many types of wood screws can actually damage soft and porous marble.

Last Thought

In order to attach legs to a table without an apron, there are many things to keep in mind, but if you do it right, you can make your own table stand steady forever.

This blog has hopefully provided you with woodworking skills with all the information you need on how to attach legs to a table without apron. Nothing is worse than working on a project and getting frustrated because of poor workmanship, so we tried our best to make things as easy as possible for you.

Lastly, we hope this article has helped you in the way we wanted, and you will find everything going smoothly as you wish.

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