How do I fix a wobbly table?

If your table wobbles, there are some quick and easy ways to address the problem.

Tutorial

The first thing you have to decide when you have a wobbly table is why it wobbles. There are several possibilities, including the fact that the table’s legs are not all touching the ground at the same time. If that’s the problem, be sure that your table is on a level spot, especially if it just started wobbling for no apparent reason. It could be that you have floorboards buckling and this is your first sign of that problem. Then be sure that all the legs of the table are pointed straight in the direction they are supposed to point. If you have a leg out of alignment, it could be pushing one side of the table higher and causing the table to wobble. Some tables have adjustments on the legs and you can turn a screw to make one or more legs longer or shorter to solve the problem. You can also shave some off the legs that are too long or (for a temporary fix) shove folded cardboard under the shorter leg.

If the problem is that table legs have become loose, don’t worry because there are some quick fix ideas for those problems too. If there are screws holding the legs on, be sure they’re tight. If they’ve wallowed out the holes and won’t tighten, buy slightly larger wood screws that will get tight. If the screws almost get tight enough, you can use wood glue or carpenters’ cement on the screws – just cover them with the glue and screw them back into their places.

Glue is a good idea if the table leg is the type that has a screw coming from the top of the leg that screws into a hole on the bottom of the table. When that screw will no longer tighten, you can put glue on the screw and tighten it to the point of being snug. When the glue dries, you’ll have a tight fit again.

It’s usually a good idea to turn the table up side down to work on it, especially if you are sure you can get the repaired legs at the correct angle. Letting the glue dry without the weight of the table on the legs can help you get a better set.