How to Fix a Wobble on a Trestle Table

A wobbly table leg can be caused by loose fittings, or warped wood that results in different lengths legs. If your trestle table is wobbling, this problem can cause all sorts of frustrations. Items set down on the table might slide off to the floor, and trying to write something while sitting at the table could produce a messy result. Luckily, a wobbly trestle table can be easily fixed with some basic tools. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Assess the extent of the wobble by shaking the table. Do this by firmly gripping the side, and moving it back and forth. If it is moving significantly, then move straight to Step 5. If the table wobbles only a little when you shake it, proceed to Step 2 for a quick fix.

2

Look to see which leg is causing the trestle table's wobble. Crouch down underneath the table, and inspect the bottom of all four legs, where they touch the ground. The wobble is caused by the leg which is raised off the ground. The other leg will be flush with the ground.

3

Cut up small squares of cardboard and slide them into the gap beneath the trestle table's faulty leg. The cardboard squares should be slightly bigger than the base of the table leg. Keep adding squares until the gap is filled and wedged into place to prevent the table from wobbling. This is a quick fix that renders the table immediately more stable.

4

Glue the squares together and then glue the wedge made from the squares to the base of the trestle table's wobbly leg. This method can be used on tables which are not valuable. Using a cardboard wedge is the cheapest and easiest way of fixing the table without having to move it out of the house or use any tools.

5

Turn the table upside down. Get a friend to help you, to avoid dropping it on your toes. Check that the joint between the table leg and the table top has not been damaged or knocked off balance. Either of these problems could be causing the wobble. Use your screwdriver to tighten up the screws at the joint and realign the table leg so it is straight.

6

Replace the faulty leg that is causing the wobble. Simply unscrew the old leg and affix a new one. Since many trestle tables are large and get a lot of daily use, this might be the best long-term solution. If the table is exposed to heat such as from a gas fire or radiator, the wood may become warped, in which case, replacing the leg will be necessary.