How To Stop a Table From Swaying? 6 Easy Solutions
Just got a new table made? But those woodworkers just did not get that one leg right. Now you are stuck with a swaying table?
If you are stuck in a situation like that then you are probably wondering how to stop a table from swaying?
Tables usually sway because one of the legs is smaller than the others. Or sometimes because the joints are weak. There are simple and quick solutions to this problem. And even some “professional” options. These involve a few tools.
So If you are still pondering on how to make your table stand properly, we have just the thing. Our article has an in-depth discussion on your specific problem.
Let’s dive in!
What's On the Page
An Uneven Floor or a Wobbly Table?
Before we try to fix the wobbly leg, we must be sure whether the problem is with the table or not. If the problem is with the floor then whatever you do with the table won’t solve your problem.
So first we must determine whether our floor is even or not. The simplest way to find out if your floor is uneven is to lay a 4- to 6-foot beam level on your floor.
Make sure the beam is straight and sturdy. Lay the beam parallelly on the floor.
Now check the horizontal tube in the level and see if there are any bubbles. Make sure that the beam is floating between the two vertical lines. If there is no bubble then it means the floor is even.
But what if you don’t have a human-sized beam just lying around? Well, then you can use a trusty ball to do the trick. Any round object will be of use in this case.
Use something like a tennis ball or a marble. Anything perfectly round will do. If the object is not perfectly round then it won’t roll accurately to demonstrate whether the floor is level or not.
Now, set the round object down in the middle of the floor. Then watch to see if it rolls.
Stand back and observe which direction it rolls in or whether it stands still. If it does not move then it means the floor is even.
Fixing the Swaying Problem
If you are still reading this article it means that your table is the problem, not the floor. Now there are many ways to fix the swaying of your table. We are dividing the problem into two sections:
Quick Solutions
These are the easy solutions you can do within minutes. These might not be permanent solutions but these will get rid of the swaying.
Slipping Paper Under the Shortest Leg
This is the simplest way to solve the swaying problem. First, you have to identify the smallest leg. Then slip something under the small leg.
Now, whatever is being slipped under the leg must be able to hold the weight of the table. Its thickness must also be appropriate.
Generally, matchboxes are good enough to get the job done. You can also fold a paper multiple times to make it thick enough to be slipped under.
Using Wood Glue To Fill a Wobbly Joint
If the legs are of the same length and the problem is with a joint then this is the way to go. You can fix the wobbling problem by filling the joint of the leg with glue or even epoxy.
Now, flip over the table. And then hold the legs firmly in place. Then fill the gaps in the joints with wood glue. You can unscrew the leg if possible. After unscrewing, fill the joint with wood glue. Make sure to reinstall the leg before the glue dries
If you want, you can use epoxy. Usually wood epoxy is more sturdy than wood glue. But wood epoxy is a little harder to work with than wood glue.
Tightening The Bolt
If the legs are joined by screws or bolts then the swaying might be because of loose bolts or screws. If you recently moved or repositioned the table, the joints may become loose. Even frequent usage might cause the loosening.
Now to solve the issue you need a screwdriver or any other hardware you need. Then look into each joint and Identify loose joints. Then retighten screws and bolts of the loose joints to get rid of the swaying.
Permanent Solution: Leveling The Uneven Leg
If the temporary solution won’t do for you, you may want to level the leg. This will be a longer lasting solution to the problem. But these solutions are a bit harder to pull off.
For Tables With Adjustable Glides
Some tables have glides, which are adjustable pads on the bottom of furniture legs. The glides rest on the floor.
If your table has glides and isn’t level, then solving the problem is pretty easy. Just twist them counterclockwise. This will adjust the table’s leg’s length.
You can twist the glides counterclockwise to make a table leg longer. Twisting the glider clockwise to make the glides shorter.
Continue adjusting the gliders until all the legs of your table are even and the table is stable.
You can observe the stability of the table just by putting a glass of water on top of the table. There are also level apps for your phone to check the level of the table.
Install a Furniture Tack
Some tables do not have any glides. But one of your table’s legs may be shorter than the others. Then you’ll have to measure the gap between the end of the leg and the ground. Then buy a furniture tack that fits the size of that gap in the leg.
Furniture tacks are specially designed nail-like ornaments. They can be used for adjusting the height of the leg of your table.
Now turn the table upside down and put the furniture tack over the bottom of the leg. Lastly, hammer down the tack into place.
Note that some tacks have “pressure pads” present on them. These pressure pads are great for measuring the gap between the floor and the leg. These will help you understand a margin to work with.
Saw Down The Longer Leg
Sometimes the problem is a longer leg rather than a short one. In that case, you can use anything from a hand saw, circular saw, or even jigsaw.
First, use a measuring tape to measure the gap between the normal legs and the floor. Then, mark that length of distance off on the longer leg. Next, saw the end of the longer leg. Then sand the bottom of the leg you cut.
For added stability, you can add a furniture pad to each leg. This will give your table the perfect stability
FAQs
What Is Causing My Table To Wobble?
There are many reasons behind a wobbling table. The most common being different sized legs of the table. Loose joints are also another reason. Sometimes your table may be swaying because of the uneven floor.
Do I Need Complex Tools To Stop The Swaying Of The Table?
No, complex tools are not a must. Some solutions can be done without the help of any tool at all. Solutions that require tools are mostly simple tools such as saws, screwdrivers etc.
Conclusion
There are a lot of answers to the question: how to stop a table from swaying? The solutions vary in difficulty widely.
You may just slip a matchbox under your table to stop the swaying. Or you can get a saw and cut off the extra length. The choice is yours.
Until next time!
Robert Larry is a woodworking enthusiast, carpenter, creative wood art designer, and spokesperson. He has a passion for crafting unique and functional pieces from wood, and over the years, He has honed his skills to develop a distinctive style that blends traditional carpentry techniques with a modern, artistic touch.
In addition to his work as a carpenter, He is also a writer, sharing his knowledge and experiences through articles and blog posts on the craft of woodworking. With a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for the natural beauty of wood, He creates pieces that are not only functional but also beautiful works of art.