• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Start Here
  • Shop Favorites
  • About
    • Welcome To My Repurposed Life Home of Repurposed Furniture
    • More About Gail
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy Information
  • Gallery
    • Repurposed Furniture
  • Repurposed Items
    • Building Supplies
    • Miscellaneous Household Items
    • Picture Frame/Chalk Board
  • DIY
    • Home Reno
    • outdoor living
    • Painting
    • Shop Talk
    • Tips for Around the House
    • Build It
      • Furniture
      • Home Decor
      • Storage
    • Crafts
      • Dollar Store
      • Easy
      • Holidays Seasonal
  • Furniture
    • Chair
    • Desk
    • Dresser/Chest
    • Headboard | Bed Parts | Cribs
    • Kids Furniture
    • Table
    • Kids Furniture
My Repurposed Life® Rescue Re-imagine Repeat
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Start Here
  • Project Index
  • Furniture
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » DIY » How to repair pedestals

    How to repair pedestals

    Published by Gail | Published September 11, 2013 | Updated May 16, 2021
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet

    yard sale tableI got this old table at a yard sale for $10. Since it was taken apart, I really didn’t know how bad the pedestals were. You can see the legs are a little wonky…. attached but off kilter.

     

    two pedestalsWhen I got it out to paint it, I realized why it was so cheap. I didn’t have a clue what the problem was until I turned them upside down and investigated.

     

     

    how to fix a pedestalNot shown in the picture is a big metal plate that connects from the pedestal to all three legs. A couple of the metal brackets just needed the screws tightened. The legs slide up and out.

     

    stripped screwsThis little guy needed some tlc. These screw holes were stripped. I removed the screws….

     

    fill the holes with toothpicks…I filled the holes with wood glue….

     

    use toothpicks & glue to make srews fit…then stuck in a toothpick.

     

     

    two pieces slide togetherNow, both pedestals are all fixed up.

     

    distressed-waxed-buffedThis is how she looks all painted, waxed and buffed.

    double pedestal table

    lightly distressed tableI lightly distressed this table. I’ve been looking for some chairs to go with it, but haven’t found any yet. If I can’t sell it as is, I may take it apart and use the pedestals to make two separate tables.

    I painted this sweet table using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in my HomeRight sprayer. So easy! You can read the details in my post—ASCP in a HomeRight Finish Max.

    Have you used the “toothpick trick” before? It sure does work great!

    gail

    related content: repair a vintage headboard

    Print Friendly, PDF & Email
    Pin
    Share
    Tweet

    Related Content:

    • Chunky Pedestals Candle Plant Holders
      Chunky Pedestals Candle Plant Holders
    • Double Column Console Table
      Double Column Console Table
    • Double Pedestal Table
      Double Pedestal Table
    • repurposed table ideas | dining tables | coffee tables
      repurposed table ideas | dining tables | coffee tables
    • Old Oak Table redo into Craft Table
      Old Oak Table redo into Craft Table
    • DIY Console Table made from a Table Leaf and odd Table Legs
      DIY Console Table made from a Table Leaf and odd Table Legs

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      See comments Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Matt

      February 27, 2022 at 9:35 am

      Works great on stripped door hinges as well.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        February 27, 2022 at 11:33 am

        Matt,

        Indeed it does! Thanks for adding that tidbit.

        gail

    2. marlene jones

      March 24, 2021 at 3:53 pm

      Ok so we bought a table brand new. It's a round drop leaf pedestal table. Well we put it together and the bolts dont hold the pedestal this long base that attaches to the table top. The bolts just slide right out. My thoughts are to buy some wooden dowels and use those instead of bolts by gluing them in the pedestal bolt holes and into the table top underneath where it's all screwed in. I have used wood glue in many instances and that stuff holds better than cement. My question is do you think it would work? The table is a very heavy strong table and so are the chairs. It would be done very much like you showed us in the photos here. Thanks and I love the table you got for a mere 10 bucks. Its awesome.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        March 24, 2021 at 10:17 pm

        Marlene,

        I'm thinking you should contact someone about this! It's awful that you have a brand new table not working right. I would hate for you to use dowel and wood glue because then you can NEVER move the table out of the room, let alone the house.

        Could you go to Home Depot and get different bolts? If you want to email me pictures, I will try to help further.

        gail

    3. Charlene

      September 16, 2013 at 10:30 am

      Wooden BBQ skewers also work great!

      Reply
    4. Sheri

      September 15, 2013 at 3:08 pm

      That is a beautiful table. I hope you don't have to turn it into two tables.

      Reply
    5. jeanetteann

      September 12, 2013 at 4:19 am

      Oh my goodness it's lovely. Well done. Looks so easy to do.

      Reply
    6. Sylvia

      September 12, 2013 at 1:07 am

      Yes, I have also used the toothpick/golf tee/ skewer trick. Table looks great.

      Reply
    7. Pat

      September 11, 2013 at 9:43 pm

      Gail, that table turned out fabulously!
      I HAVE used the toothpick trick...and the match stick trick, (break off the match end)...bamboo skewer, wooden dowel (MOST RECENT)... I hope this table sells.
      But if it doesn't then we'll get to see you pull another trick out of your hat...and make two tables!
      catching up on reading this evening. I'm sure you'll see more comments from me!
      Pat

      Reply
    8. Mindi

      September 11, 2013 at 2:31 pm

      What a fun table! I have heard of the toothpick trick, but haven't used it yet! You just gave me the idea to use it on one of my kitchen cabinets though, I keep having to tighten the screw, I supposed six kids pulling it down as they open it several times a day might have something to do with it!

      Reply
    9. sophy

      September 11, 2013 at 12:52 pm

      Wow, what a find... plus a fabulous fix!! looking good!

      Reply
    10. Margaret

      September 11, 2013 at 12:18 pm

      My favorite project of yours is the desk repurposed into a tall dresser - love, love, love it! What a creative idea!

      Reply
    11. Becky

      September 11, 2013 at 10:50 am

      Great how to--so often a necessary fix on these tables!

      Reply
    12. Korrie@RedHenHome

      September 11, 2013 at 9:39 am

      The table looks amazing! No, I haven't tried the toothpick trick, but I will add it to my arsenal 😉

      Reply
    13. Julie @ follow your heart woodworking

      September 11, 2013 at 9:14 am

      That's a steal for $10. Interested what you find when you take things apart, isn't it? Not really a difficult fix, but the owner probably never even looked to see why it was wobbly!

      Reply
    14. Cher @ Designs by Studio C

      September 11, 2013 at 8:35 am

      Gorgeous table! I never thought to use toothpicks to fill holes - I'll have to keep that in mind!

      Reply
    15. Holly

      September 11, 2013 at 8:16 am

      Yes I have, but I've used wooden golf tees too depending on the size you need to fill. I've also used them to fill holes that I don't want to use anymore instead of wood filler.

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

    More about me →

    Join Our Mailing List

    ​

      Click the topics you're interested in below:

      Subscribing above means you agree to our Privacy Policy​

      Footer

      ↑ back to top

      SEEN ON

      Might I Suggest

      • Start Here
      • Furniture Makeovers

      Newsletter

      • Sign Up! for emails and updates

      About

      • Gail's Favorites on Amazon
      • About

      As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

      Copyright © 2023 My Repurposed Life · Privacy Policy · Disclosure