Metal Table Legs make DIY Wooden Tables and Plant Stands

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While running some errands, I found these metal table legs attached to some less than perfect table tops by a dumpster.

Free Salon Tables by the Dumpster

I picked up 6 of them and went on about my errands. As I passed by the dumpster again, a man was bringing more out. He hoisted them in the air as if to offer them to me.   I decided to get 2 more making a total of 8. They filled the back of my truck, so I left many more free metal leg tables behind.

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When I unloaded them, I wondered how in the world I was going to store all of these tables. I got busy with my drill and removed all the metal legs, realizing they were going to be fairly easy to store, and regretting I hadn’t gotten more.

I used zip ties to pair the legs in sets of 4 for easy storage. To keep track of all the screws, I placed them into a baggie for safe keeping.  Can I just take a moment to tell you how much I love, love, love my truck? It’s so handy to be able to pick stuff up while I’m passing by instead of rushing home to borrow a truck.

Rodney, my favorite neighbor was replacing a floor in another neighbor’s apartment. He had to replace several floor joists. He had a drop off that he didn’t want, so I scooped it up and saved it from the burn pile. At the time I had no idea what I was going to do with it.

Giving the dumpster tables a new top

I pulled out the metal table legs and put a couple of pairs together, and voila! I have a new table.

Because the board was pretty rough, I brought out my orbital sander to clean up the rough patches. I used Minwax Jacobean Stain, applying it with a cheap chip brush.  These brushes are my favorite. I am probably one of the rare ones that actually clean them, even when I use them for staining. The brushes improve with age. If you look at the handle you can clearly see I’ve used it for staining before. 

Staining the new table tops

This is a dry fit to see how the metal legs work with the dark stain.

I used my Kreg Multi-Mark tool to measure the distance so all the legs match.  I used 1 5/8” wood screws instead of the small sheet metal screws that were originally used on the metal table legs.

Testing small tops for the dumpster table legs

So I sent a picture to my daughter Jamie to ask if she liked the long table, and she said she thought it would look better if it were square. While picking up the large board from Rodney, there was a smaller board already ON the burn pile. I was able to square it up on my compound miter saw to a size of 11 1/4 by 11 1/4”.  I thought the metal table legs were a great fit for the small wooden square board.

Then I sent another picture to Jamie, and the conversation turned to a round table.

Using pre-cut table rounds

I had this 18” round from Home Depot in my stash. I sanded it and stained it as well as the small square board. Have you been keeping up? I’ve used up four sets of the metal legs, and made 3 great side tables that work great as plant stands and more.

I love using Wipe-On Poly

Using latex gloves,  and a soft cloth I applied Minwax Wipe-On Poly to all of the new wooden table tops.

Here is the fabulous trio of wooden tables with metal legs.  During the text conversation, Jamie mentioned painting the metal legs.

Metallic Paint for Table Legs

So I decided this metallic paint would be great!

I love the way the legs turned out with the gold paint.

For now, I’ve left the other metal legs their original chrome color. I’d love to hear your thoughts on painting them, and what color you think would look good.

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The small side tables are perfect for plant stands.

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The tables are about 20” tall.

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Do you have a favorite?  Would you have picked up a few of these free metal leg tables or ALL of them? I still have 4 sets left, I’d love to hear your thoughts for using them.

gail

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