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    Home » DIY » Build It » Metal Table Legs make DIY Wooden Tables and Plant Stands

    Metal Table Legs make DIY Wooden Tables and Plant Stands

    Published by Gail | Published September 1, 2017 | Updated April 9, 2019
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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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

    free small side tables

    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.

     

    *this post contains affiliate links, read more here*

    dismantle free small round tables

    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.

     

     

    store chrome table legs

    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

    testing board and legs

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

     

    sand 2x12 board

    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. Winking smile

     

    Staining the new table tops

     

    more dry fit small table

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

    attach metal legs to wooden table

    I used my Kreg Multi-Mark tool to measure the distance so all the legs match. I used 1 ⅝” 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

    square wooden table with metal 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 ¼ by 11 ¼”. 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

    18 inch round

    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

    wipe on poly

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

     

    wooden side tables with metal legs

    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

    gold metallic paint metal legs

    So I decided this metallic paint would be great!

     

    metal table legs painted gold

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

    long side table with metal legs MyRepurposedLife.comFor 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.

    PIN IT!

     

    gold metal table legs small side table MyRepurposedLife.com

    The small side tables are perfect for plant stands.

    PIN IT!

    round wooden table with metal legs MyRepurposedLife.com

    The tables are about 20” tall.

    Pin IT!

    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

    See more table projects here

    See more EASY projects here

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    1. Bridget

      September 26, 2017 at 11:56 am

      I really like the way the gold looks with the dark stain. Very creative.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        September 26, 2017 at 3:32 pm

        Thanks Bridget. I still need to get busy painting the other sets of legs on the other 2 tables before my craft show.

        gail

    2. Vickie

      September 13, 2017 at 7:55 am

      Lucky you to find these tables! Love what you have done with them. Will keep an eye out for some while thrifting. And I do like the metallic legs.

      Reply
    3. Mindi

      September 05, 2017 at 12:57 am

      Oh my gosh!!! BEST score ever!! I love all of them Gail, the tops look so pretty! Seriously so awesome, I am giddy for you, and I have to admit a little jealous, I love these legs! You go!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        September 05, 2017 at 9:01 am

        Oh so sad that I didn't grab ALL of them Mindi! ugh!

        I know you would do awesome things if you had them.

        Those tops? You can't beat free drop offs, right?

    4. Wendi@H2OBungalow

      September 02, 2017 at 7:18 am

      These are great, what a score! I'm loving the legs painted gold. I think my favorite one is the double legs though. You are always coming up with the best ideas Gail. Pinned 🙂

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        September 03, 2017 at 10:35 pm

        Thanks so much Wendi! These were fun and easy to make!

        gail

    5. Bonnie Hipps

      September 01, 2017 at 5:11 pm

      What an imagination to come up with that beautiful transformation. Love the metallic and I agree I think black would be awesome....

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        September 03, 2017 at 10:37 pm

        Thank you Bonnie. These little tables were a fun and easy break from the larger projects I do sometimes.

        gail

    6. Deborah Metcalfe

      September 01, 2017 at 1:45 pm

      I'd leave them chrome or paint them black. I usually prefer gold on most anything, but this time not so much. LOVE your blog & projects!!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        September 03, 2017 at 10:38 pm

        I appreciate your honesty Deborah! Thanks for stopping by and checking out the projects.

        gail

    7. GirlfromWva

      September 01, 2017 at 12:38 pm

      Love the gold. Any metallic paint would be good. Thinking copper or hammered steel.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        September 03, 2017 at 10:39 pm

        I need to check out my spray paint stash to see what I have, I think it would be so much easier than painting by hand.

        Thanks Nova!

        gail

    8. Kate

      September 01, 2017 at 12:27 pm

      Wow! That gold paint really brings it up a notch. Black would be interesting too with the dark stain. Definitely paint all the legs.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        September 03, 2017 at 10:39 pm

        Kate,

        Black is a really good idea!

        thanks!

        gail

    9. Terry M

      September 01, 2017 at 8:57 am

      What a find! Great job on the tables, I love them. I would probably paint the legs black if they were mine.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        September 01, 2017 at 9:45 am

        Black? That color wasn't even on my radar! Thanks so much for your input Terry!

        gail

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    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!

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