How to Fashion Metal Legs

Research metal table leg designs before beginning the project.

The fashion or design of metal legs for benches, chairs, tables, night stands and plant stands vary in length, shape, finish and type of metal. Metal legs add a clean, crisp edge to the piece of furniture. Additionally, the metal allows for easy cleaning and polishing. Fashion metal legs from square stock, round stock, angle iron and pipe. Base the design on practicality and the ability of the crafter.

Things You'll Need

• Metal table leg reference material with metal leg pictures
• 1/4-inch graph paper
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Look through reference material for different metal table leg designs. Cut out or print favorite metal table leg pictures. Reference materials include such things as magazines, how-to books, metal table leg plans and the Internet.

2. Draw a scaled drawing of the table top on a piece of 1/4-inch graph paper. Repeat the drawing a minimum of four times.

3. Draw different shaped legs on the table top in several different fashions. Example table leg fashions include a straight table leg made from 1-inch square stock, a curved table leg made from 1/2-inch round stock, a twisted table leg made from three pieces of 1/2-inch round stock and a rectangular table leg made from 1-inch square stock with a geometric design in the center.

4. Select a table leg fashion that accents the decor of the intended room of placement. Determine if you have the necessary equipment to make the chosen design or are willing to borrow or purchase the proper equipment.

5. Draw the metal table leg from the end that sits on the floor to the connection point to the table. Draw all angles, holes, welds and bends. Add details such as length, width and type of metal material.

6. Break down the table leg drawing into the process of assembly. Write down the equipment needed for each process. For example, a metal table leg made from round stock and curved uses a metal bender to create the curve. A metal table leg made from square stock and welded to create a rectangle with an open center requires a welding machine.

7. Purchase the pre-determined kind and amount of metal, metal hardware and extra tools needed to complete the project.

References

• Maidens Of Iron: Design Ideas and How to Instructions for Iron and Metal Table Legs