How to Replace the Legs of a Bookcase

Legs give a bookcase stability.

Manufacturers design bookcases with legs so the weight spreads evenly over each leg. Too much stress on too few legs will cause the legs to break. Some bookcases rest on four legs and some on six, depending on the size of the bookcase. Legs can also break when dragging a bookcase to move it or from accidental damage. Removing and replacing damaged bookcase legs is necessary for safety. A bookcase with unstable legs can fall, causing injury to those nearby. Removing and replacing bookcase legs is also a way to update the bookcase and give it a new look.

Things You'll Need

• Pipe wrench
• Chisel
• Mallet
• Power drill
• Spade bit
• 80-grit sandpaper
• Wood glue

Instructions

1. Remove all the books and contents from the bookcase.

2. Turn the bookcase on its side to gain access to the legs.

3. Examine the attachment points of the bookcase legs. Determine if the legs glue holds the leg into the base of the bookcase with a round peg, if the legs are surface mounted with a bracket or if they screw in.

4. Remove glued legs by gripping the leg with a large pipe wrench. Twist the wrench forcefully and quickly to free the glue bond. Chip away stuck pieces of wood from the hole with a thin chisel and mallet, or equip a power drill with a spade bit and drill out stuck wood. Sand out the old glue with 80-grit sandpaper. If surface mount brackets hold the leg, loosen the screws with a power screwdriver to remove the bracket and leg. If the legs screw in, turn the leg counterclockwise to loosen and remove the leg.

5. Paint wood glue onto the leg peg and inside of the hole. Insert the leg into the hole, and brace or clamp the leg in place until the wood glue dries, usually three to four hours. If brackets hold the new legs, position the new leg and place the L-shaped surface mount bracket up to the leg and extending onto the flat base of the bookcase. Mark the screw holes through the bracket and onto the wood base and leg. Surface mounts have predrilled holes as guides. Drill pilot holes through the marks 1/4 inch less than the depth of the wood. Screw the bracket to the leg and to the base of the bookcase with a power screwdriver. If legs screw into hanger bolts, turn the leg clockwise to tighten.

Tips & Warnings

• Replace the legs of a bookcase with the same number of legs it came with.

References

• "Repairing Furniture"; Time Life Editors; 1997
• " The Book of Skills and Tools"; Family Handyman Magazine Editors; 1993