Choosing Legs for a Strong & Stable Build

Ensuring your project has a strong, safe, and stable base is crucial, particularly if it's designed for work or dining.

Overview

There are a few core things to look out for:

• Safety: The legs must be strong enough to safely support your project without collapsing. The majority of our legs are extremely strong and will hold many times more than your average project.

• Stability: You will likely want your table to be stable for work, dining or just general quality of feel. For us this is the main factor when choosing legs.

• Table Dimensions: For legs with a set width, you will want to ensure there isnt too much overhand across the width of the table. Length is generally not an issue. See building long tables.

Table Top Stiffness

A top that is too weak or flexible will cause a wobbly table, even with the strongest table leg pairing. We suggest adding battens/support to your table top, choose a Full Frame Leg, or using the following thickness tops:

• 18mm plywood, or equivalent : Up to 1.2m leg span

• 24mm plywood, or equivalent : Up to 1.8m leg span

• 32mm plywood, or equivalent : Up to 2.4m leg span

How to Improve Stiffness of a Table TopBuilding Long TablesWhen to Choose a Full Frame Leg Base

Table Top Size

The length or width of the table top is usually not a concern so long as the total weight is within the suggested guidance.

On fixed legs such as our end format legs, it makes sense to try and limit the width overhang to 30 - 40cm each side. This means a leg of 58cm can support a top of around 120cm and 78cm can support 150cm.

Our main test is the "sit on the edge of the table test". We want to be able to apply a decent amount of force without risk of the table lifting or tipping. Heavier tops can deal with a larger overhang as they are better anchored to the ground.

What weight can legs support?

We do not specify absolute weight limits for our products. This approach is deliberate; the capacity for weight support significantly varies depending on the design and construction of your overall project, and the weight an individual table leg can support is mostly irrelevant.

Furthermore, we believe in prioritising the stability and quality-feel of your project.

Once you know that your table top or furniture is going to be up to the job, it is time to choose the best legs to support it.

Leg Weight Loading Guidelines