Homemade Table Legs for Portable Tables

A portable table has legs that fold underneath the table to make the table easy to transport. The legs fold in using hinged braces. One side of the brace attaches to the underside of the table; the other to the table leg. The brace slides when a lock is released, allowing the leg to fold.

Function

Hinged table legs offers portability to a table. Because the table legs fold underneath the table to create a flat surface, the table can be slid into the back of a vehicle or carried by one person. Moving tables in this way is convenient for picnics, temporary furniture setups such as a wedding and other group gatherings.

Considerations

The table legs slide down the hinged brace parallel to the sliding arm. If two table legs are in a line, when they fold under the table, they may hit one another. Hinged braces on opposite sides of a table should be offset from one another.

Construction

Portable table legs can be built out of wood, metal or plastic piping, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). If you use metal piping, have a power drill with a drill bit that can safely cut through metal, such as a step or cone drill bill or a steel-coated bit. If you use wood, sand the wood surface free of chips that can cause splinters, since people will be handling the legs when folding them into the table. Protect the wood with a weather-resistant seal if you intend to use the table outside. No matter what material you use for your legs, have a power drill to attach the screws from the hinged braces to the table and the leg.