Help raising a table

[Ivan Vegvary]

Nice Kitchen table. Height is 28 inches would like to raise it to 30.5 inches. Table has four legs, each leg is two 1x4's formed into an "L" shape. It is oak. Would like to raise it with a little more style than simply shoving blocks underneath. Thinking maybe I should surround the lower portion of the 1x4 "L" shape with short 1x5's (extending down, say 2 inches) all sitting on a 1" platform (maybe a 6x6 lying flat). Any and all design ideas greatly appreciated.

Of course all of this would be followed by purchasing 6 chairs of the proper height.

Thank you, Ivan Vegvary '

[DerbyDad03]

How are the legs attached to the table? Is there an apron?

I'm curious if there is a way leave the bottom of the legs as is (as are?) and raise the table top, hiding the upper extensions behind the apron.

Pictures might help.

[John Grossbohlin]

Nice Kitchen table. Height is 28 inches would like to raise it to 30.5 inches. Table has four legs, each leg is two 1x4's formed into an "L" shape. It is oak. Would like to raise it with a little more style than simply shoving blocks underneath. Thinking maybe I should surround the lower portion of the 1x4 "L" shape with short 1x5's (extending down, say 2 inches) all sitting on a 1" platform (maybe a 6x6 lying flat). Any and all design ideas greatly appreciated.

Of course all of this would be followed by purchasing 6 chairs of the proper height.

Thank you, Ivan Vegvary '

See alt.binaries.pictures.woodworking for table.jpg

That might not help but it will show you aren't alone when it comes to table issues...

What might help is adding a contrasting wood tip to the existing legs. Simple description would be to add solid blocking inside the existing legs that extends from the apron to 2.5" beyond the existing end of the leg. Then add the contrasting wood. In practice you probably have to square up the ends of the existing legs first... add the amount removed to the length of the extensions.

[Hawk]

Without actually seeing the table and legs, I would suggest the same as Derby Dad with trying to add/extend under the apron or skirt. If it's less than the 2.5" you need, you can attach height adjusters/risers on the bottom, which usually aren't very noticeable or permanent extensions similar to something like this....

Of course, using the style of legs you already have. Some creativity will be required.

[Clare Snyder]

How do the legs fasten? If they fit to the "bottom" of the table it would be a simple matter to add a 2.5 inch block between the bottom of the tabletop and the top of the leg. If they form part of the "skirt" a bit of trim around the top of the leg would allow you to move the legs "down" 2.5 inches without having a clunky "boot" onthe bottom of the leg.

[russellseaton1]

I'm repeating what everyone else said. Try to make an extension of the 1x4 L shape leg and add it to the top, or maybe bottom, of the leg. Biscuits, slip tenons, Dominoes, pocket screws, tongue and groove. Adding it to the top or bottom will depend on how the leg attaches to the table top. And w hether to make the new wood extension look exactly like the old leg, or a c omplete contrast, depends on which will look best. Maple, walnut contrast would look good. Trying to get something to contrast with red oak would no t be easy, so best to make it look the same.