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We Have a New Metal Table Leg to Offer!

table with achillis style metal table legs

It is always fun to come up with a new style of metal table leg. It’s even more exciting to see the beautiful creations our customers make with the new legs. With that in mind, we are excited to introduce our latest metal table leg offering: The Achillis Leg. We liked this design idea so much we named it after the customer who suggested it.

This design ads a new dimension to the type of table you can build. Offering support the whole table as well as being a table leg, this metal table leg offers a whole new style of table! Here’s how it works: The legs are made of 2″ x 2″ hot rolled angle iron. Then two of our standard mounting plates are added in the interior corner. And the bottom of each leg is capped. Next, you add two pieces of wood with identical dimensions to make the top and shelf.

Here is how to go about getting correctly sized Achillis legs for your next project. We custom make each set of legs just for you so they fit the table you are making. Therefore three measurements are critical to this success:

1. The total height of your table (14″ – 20″)
2. The exact thickness of your top
3. The distance from the floor to the bottom of your shelf (the lower layer)

Have fun being one of the first to try out these legs! Send us a picture of your new creation!

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Choosing a Tabletop for your Hairpin Legs

square coffee table with hairpin legs

There are endless options for table tops to accompany the hairpin legs you’re looking forward to using. Making a tabletop can be as easy as finding a piece of reclaimed lumber and attaching a pair of metal hairpin legs. Or you could reuse an slats from an old pallet and fashion the wood into a tabletop. Some customers use an item that could be repurposed into a tabletop such as an old door. Or maybe a more personalized piece is what you’re looking for.

diy chest with hairpin legsRough sawn lumber, an old butcher block, or another table you’d like to retrofit. One idea that we think looks great is a useable top surface with an underside to which metal legs can be attached – an antique cabinet door, the top of an old trunk – or the whole trunk itself. Our hairpin legs are made to order and they are available in a variety of sizes so choose the thickness of your tabletop and we’re sure to make the legs in a size that works perfectly for you. Once you know how tall you want the overall height of your table, just subtract the thickness of the table top from the overall height and that will be the leg size you want. Not a standard size we’re offering? We can custom make any size between 4 and 30 inches so drop us an email if you think a custom size would work best for you. All of our metal legs are made of 100% recyclable steel right here in the USA!

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DIY Furniture Choice: Hairpin Legs or Bench Legs?

live edge desk with flat bar bench legs

Both hairpin legs and bench legs are great choices for your DIY furniture projects. They both offer a solid metal support structure for tables, benches and chairs, but how do you choose which one will work best for you? Are there specific uses for one or the other? Can hairpin legs be used for a bench and bench legs used for a table?

bench with square bar hairpin legsHere are some helpful hints to make sure you get the right metal legs for your project. We offer many different leg styles to be sure there is a leg style that will go perfectly with whatever project you’re getting started this summer. And these options provide a variety of different uses.

Hairpin legs are thinner than bench legs and offer more versatility when you choose leg positioning. Bench legs offer more stability and weight-bearing load. Weight isn’t much of a deciding factor for a one person chair, but if you have a four person bench, bench legs might be a good fit. But yes, hairpin legs can be used on a bench and bench legs can be used on a table. Just make sure you have enough support for a long span like a bench or a table. If you’re building a six or eight foot bench, consider three sets of bench legs, or six pairs of hairpin legs, with support in the middle of the bench.

Ultimately your furniture’s purpose will be the best determination for what legs to use. In addition to the piece’s function, its placement, style, and overall intended look may factor into what metal legs you’ll be happiest with. Each set of metal legs we make are made to order so you know you’ll be getting a product made just for you. And all of our metal legs are made of 100% recyclable steel right here in the USA!

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How Many Hairpin Legs Do I Need For My Project?

long coffee table with six hairpin legs

How many hairpin legs do you need for your DIY project? It is easy to assume that four legs will work but maybe your project would be better off with a different number. Four legs is what we see the most of – for use on tables, desks, chests, stools…the list goes on. But you can use whatever number of hairpin legs will best accommodate your project.

kitchen-table-with-custom-flat-bar-bench-legsFor example a kitchen table that is attached to the wall at one end. This table would only need leg support on one side, so maybe two legs will suffice. In the case of one customer’s project, they went with a bench leg to support the free-standing side. But maybe you have a project like an extra long table that would be best with more, rather than fewer, legs. An additional set of hairpin legs in the middle of a long table provides extra support and a more balanced look.

Stools or small round tables are often supported with three legs. Only you know what’s best for you and your project but we are always here to help. All of our legs are made to order – which means if you have a question or want a custom order you can always tell us about your project and see what we can do to accommodate your needs. All of our metal legs are made right here in the USA of 100% recyclable steel. Feel free to reach out with questions before you order, and send us a picture of your finished project!

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Getting Your Hairpin Legs Ready For Outdoor Use

patio table with painted hairpin legs

It’s outdoor furniture time! What should you do to take care of your outdoor furniture now that you’re getting ready to use it again for the season? If it’s been stored for the off season take it out and see what shape it’s in. If it’s been outdoors all year see how it’s fared through the winter weather. There are a few things you can do to keep your table, and metal legs in particular, in great shape for a long time to come. First of all, how does the tabletop look? Is it still in great shape? Does it need a quick sanding and another coat of finish? Or is it still looking well cared for?

metal banded rustic table with hairpin legs

Second, how do the hairpin legs themselves look? Are there signs of rust? Some people choose to add finish to their metal legs to keep them at their best no matter what weather they encounter. See our FAQ for more ideas on metal finishing options.

Thirdly, how is the leg-table attachment? If the wood is still in good shape, the metal table legs should still be solidly attached. But if some of the wood needs to be replaced, the legs may not be as firmly attached as they should be. Be sure to screw the legs back on tightly if you’re replacing some of the wood. And finally, how is the table site itself? Be sure to locate your table on firm solid ground so it will be stable for each use. Do you need some chairs or end tables to go with your existing outdoor furniture? Some people like to match the metal legs styles to the ones they have and some people like to change it up and mix match our metal hairpin legs with our bench legs. Either way, we hope you enjoy the outdoor season with custom made metal table legs made right here in the USA!

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Cushioned Benches with Metal Bench Legs

A lot of the furniture we profile utilizes the simplicity of plain wood. But there are other great options our metal bench legs help create. Perhaps a little more cushion would better suit your needs. There are many padding options including built in padding or removable padding. Charlie has made a beautiful modern dining nook with our tube steel bench legs. As you can see this bench is upholstered offering its own unique style. The colors really make it an eye-catching piece of the room. The bench can be used alone as a corner seating area or in conjunction with a table and chairs. Built-in cushioning will not move or shift when in use, and can be a good choice with children in the house. It also allows the piece to be custom built for its specific purpose.

cushioned bench with metal bench legs wraparound bench with metal bench legs

There are times when removable padding may better suit your needs. Removable cushioning allows for the material or pattern to be changed in the future. It also allows for multiple functions – for use with or without the cushioning, which may protect the top when not in use. Cushioned benches are a great way to add comfort and aesthetics to metal bench leg furniture. One of the great things about building your own bench with our metal legs is knowing that they are all custom made of 100% US steel right here in the USA. And we have two great metal bench supports to choose from – the flat bar bench legs and the tube steel bench legs. So now you know what cushioned bench styles have to offer. Send us a picture of your finished project; we’d love to see what you come up with!

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Hairpin Table Legs and Storage

Hairpin table legs are easy and simple to use. They can easily be attached by you, –using little more than a screwdriver–to any piece of wood suitable for a tabletop. Our hairpin table legs are often used alone with the tabletop – just four legs and a top. But there are times when customers want storage to go along with their new table. If you’re having a hard time picturing that, take a look at the storage options some of our customers came up with!

Adding something as simple as a wire basket to the underside of a table can add a storage basket quickly and easily! Plus, our hairpin table legs do not have to be used exclusively for tables. So that gives you lots of options. Many types of furniture can utilize metal hairpin legs. We’ve had customers put metal hairpin legs on storage trunks and chests, for example. Take a look at the console Travis made with a short set of metal hairpin legs. There is a lot of storage available there as well as a flat surface on top for additional use. What types of hairpin table leg storage options have you thought up? Once you have a picture of your finished product we’d love to see it!

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Metal Bench Legs Paired with Reclaimed Oak

reclaimed oak bench with metal bench legs

We love seeing what our customers create with our metal legs. This bench was made from reclaimed oak paired with our flat bar bench legs. We love the look of this beautiful and functional bench! Notice how different wood looks depending on which side you approach it from. One side is refined and smooth while the other maintains the rougher look of its previous life with markings still visible. Oak is a beautiful wood to work with as it is so strong and durable. The sturdiness of our bench legs paired with the strength of the oak eliminates the need for additional support legs on a bench such as this – even with the long span between the legs seen here.

reclaimed oak bench with metal bench legsOak’s durability adds to its unique look as it can be used to create furniture pieces other wood types cannot. The unique look of oak also has to do with its structure: it grows with large pores that are visible to the naked eye making it referred to as an open grained wood. This gives more variation in the wood and lends a coarser texture and more rugged look. Be sure to keep this in mind if you choose to refinish oak as sawdust from planning and especially sanding can get in the open grains while you work. It should be brushed off well before adding a finish to be sure it is the wood itself that is being finished and not sawdust particulate in the crevices. Whatever wood you choose to use, know that our bench legs will be strong and sturdy and complement any wood type. And send us a picture so we can see what great creation you have come up with!

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Using Hairpin Legs Outdoors

closeup painted table with hairpin legs

We often get questions from customers asking if hairpin legs can be used outdoors. Yes, they can absolutely be used outdoors! Our metal hairpin legs are made from 100% steel. Therefore, they are durable and able to withstand a variety of conditions. Some customers choose to add a protective layer to their metal legs for use outdoors. Check out Aileen’s beautiful table made with our 3-rod hairpin legs; her table is a perfect example. The table itself is a beautiful herringbone design highlighting the natural wood. She has chosen to paint the hairpin legs to give them added color, fashion, and durability for use outdoors. The legs take on a whole new personality with the added color. Notice how the leg color is accented with a splash of color in the triangular table pieces.

patio-table-with-3-bar-hairpin-legs outdoor-patio-table-with-hairpin-legsHairpin legs work great on exterior tables. It makes the table less bulky than heavy wooden legs – very accommodating for moving furniture around as needed. The metal legs are also simple, clean and they leave more room for feet, kids and pets. Metal legs nicely match common outdoor furniture like the chairs used here. The metal frame of the chairs goes well with our metal hairpin table legs. Just imagine all the fun Aileen will be having this year with all that space around her hairpin table leg outdoor furniture! Great job Aileen – thanks for sharing!

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Metal Bench Supports as Table Legs?

live edge desk with flat bar bench legs

Metal bench legs are a great way to make variable sized seating for both indoor and outdoor applications, but are bench legs used just for seating? Absolutely not! Bench legs serve many other functions as well – such as providing leg support at nearly any height for tables. Metal bench legs can be used on tables by themselves or as part of a set with matching bench seating. We think bench legs make great dining tables, end tables, desks, and much more, and we’ve included pictures of what other customers have done with their metal bench supports to show you just how versatile they are…but maybe you already have some plans in mind?

kitchen-table-with-custom-flat-bar-bench-legs

One of the great things about bench supports is the look of the finished product. You can see the clean and square lines they create. Not only are the legs strong and sturdy, but they look that way too. It is always nice to know your table will hold up to all of the uses you intend to use it for – while adding a clean, sturdy look to the furniture as well. Our metal bench legs are offered in two basic designs, although we’re always open to requests. The first is a flat bar bench leg that also has the appeal of an unfinished raw steel look. The second is the tube steel bench leg which is made of 1” by 2” rectangular steel. Pick out which style of legs will go best for your next project and send us a picture of what you’ve created when it’s finished. Bench legs allow you to create a look, feel and custom design quickly and easily.