How to Make Simple Desk Legs

Rub the medium-grit sandpaper along the sides of the four 2-by-2-inch wide wooden legs to remove any splinters. Sand the top and bottom ends of the four legs to ensure that there are no splinters and cracks on the ends. Do not sand continuously, as it will alter the length and width of the legs and make an uneven base for the desk.

Flip the desk upside down, so the bottom side is facing up. Place one of the 30-inch-long legs in one of the desk’s corners. Use the pencil and ruler to trace the outline of the leg’s end onto the desk top. Repeat this step for each of the corners. Find the middle of these newly drawn squares by drawing a line to connect the top right corner to the bottom left corner, and another line connecting the top left to the bottom right. Draw one “X” on each of the legs, placing the "X" on the ends that will connect to the bottom of the desk.

Place the ruler on the side of the desk to measure the height of the desk top and write it down. Add the drill bit to the drill. Drill four holes in the desk top directly in the middle of each “X.” The hole must not go all the way through the desk surface. If the desk height is 1 inch, the hole must be between 1/2-inch and 3/4-inch deep.

Drill an identical hole on the table legs’ ends using the “X” as your guide. Drill the hole in the middle of the "X," as done in the previous step. The depth of the hole must suit the depth of the hole drilled in the desk top, so the two holes equal one inch. If the desk top hole is 1/2-inch deep, the table leg hole must also be 1/2-inch deep.

Add wood glue into the two holes and add one wooden dowel into the desk legs’ holes. Turn the leg upside down and insert the dowel joint into the table top. Apply pressure to the table leg, so the wooden dowel connects the legs and the desk. Let the glue dry completely before turning the desk around for use.