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How to Deal With Uneven Furniture

Don't throw away that uneven, old piece of furniture. Instead, rehabilitate wobbly table legs and smooth out uneven finishes at home with quick fixes that save you money. You don't have to be a professional to fix your uneven furniture. With a few woodworking tools and a trip to the hardware store, you can restore your old tables and chairs back to working order again. Consult a professional before using power tools, especially if you have never used them before.

Things You'll Need

  • 180-grit sandpaper
  • Sanding block
  • 220-grit sandpaper
  • Rag
  • Glue
  • Stain
  • Woodworking bench
  • Level
  • Utility knife
  • Sander
  • Jigsaw
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Instructions

  1. Uneven Wood Finish

    • 1

      Sand away the old paint or finish with 180-grit sandpaper and a sanding block. Sand the edges of the table with 220-grit sandpaper, since these areas tend to be the most porous. Wipe the table with a clean, damp rag to remove the excess wood shavings.

    • 2

      Mix 1 part white glue with 10 parts water, then paint the furniture with the solution. Allow the wood to dry for at least four hours. The glue solution will prevent stain from seeping into the pores of the wood, making uneven blotches.

    • 3

      Sand the wood lightly until the surface is even, and then wipe the area with a clean, damp rag.

    • 4

      Paint the wood carefully with the stain and allow it to dry completely before applying a second coat. Apply a second coat of stain if necessary.

    Uneven Furniture Legs

    • 5

      Rock the furniture back and forth carefully to determine the longest leg of the table or chair.

    • 6

      Place the furniture on a woodworking bench with the longest leg hanging off the side. Bring the long leg all the way to the edge of the bench and place a level on top of the table or chair.

    • 7

      Use a utility knife to cut a straight line where the bench lines up with the long leg. Use a sander or jigsaw to cut away the excess wood evenly.