How to Install Equalizer Slides for Pedestal Tables

Installing equalizer slides rather than thin leaf slides on the bottom of a pedestal table's leaves is essential to prevent sagging when the leaves are opened. The slides are made with rack and pinion joints to provide a stronger brace. Parallel installation is paramount as the table sections slide apart directly from the center of the table, the pedestal foot. A set of equalizers made specifically for a pedestal table have a thick center piece to connect to the pedestal foot.

Pedestal table equalizers and screws
Ruler
Compass
Clamps
Cordless drill
1-inch wood screws

Instructions

- 1
  Set the closed tabletop on the floor with the bottom face-up.
- 2
  Measure 6 inches left and right of the center along the seam made by the two leaves of the tabletop. Mark these two spots with a pencil.
- 3
  Draw two parallel lines on the marks at a 90-degree angle from the seam with a ruler and compass.
- 4
  Clamp a closed equalizer slide to each parallel line. Center the middle section of the slide at the tabletop seam.
- 5
  Mount the equalizer slides to the tabletop with the screws provided and a cordless drill. If the slides didn't come with screws, use screws that are 1/2-inch shorter than the thickness of the tabletop.
- 6
  Attach the center beam, included with the equalizer slides, to the slides by aligning the pre-drilled holes at each end of the center beam to the pre-drilled holes on the middle section of the slides. Use the screws provided or 1-inch wood screws.
- 7
  Mount the pedestal foot to the center of the center beam with 1-inch wood screws or the original screws for the pedestal foot.
- 8
  Turn the table over and stand it upright. Open and close the leaves to check the movement of the equalizer slides.

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