How to Disassemble a Table From Its Legs

Place the table on a bench or other worksurface so the bottom of the table is facing up. Locate the screws holding the leg assembly to the tabletop. Back the screws all the way out with a screwdriver to remove each leg assembly.

Detach the leg braces. Corner braces are often used to attach legs to a table. Turn the table upside down and locate the corner braces. The ends of the braces fit in a groove cut into the apron and are secured to the apron with screws. The table legs attach to the braces with bolts and nuts. Back out the nut with a wrench until the leg is free from the brace or back out the screws holding the brace to the apron.

Take off the apron. Some legs are attached to the table apron with dowel pins and glue, and then the apron is secured to the table. The apron secures to the table with L-shaped brackets or there may be pilot holes for screws drilled through the apron. Locate the screws holding the apron to the underside of the table. Back out the screws with a screwdriver.

Unscrew the legs. Turn the table upside down and locate the bracket that is secured to the underside of the tabletop. Remove the legs by unscrewing them from the bracket or back out the screws holding the bracket to the table. This method holds true whether the legs are made of wood or metal with threads cut into the end of the leg that screws into the bracket.

Table legs can be secured directly to the table with a combination of screws and glue. This method applies glue between the leg and the apron, secured through the apron with screws. To remove the legs, back out the screws and put the tip of the chisel against the back of the apron at the apron/leg joint. Tap it with a hammer to separate the parts.