Fixing a Dining Table Butterfly Sagging Leaf

Butterfly drop-leaf tables usually have wooden braces to hold up the leafs when you fully extend them. Over time, though, wood wears and screws become loose, causing a leaf to sag. Fixing a sagging leaf might involve only tightening the supports, or it could require replacing them. It is necessary to access the bottom of the table to repair the braces and have your table operating correctly again. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Check the piano hinge securing the leaf to the main table top. Sometimes screws become loose and the heads rise above the hinge, causing the leaf to not rise completely. Tighten loose screws with a Phillips screwdriver until their heads are flush with the hinges.

2

Spread a sheet on the floor and place the table on it upside down. Depending on the size of the table, you might need someone to help you turn it over. The leaf on each side should be fully extended.

3

Realign the wedge on the leaf and tighten the screw if the wedge is loose. The wedge is a small tapered piece of wood on the bottom edge of the leaf on the hinge side. The wooden brace rotates over the taper of the wedge when raising the leaf. If the wedge appears worn, replace it with a new one. Replacement wedges are available at home-improvement stores. Unscrew the old wedge. Apply a drop of wood glue into the screw hole before installing the new wedge.

4

Turn the wooden brace on the main table to ensure it is contacting the wedge properly. The brace is usually a single piece of wood with a single screw securing it to the bottom of the table. The brace should move freely but be secure to the table. If necessary tighten the brace screw.

5

Replace the old wooden brace and wedge with a metal leaf lock. Leaf locks are available at home-improvement centers. Follow the directions on the package for proper installation. Metal leaf locks have one part that attaches to the bottom of the leaf and a lever that attaches under the table.