An off-balance table or chair is an annoyance that you can try to ignore, or temporarily remedy by sticking a matchbook or stack of napkins under the offending leg. But there's an easy way to fix this problem permanently that just requires a few seconds on the table saw.
Northwest Woodworking Studio demonstrates how much easier it is to trim down the high legs to even out a stool, without losing inches on the height. By using the table saw as a reference, find out which of the two legs are high and then adjust the blade on your saw to only stick up 1/64 or 1/32 of an inch above the surface of the table. You can then use the blade as a planer to run your furniture leg over which will only take off a little bit at a time. Only remove the amount needed to make the stool stand flat.
The technique is much faster and just as accurate as using a hand plane and sandpaper to remove wood from the bottom of the stool, you've just got to track down a table saw if you don't have one.
Timothy is a lifelong DIY enthusiast who is fixated on smart home tech, beautiful tools, and wrenching on his FJ62 Land Cruiser. He’s the DIY editor at Popular Mechanics and also the founder of the home improvement site, Charles & Hudson, the Webby-nominated family site, Built by Kids, and Tool Crave. When not working, you’ll find him on his board or bike enjoying the LA weather with his family and friends. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter.
