I have a slight issue. I’m currently planning my new layout, and I plan to build the first section 18 inches wide along one wall. The problem is, I didn’t want to attach it to the wall, as it isn’t “finished” and my parents might want to finish it at some point. I also want the ability to move it around, as it will be build in manageable, moveable, sections. I was going to build it on legs similar to Luke Towan’s tutorial:
The problem is, along that wall is a baseboard heater that sticks out a few inches, so I can’t just build legs on the four corners. My friend suggested that I just put the legs back a few inches so the layout fits against the wall. Is this the best solution or am I missing something easier and better?
Yup, just set the legs in. I will tell you this though - at only 18" wide, it’s going to be wobbly no matter how solid the legs are. You will likely want to put a couple of metal L brackets in to anchor it to the wall. This is easy to cover up if later the wall needs to be finished - just some spackle to cover the hole, like if there was a picture hung there. I had no problems doing this on my previous layout even though I was living in an apartment.
Randy makes a good point. On a wider table, setting the legs in three or four inches works well. On a 1½ foot table, three inches will be quite a bit, and as Randy said, make the table unstable.
I’m not an expert, but it seems that making the table an L shape would stabilize it quite a bit if you’re going to inset the legs several inches.
Even though I had an L shape at one end where my benchwork was narrow, it was still wobbly at the far end. By the L end it was stable, but get down to the free end and it still was wobbly even though the legs didn’t budge - they just lifted off the ground. SO I only needed 1 L bracket into the wall - just those little metal angles you find in the hardware section near the door knobs and door hinges.
It’s ok to set the legs back a bit to clear the baseboard heaters. It’s also good to set them back a bit on the front too as you will likely kick them with your feet otherwise.
Thanks for the help everyone, I believe I will set the legs back. The layout will eventually be an L shape, if not have an L on either end, but for now it will just be the 18 inches. I may attach it to the wall as well.
