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I screwed these hairpin legs

https://www.hcstore.net/Hairpin-Leg-Triplo-75cm

to a simple wood board to make a dining table, but the table is too unstable. I know that tables must have this framing structure so legs don't get wobbly,

enter image description here

but shouldn't the framing touch and be attached to the legs?

In summary, how to make a stable table with hairpin legs?

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  • What is the size of the board you're using as the tabletop? – mmathis Apr 11 '17 at 21:47
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I know that tables must have this framing structure so legs don't get wobbly,

Tables don't need this sort of framing to be stable, there are many thousands of tables (and seating benches) that don't have any — not least as seen in the pictures of the legs you purchased ;-)

In summary, how to make a stable table with hairpin legs?

  • The hairpin legs need to be built well enough that they aren't too springy. The ones you link to seem like they'd be more than good enough in this regard with the third rod welded inside the 'hairpin' shape (many similar legs don't have this added rod which presumably acts as a stiffener).
  • Thick top*. A thick top is stiffer and it will also provide a more secure fixing for fasteners.
  • Attach the legs securely — use enough screws and the screws need to be fat enough and/or long enough to hold well in whatever material is chosen for the top (solid wood holds screws better than MDF or chipboard/particleboard).
  • Use the right type of screws for the material. MDF and chipboard/particleboard benefit from using screws specifically intended for them, while solid wood works fine with normal wood screws.
  • Space the legs evenly.
  • Space the legs wide enough apart that they make a stable structure — the closer the legs are together the more unstable the shape formed because the table ends up top-heavy (the centre of gravity is high). When the legs are attached wider apart the centre of gravity lowers. Lower centre of gravity = more stable. If your table is not that wide for its length position the legs as near to the long edges as possible.

*If the table is wide enough. The narrower the table the thinner you want the top (within reason obviously) so that it isn't as top-heavy. 12mm material can be strong enough for a table that sees regular use, without framing or other reinforcement, although go thicker if you can.

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    I believe the center of gravity remains the same regardless of the leg separation. The difference is if there is a force pushing the table sideways,the center of gravity remains inside the span of the legs preventing the table from tipping. – Ashlar♦ Apr 10 '17 at 17:57
  • Your centre of gravity shifts upwards when you bring your arms into your sides versus holding them outstretched, which is why tightrope walkers raise their arms if they're not using a pole. I would have thought the same basic principle applies here but I'm no physicist. – Graphus Apr 12 '17 at 7:38
  • Is there a science/math teacher in the house? :) – Ashlar♦ Apr 12 '17 at 22:29
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    Not a math teacher, but no, stretching your arms doesn't lower your center of gravity, since your total mass and distribution stays the same. Crouching would do that, technically. The reason for the pole and outstretched arms is to distribute mass away from the pivot point to increase the torque needed to rotate the person, exactly the same effect as an ice skater using their arms to control spin. Regardless, your point is still correct - a wider base requires more force to "pivot" the table over the feet (push it over). @Ashlar – Isaac Kotlicky May 23 '17 at 0:44
  • @IsaacKotlicky So much for the explanations given in commentary on ice skating and tightrope walking! Not that at this stage in my life I expect that sort of thing to be accurate any more LOL – Graphus May 23 '17 at 6:41
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Years later, I found out that the hairpin leg must be attached to the top board in a way that the angle between the board and the leg is not 90 degrees. The legs should look a little spread to make it stable.

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    The link in the Q has gone stale so we can't look at the original legs, but the angle of hairpin legs is fixed by the bracket at the top of them. Some splay as you're describing here, but others are designed to be vertical and with those the other factors come into play. – Graphus Jan 27 at 7:42

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