A Question For Our Wood Working Saloon-a-tics

[Calamity Kris]

Uno and I are trying to furnish our house on a budget. We picked up what looks to be a quarter sawn wood cabinet with glass doors. It looks like it had begun its life as a wall mounted cabinet, possibly from a medical office because it has a lock in one of the doors. At some point someone built a base for it and it became a bookcase with glass doors. I call it "The Swan" because it has a lot of potential. I would post a picture of it but I don't have an online photo service.

 

I would like to take the hideous looking base off of it and put some kind of wooden feet on it instead. Is there a place where I can buy wooden furniture feet or is that something I would have to make? I intend to completely disassemble it so I can sand and stain it, put a new back panel on it and add the feet. I will know more about it's construction once I remove the base.

 

Thanks,

 

CK

[Tom Bullweed]

Small furniture manufacturers buy extra pieces from manufacturers. I have a table that a friend made using very ornate mahogany legs that were extras in a 400-piece order. They were very reasonable and beyond anything from a hardware store.

This old internet is likely full of similar options. Your local woodworking store, not a hardware store, may know of local sources.

[Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217]

You can buy all kinds of turned spindles, if that is what you are looking for. Lowes should have them as should a molding shop.

[Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217]

Or, Google Image search "oak furniture legs for sale." Lots of stuff out there.

 

Here is a source for feet. http://www.vandykes.com/bun-feet/c/367/

[Texas Lizard]

Something that adjust...So you can level the unit out...

 

Texas Lizard

[Charlie Harley, #14153]

Kris, I'm sending you a PM with contact info. What you're describing sounds like a totally amazing project. I love repurposing furniture into new and beautiful pieces. But it's not a simple "where do I buy legs" proposition.

 

Was your original wall-mounted piece designed to be supported from the base? Its internal structure can make or break your idea.

 

How would you like the final piece to look? Quarter sawn lumber is beautiful, but adding sub-standard legs can be a huge ruh-roh.

 

<minor break>

 

I see you don't live nearby, so shoot me a note or call and let's figure out how to make this piece beautiful and functional.

[Yul Lose]

One thing you need to be careful of when you make a conversion such as this is are the new legs going to give the piece a tip hazard potential. Another thing is the piece may not be structurally sound enough to be supported by corner legs alone and may need additional support.

[Calamity Kris]

Thank you all for the great info.

 

I found VanDykes after doing a Google search, A.M. Very pretty items there.

 

I will have to think hard about the adjustment aspect, TL. I don't want the metal feet on my hardwood floors.

 

Right back atcha, Charlie. Thanks for the info.

 

I think the reason they put the hideous base on it in is because of it's structural integrity, Yul. It's 64" wide so I do want to put a center set of feet on it. No legs though. The feet will be maybe 3" at the most.

 

Thank you again for the great info and ideas. I'm really looking forward to the weather warming up so I can work on it.

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

Van Dykes Restorers is a gold mine. I've used them for several projects.