Expert: Jamie Yocono - 11/20/2006

Question
I've seen the pictures of fancy etageres, bookcases, etc., and the ones that use the equivalent of 2x2s for the legs have mystified me. I'm no woodworker, so I need to buy these legs ready-made, BUT...no lumber yard or building supply house has any 2x2s that are decent quality and straight. All are very warped, and of a light, almost balsa type wood. I ended up screwing 2 1x2s of yellow pine together, and it works but I'm not happy with it. Where do these fancy 2x2s come from? I'm not capable of cutting them out of larger pices. I hope you can help. Thanks.

Answer
Hi Tom,

From reading your letter, I can't tell if you're looking for the 2 x 2 stock to make your own legs, or you're looking for ready made legs. Most home improvement centers are only going to offer limited choices for ready made legs, and their selection of wood isn't that great, either. So you need to look elsewhere.

There are many companies out there that sell these items, so you're in luck.

Three of my favorite companies are:

Adams Wood Products  (www.adamswoodproducts.com)  

Matthew Burak's company (www.tablelegs.com)

Osborne's  (www.osbornewood.com)

I have purchased from these three places, and find their quality to be good, and their prices fair. I think if you check these, you'll not only find 2 x 2 stock to make your own legs, but you'll find some ready made legs that will save you a lot of time.

OK, good luck, I hope this helps. Please feel free to write back if you have any further questions after reading this.  And if this answer was helpful... please take a minute and rate my service. Thanks!

Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com