3-Rod Hairpin Leg (Bare Metal) (All Sizes)
Regular price $17.00
Description
A mid-century modern design staple, 3-rod (or 3 pin) hairpin legs also make an easy and quick DIY project. Their versatility and our easy-to-install design, you can quickly transform any ordinary tabletop, crate, cabinet, or live edged wood and create one-of-a-kind furniture for your home at an affordable price.The 3 Rod steel leg is a stronger and sturdier version recommended for heavy table tops and leg lengths higher than 25". The extra rod of steel makes the legs stiffer, prevents them from flexing, and adds more overall stability to your finished piece.
Select the raw steel finish and keep the industrial look of the legs or have us powder coat them, saving you time and energy while preserving your piece for many years to come.
Product Specs
- Price is per leg (choose the appropriate amount for your project/s)
- Built with 3/8" cold rolled round bar steel
- Mounting bracket is a plasma cut L 4¾"x 4¾" and pre drilled for ¼” screws
- Legs are built at a slight angle (5-15 degrees depending on length, the shorter the leg the more significant the angle)
How to order
2- Choose the appropriate length or height you want your legs
3- Choose the quantity needed for your project
4- Add to cart
FAQs
What size screws do I need?
Our mounting plate is pre-drilled for ¼” screws. Screw length will be determined by the thickness of your tabletop. Select the longest screw you can that will not puncture the table top. For example, your table top is 1" thick, we would recommend 3/4" screw length. For more advice, we recommend consulting your local hardwood store.
How do I mount my hairpin legs?
1) Turn your tabletop upside down on a scratch-free surface.
2) Position one leg at a time in the corners of the tabletop, approximately 1 ½” - 2 ½” in from the edges.
3) Drill a pilot hole to avoid wood splitting and then temporarily attach the leg with 2 screws.
4) Repeat the process with the remaining legs.
5) Flip the table over and assess your work. Finish attaching your legs with the remaining screws.
Will my hairpin legs rust?
Raw steel will rust if left untreated. You have many options for finishing your raw steel hairpin legs (see below).
How do I finish my raw steel hairpin legs?
Before boxing your legs up, we applied a light amount of oil to prevent oxidization during transport. Remove all residual oil using rubbing alcohol, paint thinner, etc. If some surface rust has appeared, you can remove it by rubbing the legs gently with steel wool or 220 grit sandpaper. If you wish to keep the industrial look of the steel, we suggest clear coating your legs either using a transparent spray paint like Rust-Oleum Clear Coat, beeswax or linseed oil. You can paint the legs to create a pop of color or metallic (copper, gold, brass) finish. We recommend Rust-Oleum Universal or any other 2-in 1 paint primer intended for metal.
How do I get the “brushed” steel leg look?
Using some Scotch Brite or 220 grit sandpaper, gently rub the legs gently to obtain the “brushed” effect. Please note you will still need to protect the legs either with paint, beeswax or linseed oil as raw steel will rust over time.
How do I select the right hairpin leg length for my project?
In determining the right length of hairpin legs, you want to first consider how high you want the top surface of your piece to be overall and then deduct the thickness of the material you will be mounting the legs to. For example, you want your dining room table to stand at 30” high and your wooden table top is 2” thick, we recommend 28” hairpin legs.
Below is a list of standard hairpin lengths for common DIY hairpin projects.
4” - Low Cabinet
6” - Platform Bed
8” - Raised Sofa
10” - Raised Sideboards, Media Stands, Record Cabinets
12 - 18” - Coffee Table (tables should be lower than 2” from the seat of your couch)
16” - Bench, Stool
20” - End Table, Side Table to complement standard coffee table
25” - Nightstand
28” - Dining Table, Desk (12” between your sitting surface and the top of the table).
28 - 30” - Entryway, Foyer Table, Console Table, Sofa Table (table should be level with the back of the sofa or 1” below it)
How much weight can hairpin legs support?
The amount of weight hairpin legs can support depend on the height and the type (2-Rod, 3-Rod, or Heavy Duty). Generally speaking: shorter legs can hold more weight than taller legs and 3-Rod and Heavy Duty legs are stronger than 2-Rod hairpins. Below are some general guidelines for common hairpin leg lengths:
| Leg Height | Type of Leg | Max Weight |
| 16” Standard Height for Benches, Coffee Tables | 2-Rod 3-Rod Heavy Duty Heavy Duty 3-Rod | 300 lbs 550 lbs + 550 lbs 550 lbs+ |
| 28” Standard Height for Desks, Dining Tables, Consoles | 2-Rod 3-Rod Heavy Duty Heavy Duty 3-Rod | 35 lbs 130 lbs 55 lbs 260 lbs |
When should I get the 3-Rod?
We strongly recommend 3-Rod legs for desks and dining room tables to prevent your table from being wobbly. The extra rod of steel makes the legs stiffer, prevents them from flexing, and adds more overall stability to your finished piece.
