Threaded leveling feet attach to worktable legs or machinery to compensate for uneven ground. They can also be used to increase the footprint of a leg post to avoid damage to the floor surface, and for vibration dampening.
I’m planning out an 80/20 t-slot extruded aluminum workstation build, and have been flip-flopping between two designs. One of the designs initially featured four vertical posts that directly contacted the floor, but that seemed undesirable after I gave it further thought. Leveling mounting feet seems like an easier alternative than machining the corners and edges of the extrusions.
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80/20 extrusions have easily tapped through-holes that span their entire length, making it quick and easy to add threaded mounts such as these. Finding the right mounting feet was not exactly a quick process.
Many industrial suppliers carry leveling feet, but I found that some only carry sizes with 3/8″ threaded studs and larger. Another problem is that many suppliers carry high-load mounts designed for heavier machinery and equipment. That translates to higher prices for features I don’t really need.
The ones shown here have 5/16-18 x 2″ studs, which matches the extrusions I plan to use, and leaves plenty of room for adjustment. I figure I’ll tap at least an inch of the extrusion to leave enough room for height and leveling adjustment.
These mounting feet have a base diameter of 2″ and hard plastic pads. Their load rating is 250 lbs per foot, so 4 feet should give me a load rating of 1000 lbs, which is more than enough for the intended usage.
Best of all, the price is just $2.69 each for small quantities. And they’re made in the USA, which makes me a little more confident about the quality and load rating.
I might search for another version that includes hex flats for easier adjustment, but the workstand I plan to build won’t be too heavy that I can’t support a leg while I spin the foot with my fingers. A locking jam nut is almost a given, but since I don’t have any jam nuts, I’ll use a regular sized one.
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5/16 x 2″ leveling feet via MSC
If you want a different size or style leveling foot or mount for your own project, MSC has a filter that can help you find the hardware with the dimensions and properties you need.
There are all kinds of options available – pivoting feet, taller feet, larger pads, softer pads, and of course a range of threaded stud sizes.
McMaster has a nice selection of leveling feet as well, with a quicker to use visual guide.
What about for wood? There are a couple of options – mounts with built-in T-nuts ($7 for 4 via Amazon), mounts designed for inside corners ($11 for 4 via Amazon), and those that can fixed to inner or outer surfaces ($16 for 4 via Amazon). I also like IKEA’s Capita legs, but those are sized more for home furniture use than in the workshop.
Note: While I call these leveling feet, they’re more often described as leveling pads or mounts. But searching for leveling feet will usually lead you to hardware and attachments better suited for use with table legs, which is what I had been looking for, for one of my 80/20 workstand project designs.
mnoswad1
More of these kinds of posts would be cool. Wonder if you could do a post of casters, movers dollies, stuff like that. Basically any post on the stuff that MSC or Reid Supply sells is good.
Also keep us up to date on the 80/20 project…….that stuff just looks cool, never mind its functional benefits.
Stuart
I’ll see what I can do, maybe I can turn it into a weekly column. The reason for hesitation is because 1) it’s uncertain how many readers find such posts interesting or beneficial, and 2) hardware topics can be difficult to keep short.
With this post I tried to provide project inspiration and spark brainstorming, rather than a thorough analysis about everything anyone ever wanted to know about leveling feet.
There’s a lot of hardware out there, via industrial suppliers like MSC or Reid Supply as you mentioned, that surprisingly few DIYers and even professionals are aware of.
With the 80/20 project, it’s going to be a very simple pair of workstand or desk legs. The legs will either be a common 4-leg table style with horizontal spans, or a pair of I-shaped or box-shaped legs with similar horizontal reinforcement. In either case I’ll probably need to use mounting feet.
RKA
This just helped me out! I have a dresser (2nd one shipped by the manufacturer) with a warped frame. Turns out it has these leveling feet and they were screwed all the way in. Further, they aren’t long enough to properly support the center of the dresser, hence it sags in the middle. McMaster has M6 levelers in a slightly longer length for a grand total of $4 and change for the pair! This will save me the trouble of cutting, nailing and screwing together some overly complicated solution. Thanks Stuart!
Stuart
I’m glad you found the post useful!
McMaster charges shipping after an order is placed, so the part will probably be a couple of bucks more than $4 and change if that’s all you ordered. Their shipping rates are very reasonable, and because they have warehouses around the country, shipping times are typically quite speedy. MSC as well.
RKA
I’m fortunate to have a warehouse 12 miles away with will call hours on Saturdays. Even better that its all country roads with no traffic! :). The dresser is fixed. Just had to cut 1/2″ off the threads. Thanks!
Joe 'the Pro' Sainz
I’m not sure the tapped threads in the extrusion are going to hold Stuart. Here’s a picture of how we are doing it in our labs.
Stuart
Thanks for the pic! I think it should hold fine as long as the threaded studs are inserted at least 1″ into the extrusion, 1-1/2″ being more preferable. Due to the hole size, thread engagement with 5/18-18 threaded post would be about 68% or so, which should suffice. If not, there’s always the option to attach a reinforcement base piece for greater stability, which might be necessary anyways if I opt to use double-wide extrusion.