4x4 table legs, particle board and replacing the apron on a table

The top and apron are particle board, the legs are tapered 4x4 posts that are held in place with screws and an angled piece of wood that also joins the corners of the table. The screws are large/long and go thru the angled piece into the legs which have some kind of metal tube/inserts that also have loosened, not coming out but the holes are too big/screws too small. The surface is in decent shape and it is very heavy but of course with years of moving and use, the legs and apron now need repair.

I'm thinking I could use plywood and cut it the same size as the underneath of the table and glue it in place. That would make new wood for metal brackets to join the apron to the top instead of triangle shaped pieces of wood along all the edges, make new apron pieces out of 1x4 (size they are now) wood not particle board and use metal brackets to join the corners. Do I try to remove the metal tubes/inserts or just get next bigger size of screws?

Am I even on the right track? I don't want to waste time and money if it's just gonna fall apart in a couple months but also don't want to toss a good table top just because the legs are wobbly.

Thanks, Kathy

 

I've never liked particle board! I think I'd put it back pretty much the same but use 1x lumber. Are the wood brackets real wood or PB? are they secure to the top?

 

Thanks marksr for the reply. Me either on the particle board, pretty much a waste on furniture that gets used a lot.

They are particle board same as the apron boards so I planned to use metal brackets or I can cut new ones from real wood, whichever is better? Or maybe a combination? A few are secure, others aren't. I have already moved a few of them over spacing wise when they "ripped out" so that's why I planned to put a whole new piece of plywood on the underside of the table. Better "grip" thru the new wood and use liquid nails or other adhesive to keep it stable while I put the brackets in.

Kathy

 

I would think a wood triangle piece would be stronger than an L bracket ..... but I'm a painter, not a carpenter or furniture maker so I can't say for sure.