Stop table wobbles!

Tired of spilling coffee on your homework papers or laptop keyboard? Don't waste perfectly good napkins to stop the wobble. Stick a few of these cork discs in your backpack or pocket and use them to steady that shaky table.

Step 1: Save that cork

The next time you open a bottle of wine, save that cork. Or, raid your friends' jar o' corks -- you know, the one they say is holding the corks for their next homemade bulletin board project.

Comments

[phraedus]

Cutting the cork into a doorstop wedge is a heaps better option. It accounts for a range of different heights in tables, and it looks much better than paper stuck under there by annoyed customers. The problem is that the next day when the tables are put out in the morning, they aren't in the same position, which is especially true when it isn't on solid ground. So this kind of problem reoccurs every day.

[CoinLaundry]

The synthetic cork should be immobilized as if it were in a clamp or a vise. Use a serrated blade, like a hacksaw or a "small toothed" steak knife. Never try to cut tough cylindrical, non-fibrous synthetic materials with a plain "toothless" blade when they are loose.

[iectyx3c]

Nah, I just roll the plastic cork gently back and forth on my work table. It cuts just fine with a gentle rolling motion and a sharp blade.

Wear leather work gloves if you like, but most importantly wear eye protection.

Finger cuts can be stitched. Bionic eyes are not yet available in high resolution and full color.

[RaNDoMLeiGH]

Ahhh, much better than using a doorstop. Yes, I carry around two or three doorstops with me, and often use them to level tables. The problem is forgetting to retrieve them. This way, I can just stick a few cork disks in a film cannister and who cares if they get left behind! Even a couple of self-stick ones would come in handy... Great idea! I have too many corks, I just toss them in that drawer in the kitchen that stuff like this goes into. Chop chop chop

[iectyx3c]

This is awesome for my local coffee shop. Following Randomleigh's ideas, I store them in a film canister and I added a bit of self-stick foam tape to the cork disks. I leave the backing on until I am ready to de-wobble a table. The tape really works. otherwise when they mop the floor at night, the disk gets swept up. I only use the synthetic corks and cut them easily with a regular Stanley utility knife. In the photo you can see the plastic key chain table wedges sold at hardware stores. These are about 3/16" (5mm) at the thick end. So that is how thick I cut my wedges too.

[A good name]

The one on the right won't work. Trust me, you'll cut your finger off before you cut through it, I've tried.

[jlee1834]

@A good name: If you mean the synthetic cork, I was able to cut through it fine with my swiss army knife. You definitely want to be careful anytime you use sharp instruments, though, so your comment is well taken.

[A good name]

Hmmm... Cork I've never had a problem with (a real cork, not synthetic) albeit it might not cut properly, however I've tried time and time again (even with really, really big knives) to cut the synthetics for projects, and it doesn't work.

[jlee1834]

There are probably different types of synthetic corks out there. The one in my photo is from a bottle of Pepperwood wine.

[A good name]

I suppose... I don't drink, just collect the corks, and I've had one that looks sort of like that cork (but I think a different wine), I tried it cut it, and it wouldn't work... I also tried driving a nail through it. It didn't work :P

[Browncoat]

Any extra tips on cutting the cork straight?

[rosquillo]

Moisten the knife before cutting.

[jlee1834]

@Browncoat, goodgnus is right. Wedges are fine and, in fact, may be the preferable shape. If you are worried about the cut itself being straight, I don't think that's as much of an issue. The knife blade does a good job of guiding itself through the cork. @goodgnus, Thanks for the comment!

[uguy]

Most excellent idea, thanks for sharing.

[RetroTechno]

So handy yet so simple!

[goodgnus]

Brilliant use of a wine cork! @Browncoat, if you happen to cut wedge shapes that's ok, this way you can adjust the lift by sliding the wedge in or out. Some restaurants around here have plastic wedges made specifically for leveling tables. Otherwise, just use a sharp knife and cut slowly.

[loximuthal]

Spreading joy and happyness to the world!