How to Build a Japanese Coffee Table

Japanese style dcor demands a Japanese coffee table. However, cutting down a traditional dining room table just makes it shorter. To get the genuine Japanese feel of a coffee table, build a low table base and a top larger than the base which makes it more comfortable to sit around on the floor. Teakwood or other types of lumber can be used. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Place the four pieces of 1 x 8 inch lumber on a worktable and cut them to the length needed for your design. Measure from the ends of two of them and make marks 3/8 inch from the ends. Make the marks 1 inch from the long edges. Drill a pilot hole on the marks with a 1/16 inch drill bit.

2

Drill countersink holes on top of the pilot holes with a countersink drill bit. Do not drill the countersink holes deeper than 3/8 inch.

3

Apply glue to the ends of the two pieces without pilot holes. Put them between the wood with pilot holes and secure them through the pilot holes with 1 inch drywall screws. This is the frame for the Japanese coffee table.

4

Run a bead of glue around the edge of the perimeter of the frame. Cut the inch plywood so that it is larger than the base of the table but smaller than the intended size of the top. Secure it to the base with 6 penny finish nails.

5

Cut the four pieces of 2 x 12 inch lumber to the length needed for your design--consider a height that is comfortable. Set the table frame on top of the lumber and center it. Secure the frame to the 2 x 12 inch lumber top with 1 inch drywall screws.