How to Build a Japanese Coffee Table

Japanese style décor 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.

Lumber, 4 pieces of 1 x 8 inch
Variable speed drill
Drill bit, 1/16 inch
Countersink drill bit
Wood glue
Philips head screw tip
Drywall screws, 1¼ inch
Plywood, 1 piece ¾ inch
Penny finish nails, 6
Hammer
Lumber, 4 pieces of 2 x 12 inch
Drywall screws, 1¾ inch

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 1¼ 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 ¾ 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 1¾ inch drywall screws.

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