| Project by Junji | posted 1548 days ago | 30612 views | 5 times favorited | 13 comments |  |
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I always wanted to make one of these Chabu-Dai, a traditional Japanese dining table. The structure is really from long time experience of Japanese carpenters, so I thought there must be a lot to learn building this table.
To know the structure of it well, I referenced this site, but all in Japanese (sorry), but even only with photos, you can get some ideas.
How to make Chabu-dai
Chabu-dai is usually a round shape table, that’s because even a little kid can move it by standing and roll it. But for me, it is more important to put it away in a small space, so I made a square one.
Actually this is “re-produce” from a normal low table from a store. I found this as clearance goods, which they were selling it at 800 yen (about $7). I think this is rubber wood.
Most difficult part is the head of the legs. It is round, but not symmetry. When you open the legs, the legs head has to touch the table top and friezes by as much plane as possible, not by a line or a point. And when you move the legs, either open or close, the leg shouldn’t touch the table top or friezes. To check it, I made friezes and legs first set.
The legs can be take away, using pins and springs. There are tiny little hole in friezes where pins are, so if you push the pins with fine needle, you can push out the pin from friezes.
I used some screws for friezes, but in old days, I believe they did it any bolts or screws.
I told you this is a dinig table in ancient days in Japan, some people still use as a dinig table, but we don’t. I feel more comfortable sitting in chair, not on the floor. We use this table in kids room. But you know, Japanese houses are really really small, so we have to put away what we don’t need.
-- Junji Sugita from Japan, http://tetra.blog12.fc2.com/
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13 comments so far
kiwi1969
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609 posts in 1611 days
#1 posted 1548 days ago
neat design, it,s alot like western “campaign” furniture that has to fold up for transportation. I checked your blog site and although I could not read it your children look very happy with the study desk you built. You do very nice work from such a simple workshop.
-- if the hand is not working it is not a pure hand
Junji
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698 posts in 1551 days
#2 posted 1548 days ago
Thanks Daryl,
Wow you saw my workshop! Actually it’s not a workshop, but it’s a garage. I have only small space that I can put a small work desk, and every time I do woodworking, I have to move my our outside… Oh well, someday, I will buy a bigger house with a HUGE workshop! Anyway, It’s very nice to meet somebody from Asia.
-- Junji Sugita from Japan, http://tetra.blog12.fc2.com/
Todd Thomas
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4969 posts in 1618 days
#3 posted 1548 days ago
Nice/smart design…looks good …..good job
-- Todd, Oak Ridge, TN, Hello my name is Todd and I'm a Toolholic, I bought my last tool 10 days, no 4 days, oh heck I bought a tool on the way here! †
tenontim
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2129 posts in 1914 days
#4 posted 1547 days ago
Very nice job, on this table and all of the other pieces you have posted on your website. I like the design elements of this table. It may be an answer to a stow away shop table that I’ve been trying to get ideas for. Of course, I would make the legs longer. The round table on your site has a very nice design to it. Thanks for the post
-- Tim-- http://www.tmuli.com
Junji
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698 posts in 1551 days
#5 posted 1547 days ago
Tim,
Glad to know you get some inspiration from my post. The longer legs you need, the wider table top you have to have. Good luck.
-- Junji Sugita from Japan, http://tetra.blog12.fc2.com/
Dick, & Barb Cain
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8681 posts in 2469 days
#6 posted 1543 days ago
I really like the table, it’s nice to see things made with the Asian influence.
The joinery is something special, & very interesting.
I also enjoyed your music. I sent a link to your music to my musician sons.
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
Dan Hux
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524 posts in 1543 days
#7 posted 1501 days ago
great table.. Great table for small spaces. Google.com has a website translator..you can just copy and paste any URL in the translator and it will translate for you..
-- Dan Hux,,,,Raleigh, NC http://whitdaniel.com
Dan Hux
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524 posts in 1543 days
#8 posted 1501 days ago
here is the site reference above in english
http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.odn.ne.jp%2Foak%2Fcyabudaino-kouzou.htm&sl=auto&tl=en&history_state0=
-- Dan Hux,,,,Raleigh, NC http://whitdaniel.com
Junji
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698 posts in 1551 days
#9 posted 1500 days ago
Dan,
Thank you for your useful information. I never thought about it, because I never had any trouble reading Japanese, but for those who can’t, it is great. Thanks for the link.
-- Junji Sugita from Japan, http://tetra.blog12.fc2.com/
Karson
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34370 posts in 2570 days
#10 posted 1500 days ago
A nice table. Congratulations on the construction.
-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
Junji
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698 posts in 1551 days
#11 posted 1500 days ago
Dick & Barb,
I can’t believe I forgot to reply to your message. Sorry.
Thank you for the comment, and thank you also for listening to my music. I hope your sons enjoy them too.
-- Junji Sugita from Japan, http://tetra.blog12.fc2.com/
Junji
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698 posts in 1551 days
#12 posted 1100 days ago
PrairieFire,
There are so much ideas for small houses in Japanese old culture. Futon may be the most greatest idea, we just use the mattress at night, and put away every morning. Being organized and use the space efficient has been what we all needed to do anyway, but I think there is beauty in it.
-- Junji Sugita from Japan, http://tetra.blog12.fc2.com/
a1Jim
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87182 posts in 1746 days
#13 posted 1089 days ago
Unique table . At least to me thanks for sharing.
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
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