Japanese End Table

Brian Benham

Brian Benham’s End Table was heavily influenced by his interest in Japanese culture and architecture. In the design he brought in several architectural elements to give it the look and feel of a Japanese aesthetic. The overall design plays with subtle angles and curves to create an elegant table. The construction of the table focuses on traditional joinery techniques.

Table Dimensions: 20"H x 20"W x 13"D

  • 7 lessons
  • 120 min
  • $49.00

Here's what we'll cover:

  1. Design

    A look at how the table was designed and the reasons for my choices.

  2. Lumber Selection and Table Top

    Let’s select the lumber for our project and start on the top.

  3. Legs and Rails

    Now we can make our legs, rails, and the associated joinery.

  4. Arched Lower Front and Rear Rails

    The arched rail and associated joinery.

  5. Arched Lower Side Rails

    The arched lower side rails and re-cutting the mortises.

  6. Finishing Touches and Glue-Up

    We’ll sand, treat the edges, and assemble the table.

  7. HVLP and Conversion Varnish Finish

    A look at conversion varnish and the art of spraying via HVLP!

What will I receive?

  • Detailed cut list and plans including a PDF and a SketchUp file (Metric and Imperial).
  • Video instruction showing every step of the build.
  • All videos and plans are digital and will be available for download upon purchase.

What will I learn?

  • How to use inspiration to design furniture
  • Curved half lap joinery (hand tool method)
  • Mortise and tenon joinery (table saw and router method)
  • Cutting angles and curves
  • An alternative design method for designing with curves
  • HVLP Spray finishing

What will I need?

Reviews:

Great project. Was not a lengthy build which I appreciated, although I chose to use all hand tools on this one, I will definitely be using some of these methods taught with videos in future projects.

Chris DuCasse
Guild Member
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About Your Instructor:

Brian began his career in the trades when he was 13; he took an entry-level position working in a steel fabrication shop for a bridge construction company.  Being the kid in the shop, the old grizzled welders took pride in teaching him how to weld, set up his work area to be safe and productive, build jigs for production, and how to properly lay out a workpiece from shop drawings.

In his mid 20’s, he worked as a project manager for a design remodel company designing and remodeling spaces for commercial and residential clients. The company had an in-house cabinet shop so they could design and build from the ground up anything they needed for a project. When Brian wasn’t on a job site, you could find him in the cabinet shop, working alongside a shop master, creating custom cabinets and built-ins.

All these years of designing and building things honed his skills to give him the confidence he needed to start his own business.  In 2010 Brian started his design-build firm, Benham Design Concepts, specializing in designing and building custom furniture. His drive to learn new things has helped his portfolio grow and attract clients who are looking for the unusual.

Brian has been making plans for the Wood Whisperer and the Wood Whisperer Guild for several years now and often provides consultation on TWW and Guild designs.

His Instagram and Youtube handle is @benham_design