This video documents the process of building a 9-foot long white oak console table, primarily to provide a convenient surface behind a couch and a spot for the family cat. The main challenge is that the available oak boards are only 6 feet long, necessitating a method to extend them. The solution chosen is a complex traditional Japanese scarf joint, the Kakushi Kanawa Suki. The video details the learning process, including making a practice joint with hand tools, before tackling the full-scale version for the tabletop using a combination of power tools and hand tools, encountering and resolving a router mistake along the way. The table base features a trestle design with glueless joinery, also requiring a simpler scarf joint for one of its components. The project culminates in the successful assembly of the table, finished with Rubio Monocoat, and its placement in the home.
Building a 9-Foot Japanese Joinery Console Table
0:00:07 Project Goal: After an 18-month house remodel, the woodworker aims to build a 9-foot long console table for behind the couch, needed for convenience with a newborn and for their cat, Sloop.
0:01:04 Material Challenge: The available white oak boards are only 6 feet long, requiring a way to extend them for the 9-foot tabletop.
0:01:18 Japanese Joinery Solution: The woodworker decides to use a "Kakushi Kanawa Suki," a blind dadoed rabbited scarf joint from "The Complete Japanese Joinery" book, known for its structural integrity without glue.
0:02:40 Practice Joint: A practice version of the complex joint is first attempted on softer cherry wood, primarily using hand tools (Suizan saws, chisels, marking gauge) to understand its intricate interlocking parts. This takes a full day.
0:08:17 Panel Glue-Up: White oak panels for the actual tabletop are glued up using Rockler panel clamps.
0:10:12 Templated Approach for Main Joint: For the larger white oak joint, a template is created for efficiency and accuracy, and power tools are introduced for initial material removal, with some hand tool refinement.
0:12:25 Router Chip-Out: A minor chip-out occurs during template routing on an unsupported corner, which is planned to be addressed later.
0:13:40 Sponsor Segment: The video features an update and positive review of a Mr. Cool mini-split system that was installed previously, highlighting its DIY-friendly nature and year-round performance.
0:16:37 Trestle Base Design: The table base is designed as a trestle table with an "hourglass" leg shape, aiming for glueless joinery and using leftover quartersawn white oak.
0:18:12 Glueless Base Assembly: The base components (feet, legs, cross braces) are designed to slot together without glue, using dados and tenons cut with the table saw and router table.
0:24:24 Secondary Scarf Joint: The top cross brace for the base also needs to be longer than 6 feet, so a simpler scarf joint, secured with a square peg (initially walnut, later improved with rosewood and draw boring), is made.
0:29:08 Router Bit Mistake & Fix: A specific slot-cutting router bit is acquired to finish the main tabletop joint. However, a crucial slot is mistakenly cut on the wrong side. This is repaired by gluing in a filler piece of wood.
0:33:10 Successful Main Joint Fit: After hours of work and the repair, the complex Kakushi Kanawa Suki joint for the tabletop is test-fitted and successfully comes together with mallet persuasion.
0:34:13 Rosewood Key: A decorative and functional key made from rosewood is crafted to lock the main scarf joint, with its design informed by advice from Chris of Cow Dog Craft Works.
0:35:59 Finishing: All parts are sanded and chamfered. Rubio Monocoat 5% Mist is applied as the finish, with Bumblechutes all-natural wood finish used on the rosewood accents.
0:38:02 Final Assembly: The table is assembled, with the base components fitting together gluelessly. The tabletop is attached to the base using screws for added security.
0:39:14 Project Completion & Reflection: The woodworker expresses great satisfaction with the challenging build, particularly the Japanese joinery and the glueless base. Plans for the table are made available. The table fulfills its purpose for the family and the cat.