Engawa Table

Dimensions

Cut list

Tools you'll need

• ✓

  Measuring Tape (5m or longer)

  Used for measuring all parts.

• ✓

  Pencil and Carpenter's Square

  For marking lines and confirming right angles.

• ✓

  Saw

  Using the home center cutting service is recommended.

• ✓

  Electric Screwdriver

  Using an impact driver improves work efficiency.

• ✓

  Sandpaper

  Prepare two types: #120 and #240.

• ✓

  Level

  Essential for confirming levelness during assembly.

• ✓

  Clamps (2 or more)

  Used for temporary fixing during joining.

• ✓

  Paint Brush and Paint Tray

  Used for applying wood preservative coatings.

Materials

Build steps

1. 1

   Measurement and Checking the Usage Environment

   ≈ 15 min

   Measure the installation space for the Engawa Table (1200×600×350mm). Confirm front and back space to sit with chair pulled out (chair depth + at least 400mm), and check routing for dish serving.

   Measure

   W 1200 mm

   MeasureSTEP 1 / 12

   Tip

   • For standard dining style, allow about 600mm width × 400mm depth per person.
   • Table height 720mm assumes typical dining chair seat height (420mm) + clearance of 300mm.
   • Maintain a minimum of 800mm distance to the wall for chair pull-out.

   Watch out

   • Table top 1200×700mm is standard for 4 people, but can be cramped if many large dishes are served.
   • If chair backrest thickness is overlooked during measurement, entering and exiting becomes difficult.
2. 2

   Creating Cut List and Ordering at Home Center

   ≈ 40 min

   Prepare nine 2x6 lumber pieces for the tabletop (38×140×1200mm), four 2x4 lumber pieces for legs (38×89×312mm), two long apron boards (38×89×1124mm), two short apron boards (38×89×524mm). Prepare 60 pieces of 75mm coarse-thread screws. Using paid cutting service at home center is convenient.

   Cut

   Use the in-store cut service

   CutSTEP 2 / 12

   Tip

   • 2x6 lumber is actually 38×140mm. Note that nominal and actual sizes differ.
   • Arranging 9 tabletop boards gives 140×9=1260mm total. Even with 3mm gaps between each (×8 gaps =24mm), total length reaches 1284mm.
   • Actual effective tabletop width is 9×140 + 8×3=1284mm, exceeding 1200mm, so adjust quantity or width accordingly.

   Watch out

   • Selecting warped or twisted 2x6 lumber results in wavy tabletop. Visually inspect each piece when purchasing.
   • Leg length is 312mm = height 350 - tabletop thickness 38mm. Specify exact lengths when cutting to avoid mistakes.
3. 3

   Sanding All Parts

   ≈ 50 min

   Sand with sandpaper in order: #120 → #180 → #240. Sand 2x6 lumber for tabletop especially carefully—repeatedly wipe surface with a damp cloth to raise grain, let dry fully, then finish with #240. This makes it harder for food stains to soak in.

   Sand

   #120 → #180 → #240

   SandSTEP 3 / 12

   Tip

   • Since it's a dining surface, splinters must be absolutely avoided. Confirm by running finger pads over surface.
   • 'Wet sanding' step (damp wipe, drying, then sanding again) reduces fuzziness after use.
   • Using an orbital sander reduces time. Consider rental services.

   Watch out

   • Forgetting to chamfer edges causes fabric or skin snags, especially at child's face height.
   • Sanding generates large amount of dust. Work in ventilated areas like balcony or garage.
4. 4

   Temporary Assembly of Legs and Apron (Frame Creation)

   ≈ 45 min

   Place four leg pieces, mark 50mm down from the top end for the apron boards. Attach long and short apron boards to the outside of legs, fastening with two 75mm coarse-thread screws each joint. Successful construction forms a rectangular frame. Always verify right angles at corners with carpenter's square.

   Build the frame

   Tighten joints firmly

   AssembleSTEP 4 / 12

   Tip

   • Strength varies depending on whether aprons are mounted outside or inside legs; outside looks better but inside provides stronger contact with tabletop.
   • Drill φ5mm pilot holes in apron boards before screwing to prevent splitting leg wood.
   • Right angles at joints directly affect tabletop fitting.

   Watch out

   • Driving 75mm screws without pilot holes splits 2x4 lumber easily.
   • Not aligning knot direction and wood grain orientation results in inconsistent appearance.
5. 5

   Checking Frame Right Angles and Diagonal Lengths

   ≈ 15 min

   Place assembled frame on flat floor, confirm all four legs touch (check wobbling). Measure the two inner diagonal lengths with tape measure; ensure discrepancy is within 2mm. If off, loosen screws, clamp corrections from diagonal direction, then tighten again.

   Inspect

   No wobble ✓

   InspectSTEP 5 / 12

   Tip

   • Measurement values are inaccurate if floor isn't flat. Work on level surface.
   • If diagonal difference exceeds 5mm, the tabletop will sit skewed. Always keep within 2mm.
   • Wobble means one leg is lifted off ground. Correct until all legs rest.

   Watch out

   • Proceeding with distortions leads to floating or misaligned tabletop edges.
   • Accuracy of carpenter's square is critical. Cheap ones may have errors exceeding 0.5°.
6. 6

   Tabletop Assembly

   ≈ 40 min

   Arrange nine 2x6 tabletop pieces on workbench, aligning wood grain direction. Insert 3mm thick bamboo skewers between boards to create expansion gaps ('breathing space'). Attach two 2x4 support beams (cleats) on underside using wood glue and 45mm coarse-thread screws to bind into one unit.

   Build the frame

   Tighten joints firmly

   AssembleSTEP 6 / 12

   Tip

   • Alternate the heartwood direction (growth ring orientation) of boards to counteract warping.
   • Position cleats 200mm inside from tabletop edges for better appearance.
   • 45mm screws must not penetrate the 38mm thickness; always verify actual length.

   Watch out

   • Forcing boards tightly without gaps causes swelling and warping from moisture. Always maintain 3mm gap.
   • Skewed cleats cause overall tabletop distortion; verify right angles with carpenter's square.
7. 7

   Fixing Tabletop to Frame

   ≈ 30 min

   Place tabletop on frame, checking balance so overhang is about 30mm on all sides. Drill φ5mm pilot holes from apron boards upward into tabletop underside, then drive 75mm coarse-thread screws—4 from long apron boards, 2 from short apron boards, total 12 screws.

   Build the frame

   Tighten joints firmly

   AssembleSTEP 7 / 12

   Tip

   • An overhang of 30-50mm avoids interference with dining movements.
   • Drive screws closer to inside edge of apron, not center, to reduce wood splitting.
   • Screw length must be less than apron thickness + 20mm to avoid penetrating tabletop surface.

   Watch out

   • Driving 75mm screws directly may cause screw heads to protrude on tabletop face. Use pilot holes and countersinking.
   • Excessive overhang (>50mm) causes tabletop sagging; about 30mm is ideal.
8. 8

   Preparation for Painting

   ≈ 20 min

   Lightly sand entire assembly again with #240 sandpaper before painting, wipe off dust with damp cloth. Use water-based urethane varnish, wood preservatives like Keshiradeco or Osmo Color, suitable for outdoor use. For surfaces contacting food, use paints labeled 'conforming to Food Sanitation Law' for safety.

   Sand

   #240

   SandSTEP 8 / 12

   Tip

   • Water-based urethane varnish (matte or semi-gloss) offers strong water and heat resistance, suitable for dining.
   • Keshiradeco preserves natural wood texture and yields a soft finish.
   • Always test paint color on scrap wood piece before applying actual coating.

   Watch out

   • Glue residues repel paint; scrape off thoroughly with #240 sandpaper.
   • Dust left on surface causes rough finish; clean meticulously.
9. 9

   First Coat Painting

   ≈ 40 min

   Apply paint with brush to all surfaces in order: tabletop → apron boards → legs → undersides, brushing with the wood grain to avoid brush marks. Water-based urethane varnish requires about 3 hours drying. Keshiradeco should be left for 15-20 minutes to soak then wiped, then dried 2 hours.

   Paint

   Watco oil / varnish

   PaintSTEP 9 / 12

   Tip

   • Thin coats twice is standard for urethane varnish; thick coats cause bubbles and shrinkage.
   • Excess Keshiradeco must be wiped off to prevent stickiness after drying.
   • Place painted work in dust-free area during drying.

   Watch out

   • Applying varnish thickly causes drips and uneven finish upon drying.
   • Drying in direct warm airflow hardens surface only, leaving inside semi-wet; natural drying best.
10. 10

    Intermediate Sanding and Second Coat

    ≈ 40 min

    Once the first coat is fully dry, lightly sand surface with very fine #400 sandpaper (intermediate sanding). Remove dust then apply second coat, a bit thinner than the first. For three coats to thicken film (for dining use), do intermediate sanding again between coats.

    Paint

    Watco oil / varnish

    PaintSTEP 10 / 12

    Tip

    • #400 sanding lightly smooths only fuzz raised post-first coat.
    • Two coats greatly improve water resistance and abrasion durability, essential for dining surfaces.
    • Three coats create a hard, glossy finish like professional tables.

    Watch out

    • Excessive intermediate sanding can peel off first coat.
    • Touching before drying causes fingerprints and dust adherence. Follow at least 24 hours drying.
11. 11

    Waiting for Full Curing of Coating

    ≈ 10 min

    After painting, wait at least 72 hours without placing heavy items to allow full curing. Water-based urethane varnish takes one week for final cure. Avoid using table for meals or tasks, lightly cover with cloth to prevent dust settling.

    Paint

    Watco oil / varnish

    PaintSTEP 11 / 12

    Tip

    • Curing time varies depending on paint type; strictly follow can instructions.
    • Confirm full cure by lightly pressing surface with fingernail without leaving dent.
    • Drying time depends on temperature: summer 3-4 days, winter 1 week or more.

    Watch out

    • Placing hot pots before cure melts and marks coating.
    • Dropping dishes chips coating; be careful until fully cured.
12. 12

    Attaching Leg Pads and Final Check

    ≈ 20 min

    Attach felt pads to four leg bottoms to protect floors. Move table to installation site. Use level to check horizontal position. Adjust pad thickness to fix wobbling. Sit on chair and check knees don't touch apron boards.

    Done!

    Done — nice work!

    DoneSTEP 12 / 12

    Tip

    • Use 10mm thick felt pads to absorb minor floor unevenness.
    • Use felt pads on hard floors and rubber pads on tatami mats.
    • If wobble remains, adjust by using thinner pad on one leg.

    Watch out

    • Using table without pads causes floor scratches from weight.
    • If chair-to-table height difference is not 270-300mm, dining posture worsens.

Warnings

• ⚠️For outdoor use, wood preservative coating is essential (re-coat once a year recommended).
• ⚠️Use stainless steel screws (iron screws will rust).
• ⚠️Drill pilot holes before screwing to prevent wood splitting.
• ⚠️Place the pier stones level (if tilted, joists will warp).

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