Nakashima Conoid Table: A Masterpiece Of Japanese Woodworking
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ก.ย. 2024
- #nakashimatable #japanesecarpentry #liveedgetable
The Nakashima Conoid table was a design I came across in George Nakashima’s book "The Soul of a Tree." Part memoir, part woodworking manual, and part esoteric philosophical discussion, I found this book to be highly inspirational in choosing my next woodworking project and it definitely qualifies as woodworking art. George Nakashima, a studied and experienced architect, had an appreciation for Japanese architecture and traditional design. George Nakashima's conoid design series specifically is one of the most celebrated furniture series of the 20th century and this live edge table is especially noteworthy. A lot of folks are extremely familiar with the conoid chair, but this conoid trestle style table is incredibly gorgeous and presents its own set of building challenges. So when I looked at his table design, which was both intricate yet subtle, I wanted to find a way to incorporate traditional Japanese joinery aka Japanese timber frame joinery.
This live edge table build features Cuban mahogany for the live edge table top, with live edges being a staple of traditional George Nakashima furniture.The live edge table legs or live edge table base rather, is constructed of 8/4 mahogany (2" thick), that is a slightly darker shade to provide a bit of a contrast. This is not your typical diy dining table, but rather a truly Nakashima inspired table, utilizing angular splay, and a variation on the traditional joint ari shiguchi.
While not a true reproduction of a Nakashima dining table, this live edge wood dining table draws strong inspiration from the traditional Conoid Nakashima table base and hopes to deliver you some non-traditional live edge table base ideas, better than the often overdone farmhouse trestle base. The book matched live edge wood table slabs give this Nakashima inspired table a true authentic feel, that is beyond the standard wood slab dining table. For finish, this live edge slab dining table was done with pure tung oil and this video will show you how to use that extremely simple product for finishing aa live edge table top, no sprayers or fancy finishing devices necessary.
Help support my work through the following affiliate links, all products utilized in the making of this project:
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RIDGID 1-Layer Standard Pleated Paper Filter for Most 5 Gal. and Larger RIDGID Wet/Dry Shop Vacuums (2-Pack): homedepot.sjv....
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The Soul of a Tree: A Woodworker's Reflections (Book): amzn.to/3sSEmAt
The Complete Japanese Joinery (Book): amzn.to/2OAj1sM
Center Punch: amzn.to/3fSQsCj
Stanley Sweetheart Chisels: amzn.to/2ZATrKg
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Glu-bot Glue Bottle: amzn.to/2CdxYOV
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Dewalt Compact Drill: amzn.to/3ht3tng
Metric Japanese Style Carpenter's Square: amzn.to/35kC3fG
Rok Hardware 14 Gauge Table Top Fasteners with Screws: amzn.to/38CzW94
Mini Square 10x5cm: amzn.to/36mtcti
Faber-Castell Ecco Pigment 0.1 mm Pen: amzn.to/36oLni8
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Help support my work through the following affiliate links, all products utilized in the making of this project:
The Real Milk Paint Company's Impressive line of finishing products (Special Affiliate Link):
www.realmilkpaint.com/ref/cowdogcraftworks/
For 10% off use coupon code: cowdogcraftworks
-Starbond CA Glues (Special Affiliate Link): bit.ly/36sB2Bv
-Western Saws Sourced from Florip Toolworks (Non-affiliate): floriptoolworks.com/
RIDGID 1-Layer Standard Pleated Paper Filter for Most 5 Gal. and Larger RIDGID Wet/Dry Shop Vacuums (2-Pack): homedepot.sjv.io/gvD1O
14 Gal. 6.0-Peak HP NXT Shop Vacuum: homedepot.sjv.io/qrj1O
RIDGID 9 Gal. 18-Volt Cordless Shop Vacuum: homedepot.sjv.io/oQaNm
The Soul of a Tree: A Woodworker's Reflections (Book): amzn.to/3sSEmAt
The Complete Japanese Joinery (Book): amzn.to/2OAj1sM
Center Punch: amzn.to/3fSQsCj
Stanley Sweetheart Chisels: amzn.to/2ZATrKg
Solid Brass Wheel Marking Gauge: amzn.to/3jfDFfR
DFM Tool Works Card Scraper Set: amzn.to/2CMZp1W
DFM Tool Works Card Scraper Burnisher: amzn.to/2ZAwzuv
DFM Tool Works Small Square and Center Finder: amzn.to/3jfFdXd
Glu-bot Glue Bottle: amzn.to/2CdxYOV
Mineral Spirits: amzn.to/31xTBmG
Dewalt Compact Drill: amzn.to/3ht3tng
Metric Japanese Style Carpenter's Square: amzn.to/35kC3fG
Rok Hardware 14 Gauge Table Top Fasteners with Screws: amzn.to/38CzW94
Mini Square 10x5cm: amzn.to/36mtcti
Faber-Castell Ecco Pigment 0.1 mm Pen: amzn.to/36oLni8
Pentel Mechanical Pencil: amzn.to/36uqbab
If you want access to more tools, check out my amazon storefront: www.amazon.com/shop/cowdogcraftworks
Very enjoyable project!
Honestly one of my favorites. I’m currently working on my version of a minguren II right now. Very excited about it.
The joinery on this is incredible
Thank you!
With each video I find myself thinking, “huh, this is some of his best work.” Keep it up!
Started with a French cleat shop cabinet and now we here... started from the bottom now my whole team here...
Really enjoyed this video!
Thank you. I’ve got another nakashima style table I’d like to do.
Beautiful tribute to a Japanese man who became a American National Treasure. Well done video; entertaining and instructional.
I’ve got another nakashima inspired build in works. Stay tuned!
Great job, dude. Came out fantastic. Really enjoyed the video.
Thanks mike. Super proud of it.
@@CowDogCraftWorks you should be dude. It's a true statement piece. And true to Nakashima.
great skills and a super reproduction of a classic design,, fine work, well done
Thanks Roger. One of my favorite builds. I’m in the middle of another nakashima recreation. Curious how it’s gonna go.
@@CowDogCraftWorks you're welcome are you filming this next project to share with us all ? Was the table built for yourself?
Yeah that table will be a video. There new table is for me. The table in this video was for a friend.
@@CowDogCraftWorks I look forward to seeing the next video, I'm sure it will great viewing. You have a lucky friend and thanks for taking the time to put work out for us all, much appreciated 👍
Looks awesome man!
Thanks my dude! It was one hell of a build.
You’re a great craftsman. Really nice joinery and hand tool skills
Thank you! It was definitely a labor of love.
Always a pleasure to watch your beautiful work and listen to your commentary!
Also, you seem to be really enjoying that chisel ;)
Means the world coming from you dylan. Thank you. And yes once I got the hang on sharpening it it’s been getting a ton of use. Raising the bevel angle to 30 helped immensely with edge retention. I’ve still gotta make that dai for my kanna too!
Have to appreciate anyone who drops an Office Space reference to add to the woodworking skills. Still building my hand tools quiver but looking forward to attempting this someday.
Hah maaaan my buddy came up with that I can’t even lie. But it was perfect and I can never Unhear it anymore. Thanks for watching.
Awesome build! I like your blend of hand and power tools, and using difficult traditional joinery methods. Much kudos to you!
Thanks brother!
That joinery is incredible. Beautiful piece!
Thank you! Definitely one of my favorites.
Incredible stuff here... I can’t believe you do all that in that small space.. simply awesome and a video I’ll save... hey.., also an avid bourbon drinker!!!
Thanks man! I’ve got some pedestrian builds slated up for the more immediate future but I’ve also got my eyes on another nakashima table. Appreciate you watching!
George has been my inspiration,,,, wonderful job!!!!
Thank you! His work is very moving.
Absolutely beautiful table and 100% on the Michter's.
I almost forgot that I did a bourbon review on that video. Probably means I’m due for another one!
Yet another well presented Awesome project! Love ❤️ Nakashima anything but this table shines especially bright! Good job Chris 🤜🏻
Thanks bud!
I’m a little confused because I already follow you and know of you but I feel like this is the first video of yours I’ve seen. I’ll have to go back in the catalog and see what’s familiar. Anyway, I’m very impressed and inspired. Incredible work, great use of hand tools and power tools in concert. Excellent finished product.
Yeah man YT is a little weird with the subscription format. Newer content doesn’t seem to get pushed so much. That’s why we all say to hit that bell so you can turn on notifications for new videos! Glad you enjoyed it and even more proud to have inspired you. Cheers.
This was an incredible-beautiful build! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you! Not a pure nakashima reproduction but I like to think I did it justice.
NOICE JOB!!!!!
QUEEN
Very nicely done. Thanks!
Spot on! The Soul of a Tree is an excellent book. ✔
Thanks jerry. Yea it’s a phenomenal book. Making this table was definitely my “yoga” for the past month.
Great craftsmanship and skill, thanks for showing you don't need a big workshop to make beautiful work. Enjoyed watching, maybe just balance the music (loud) and voice (quiet) a little.
I’ve got an editor now so my more recent videos are a little more balanced in that department. 🙃 thanks for watching!
Loved the music, the tips and tricks, and the table turned out BEAUTIFULLY! This did not suck, my friend.😉
Thanks GURRRRRL
Outstanding work
Thank you sir
Truly solid build and results. The time and effort certainly well invested.
Thank you!
Beautiful design and build man! I really dig this one!
I dig you ethan... I dig you bruh.
This is a really beautiful table and I learned a lot. Thanks man.
Awesome man! Glad you enjoyed it.
Amazing woodworking and excellent choice in whiskey too!
Thank you! And yeah that michter’s US1 is excellent.
I really enjoyed the build. It’s nice to see your practical blend of hand and power tool use. Also nice to see a shop with well used, worn, and well cared for tools 😊😊. As for Michter’s Bourbon, yes it is delicious. I love that caramel sweetness. It’s a nice foil to some of the too rye forward Bourbons out there. Makes excellent Manhattans too.
Oh good call on the Manhattan! That’s always an afterthought drink for me but it’s so delicious.
Excellent as all you make. Congrats and greetings from Argentina
Muchas gracias! 🙏🏼
Beautiful work, great tribute to Mr. Nakashima's legacy.
Much appreciated
Awesome job once again!!! Love the table and the wood choice. Keep up the great content my friend.
Thanks Tim!
I now before true master keep it up.👍🌺🛫
😘 thank you!
Yeah dude! Turned out awesome
Thanks kris!
You’re my hero. Amazing job man.
You’re my hero.
Beautiful build and end result. You got me with that finger blasting comment though 🤣
Mission accomplished.
Such a beautiful table. Really great work 👍
Thank you!
Great work.
Thank you!
Fine. I watched your video. You win.
I mostly almost always do 60% of the time... every time.
Like your work Man. Inspired Thanks. Subscribed. Read Soul of a Tree last night. I'm on my way.
It’s an awesome book! The new nakashima design book that George’s family has been offering is a cool read too. It’s a bit more of an advertisement but it goes through their process and has pricing for their furniture which is pretty alarming and eye opening stuff.
Great video, lovely fine work and amazing finished table. Love the joints, which as an architect I really do appreciate! \m/
The only bummer thing is that on that bottom stretcher I really wished I could have draw bored it in. I was just thinking after the dry fit how much of a pain in the ass it would be to take it apart and relocate it for a dry fit.
Very nice 👏👏
Thank you. It was one hell of a build.
very Nice job
Thank you!
Killer work my man
Love you brother thank you
Love you brother thank you
very cool
Thanks Darin!
HAHAAA that Office Space reference was amazing!
I wish I could take full credit for it... but I can’t.
Neat. A few questions: 1. Can you smoke that hemp oil? 2. Do you know how adorable you are counselor? I think I’ve said the same thing on a previous video comment section. 3. Do you know how much daddy misses you? That mahogany is rich. You did it great justice. TH-cam crammed a couple of ads in there. Hopefully you get a check.
Miss you zaddy. Email me your phone number so I can text/sext you. Cowdogcraftworks@gmail.com. Also... and I repeat... you cannot smoke the hemp oil.
Just discovered your channel. Top Video, top table. +1sub 👍
Every one counts. Thanks for your support.
Amazing work dude! You added just the right amount of pegging and finger blasting to keep my attention. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Not too much... but not too little.
Good
Thank you
I know you used 8/4 hardwood, but what width/height did you use for the supports/stretcher? 3” or 4” maybe? I’ve watched this a handful of times now. Truly inspiring work. My wife loves it and I’m going to try my best to make one for our new home. I’ll buy the plans if you sell them.
The stretcher on the top is probably online like 2x2… the one on the bottom I believe was in that 3”-3.5”. I don’t have plans, especially since it’s a Conoid variant… but I do encourage you to just sort of hold parts up to each other to see what proportions are more pleasing to your eye.
@@CowDogCraftWorks Thanks so much for the response. That makes sense that you wouldn’t sell plans when the piece is inspired by Nakashima’s work. It’s worth repeating that your work here is astounding. I loved the bench you made as well; really glad I stumbled on your channel a couple weeks back.
Thanks man. Happy to have you here! Thanks for watching.
@@CowDogCraftWorks working on my own rendition right now. Last question, I promise: after milling were the 8/4 still a full 2 inches thick?
@@RyanWattersRyanWatters definitely not. I think it was in that 1 3/4 - 1 5/8 range.
This is just a 20 minute flex
You are not wrong.
All that beautiful joinery and you finish it by attaching the top with a piece of metal. I'm not sure how I feel about that.
Beautiful work, truly inspiring! I subscribed, man, I'm digging your vibe!
Thanks man. Glad to have you.
cool table! I was wondering how you prep your surfaces for finishing, is it all plane finished or do you sand to specific grits before hand?
It depends. On this one it’s entirely plane finished but I had some knotty alder the other day and I wouldn’t dare try and plane that nonsense.
Hi there, I like your table a lot! Have you build it for yourself or for a customer? How do you prevent the table top from cupping? Maybe I have missed this part. Thank you!
That was for a client/friend. So proper selection and ensuring the slab is air dried helps. I don’t really believe in c channel or more “restraint” oriented alternatives because ultimately it will restrict the movement to the point of cracking or checking. It’s important to note that George Nakashima didn’t use steel to keep his slabs flat either. It was very strict selection. You’ll see battens on the underside but that just keeps things “together” since he wasn’t using dominos or biscuits for alignment.
I love this. this is a great piece of work!
Would you be able to attach the slab top to the base using sliding dovetails?
Wow I like your thinking! So you could... you would have to do it along the width of the table because of wood movement but perhaps cutting the dovetail into the lateral support piece at the top of the leg assembly could work. That also could help mitigate any future cupping. Quite a brilliant idea.
@@CowDogCraftWorks Thank you. As a woodworker myself, I think it would make the piece *higher-end*, like you said it would help with the potential of cupping, but also help preserve the traditional look of this beautiful piece/design.
Food for thought for future pieces
So I have another dining table I’m going to be doing... this one for myself. And I think I might do this! You got me all pumped up now.
Great work! One questionen: what kind of liquid do you put on your wood while chiseling. Just water to make the grain softer or something special?
Thank you!
Little of column a and little of column b. I use either denatured alcohol or just plain old water.
@@CowDogCraftWorks Thank You!
How far do you go on finishing the underside of a table or bench top? I’ve been finishing mine as nicely as the top but it seems a wasted effort at times….
I did about half the amount of coats on the bottom as the top. I do put effort into it but I really focus on the main surface.
Very nice job man. You keep your tools sharp! Did you thin out the tung oil in the first few coats of the top?
I did not actually. Just very light coats. Like the rag is charged up but it’s not so wet that you can squeeze oil out of it. So real milk paint company has a solvent that can be used to thin pure tung oil that’s food safe, it’s a citrus solvent. I haven’t used it yet but I’m pretty eager to. I don’t think it lowers the viscosity enough to really “penetrate” any quicker. But I do think it thins it enough to make the oil easier to work with if that makes sense.
@@CowDogCraftWorks sweet. Yea I use their stuff frequently. Most often I've been using their Half & Half with the solvent already mixed in. I'm in NY so unless its warm out I find the Pure Tung oil to be a little thick for the first few coats.
I think, but do not know for a fact, that they’re pure tung is so thick because it’s “pre-polymerized” a touch... probably to help with cure times, but that does result in a thicker product. A few folks I know say the woodcraft tung is substantially thinner... but it takes forever to cure.
@@CowDogCraftWorks good to "know" !
Again, beautiful job. Keep up the good work!
This only has 721 views because you push saws instead of pulling them.
Seriously though, great work both on the table and the video.
I pulled one... lolz.
Nice job where did you get the Cuban Mahogany from thought that wood was extinct.
There’s actually a fair amount of the trees in our area. It was felled and milled locally. We get a lot of Honduran mahogany here too... but the leaves were a lot smaller so the sawyer believes it’s Cuban.
The two dislikes are from IKEA and Kreg.
IKEA can’t handle this sauce. Too much sauce.
@@CowDogCraftWorks meatball sauce.
do you have drawings for this table??
I do not. Honestly the way I did it was going to the nakashima website and eyeballing the photos of the Conoid.
Nice work. Just playing around with sharp stuff. Ha ha
Cuban mahogany though. That’s the real stuff! Hard to find. Your very committed to your craft - it is good to see people use hand tools.
I also need to try that oil you are using. Been so caught up with shellac. I miss miss using danish oil or polymerized tung oil just because how easy it is.
It’s easy but it takes forever to fully cure. The wood was still “sweating” it a bit when I delivered it.
How are you buying live edge slabs but can't buy a jointer? Cart before the horse my friend. I hope after selling that piece you could get a jointer.
For starters: buying live edge slabs and buying a jointer are not correlated. That’s like saying, how are you buying a steak when you don’t own a microwave? Furthermore, I’m like 5’8 and 140 lbs soaking wet with change in my pockets so the idea of using a jointer of any kind with a large ungainly slab by myself sounds like a nightmare. And to get the result I did, you’d have to run them side by side so they would mate perfectly which makes it even more clumsy and dangerous for me. Using a jointer plane... was not only the most sensible alternative in my humble opinion but the one I was most comfortable with. And candidly as we say in the legal field... res ipsa loquitur... the thing speaks for itself.
How are you commenting on woodworking posts when you have no idea what you are talking about?
Lolz
@@The_Conqueeftador Nah . It's painfully obvious you speak from regurgitation and not experience. Stick around though, you may learn some more things to regurgitate later. Like match jointing.
@@CowDogCraftWorks The point I was making was that live slabs are stupid expensive. So it felt weird that you bought a live slab before a semi basic tool like a jointer. Then I rewatched the video and noticed how you got it locally from a friend and it is not one of the more expensive wood slabs like I am used to working with. Sorry for your confusion.
Can I use biscuits?
Actually... yes.
@@CowDogCraftWorks I meant pocket holes.
Also yes... but it would look stupid.
@@CowDogCraftWorks sorry I meant dowels
Just leave out the loud, annoying music and everything will get a lot cleaner.
😢🎻
Great work man! Keep it up
Thank you! Much appreciated.