A shabu-shabu (japanese hotpot) table designed and built by Ed Sassler
The heart of the table
01		The basic idea was to build a modular table with two insert levels, modular legs, and sides that would accept extensions.
The table design
02		The table is built around 4 oak posts, which act as the leg inserts going down, and form the corners of the main table from the top. Each post has a white insert 3/4" below the table surface which can be used to keep drinking glasses or special insert trivets in place.
Place inserts here
03		The detail image of one corner shows where two levels of insert surfaces fit into the table. Because of this three dimentional design, the table is very rigid and has no problem holding up heavy loads.
Place legs here
04		The detail image of the corner insert shows how legs can be inserted or changed in minutes. Each corner has four set screws (two on each inside face) which lock the leg against the outside corner.
Coffee table height
05		This is the table with the short legs. To keep the solid feel of the table, both sets of legs were constructed out of 4x4 oak. The height of each leg can be adjusted to the floor with the lock-down, so there's no need for leveling feet.
Just add a table surface
06		With the structure in place, an insert is added to act as the main surface of the table. In this case it's a plain white insert.
Another table surface
07		Here the center surface is taken up by a built-in non-stick frying pan with a thin sections of plain white surface taking up the extra room. I call this insert the Korean BBQ top, but it can be used for anything.
Hot plates on the lower level
08		The design of the table is for Japanese hotpot where a heat source sits below the surface of the table. The best way of doing this is to have a lower level with four hot plates. Each person has access to their heat control.
Pots in place
09		The key to japanese hotpot is keeping the level of the top of the pot close to the level of the table. Each pot sits neatly into the table with it's stainless trim ring keeping it from moving. These pots also have steamer baskets and lids for cooking steam buns or vegatables.
A peek under the table
10		It all works so well. The tree dimentional design makes it rock solid while holding up hot plates, pots of broth, and anything else you want to add.
Normal table height
11		In just a few minutes the shorter legs can be replaced with regular table length legs. Because of their solid oak construction, the longer legs aren't any less stable than the short legs.
Extension wings
12		The table itself was meant to be small when not in use, so the sides are only 6" wide. Add a 22" square center section and you still don't have a very large table. The design calls for the ability to expand the size of the table surface. The wings act as support.
A table with wings
13		Here you see 6" wide wings added to each side of the table. This gives each person about 12" of table space - the trick is to put the pots close enough to reach, but not close enough to crowd their plates off the table.
A Shabu-Shabu table
14		The table is set for japanese hotpot. To best fit the table design the dishes are square, and have places for dipping sauces. The square inserts in the corners of the table keep the water glasses from getting pushed off the table.
A Sushi table
15		Another insert with a large lazy susan replaces the hotpot insert and the table shifts into sushi mode. Knives replace noodle baskets, rolling mats replace pots of broth, the heart of the table stays the same.
Large extensions
16		Sometimes you need more room. The short extensions are great if there are four people at the table but sometimes there's a need for more room.
The BIG table
17		With two large extensions the table is large enough for 8 people. Each extension has it's own two legs but uses the stability of the main table to keep it feeling solid.
In any direction
18		All four sides of the table have extension wings and brass lock-down latches. This means that any extension can be added to any side.