How To Woodturn A Lazy Susan

Woodturning your Lazy Susan

Step 1

Select two separate wood blanks a suitable size to your chosen size of Lazy Susan bearings, roughly 20mm bigger than the bearing. The top section will need to be bigger than the base section.

Step 2

Starting with the Lazy Susan base section, screw in a faceplate to one side of the smaller wood blank and attach to the lathe.

Step 3

Rough out and turn the base to your desired size.

Step 4

Turn a recess into the base to accommodate the C jaws, roughly 3/4mm. This will be the foot of the Lazy Susan.

Step 5

Sand the base using abrasive grits 100/150/240/400, in this order.

Step 6

Apply toy safe finishing oil.

Step 7

Remove from the lathe turn the base around, fitting the recess into the expanding C jaws.

Step 8

Rough out and face up the upper side of the base.

Step 9

Measure the size of the Lazy Susan bearing, using dividers mark out from the middle of the wood and turn a recess 230mm diameter - 6mm deep to fit the bearing.

Step 10

Shape the outside edge of the base, tidying up any edges and create a beaded cove.

Step 11

Sand working through abrasive grits 100/150/240/400, in this order.

Step 12

Apply toy safe finishing oil.

Step 13

Remove from the lathe and set aside the base.

Step 14

Screw a faceplate into what will be the Lazy Susan platter top, turning the underside of the top first.

Step 15

Rough out and turn the underside of the platter.

Step 16

Then measure and mark out to make a flat bigger than the base - 240mm.

Step 17

Turn a round recess collar; 140mm as a solid disc for the base to sit on but not so deep that the timber meets. Double check the top bearing fits in with the base section.

Step 18

Shape the sides with a radius.

Step 19

Mark out and turn a recess to accommodate the C jaws. Making sure not to take too much thickness away from the whole piece and compromise the top.

Step 20

Sand working through abrasive grits 100/150/240/400, in this order; you will only need to sand to the outer rim as you will not be able to see further once put together.

Step 21

Apply toy safe finishing oil.

Step 22

Remove from the lathe, turn over and attach the recess to the C jaws. Remove the faceplate from the upper side.

Step 23

Face off and clean up the surface of the lazy Susan platter top, add in a rim to the platter shape.

Step 24

Shape a flat face and get rid of the screw holes from the faceplate.

Step 25

Smooth out and check the platter is level with a ruler or straightedge.

Step 26

Sand working through abrasive grits 100/150/240/400.

Step 27

Apply toy safe finishing oil and buff.

Lazy Susan bearing assembly

Step 1

Place the Lazy Susan bearing on the bottom section of the platter, position the bearing where access aligns with a fixing hole. Drill one hole all the way through the base - this will be used as the access hole when attaching the top.

Step 2

Using small screws and the access hole, screw the bearing into the base section.

Step 3

Place the base onto the underside of the platter, using the access hole screw the bearing into the platter, rotate and screw the next hole until all 4 are secured.