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How to Build a Lazy Susan

Learn how to build a lazy Susan; includes details for a circle-cutting jig for a saber saw and working with edge banding.

There never seems to be enough counter space, or cabinet space. One way to get more space without a lot of trouble or expense is to build a lazy Susan. Ron shows us how in this next workshop segment.

Click Here For a list of what you will need in order to complete this project.

3-3w Ron in Workshop
   

1. Cut circles:

  • Ron began the project with two ¾ inch birch plywood squares.

 

3-3w birch plywood squares
   
  • Ron would use the plywood (cut into circles) and a simple bearing assembly to create a turntable.

 

3-3w bearing assembly
   
  • Ron used a jigsaw to cut the plywood squares into circles. To create a very clean circle, Ron created a circle-cutting jig that, when used along with the jig saw, would make a perfect circle every time.
3-3w jig
   
  • Ron created the jig out of ¼ inch tempered hardboard roughly 12" X 4". The size of the jig, of course, depends on the size of the circle desired. He began by clamping this piece to the workbench.
3-3w clamp to workbench
   
  • Using a carpenter's square and pencil, Ron drew a line across one end of the hardboard.

 

3-3w carpenter's square and pencil
   
  • With the jigsaw, Ron cut down the line to the mark he had drawn about an inch from the edge of the hardboard.
3-3w jigsaw
   
  • To temporarily attach the circle-cutting template to the bottom of the jigsaw, Ron used a piece of double-stick carpet tape.
3-3w double-stick carpet tape
   
  • Ron placed the blade of the jigsaw in place in the groove he had cut earlier, and then stuck it right onto the hardboard with the tape.
3-3w jigsaw
   
  • Next, Ron set the assembly on the piece of birch plywood with the jigsaw blade touching the edge.
3-3w jigsaw
   
  • He drove a small nail through the hardboard and plywood as a pivot point and was ready to cut.
3-3w small nail
   
  • All he needed to do now was move the saw in a circle.
3-3w move saw in circle
   
  • Ron stacked three pieces of scrap plywood and bound them together and to the workbench with double-stick tape. This created the platform he used for cutting the circles.
3-3w stack three pieces of scrap for platform
   
  • The result was a clean, accurate disk.
3-3w clean accurate disk
   
  • Ron repeated the process to cut a smaller circle out of the other birch square for the base of the lazy Susan.
3-3w repeat process
   

2. Edge banding:

  • Ron attached his first circle to the vice to show us how to use a material called wood edge banding to turn plywood into something that looked just like solid wood.
3-3w vise grip

 

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