This beautiful woven Lazy Susan was designed and built by Fisher’s Shop. With a creative twist on a classic piece, this project incorporates various exotic woods, making it a stunning addition to any dining space. This guide will take you through the steps to create your very own woven Lazy Susan.
Materials and Tools Needed
- Walnut boards
- Honey Locust wood
- Purple Heart wood
- Marblewood
- Ipe wood
- Yellow Heart wood
- Mahogany wood
- Maple wood (for inlays)
- Wood glue
- Painter’s tape
- CA glue
- Clamps
- Band saw
- Planer
- Joiner
- Circle-cutting jig
- Trim router
- Sanding tools
- Lazy Susan hardware
- Wood oil and wax for finishing
Step 1: Prepare the Walnut Boards
The first step is to select the pieces of walnut for the base of the Lazy Susan. Since they were slightly too wide for the joiner, they were placed on a sled to flatten them out using a planer. Once the top of each piece was smoothed out, the boards were flipped to flatten the other side. With both sides perfectly flat, clean edges were created at the joiner.
Step 2: Create the Base Panels
Next, the pieces were arranged to confirm there was enough material for an 18-inch diameter Lazy Susan. A precision compass was used to draw a circle, providing a visual for the final size. The walnut boards were then glued together to form two separate panels.
Step 3: Weaving the Exotic Woods
To add flair, the first species of wood was honey locust. Using painter’s tape and CA glue, a piece was temporarily fastened on top of one of the walnut panels. A wavy line was cut down the center at the band saw. After cutting, the pieces were matched with their partners, lightly sanded to remove blade marks, and glued together with a thin piece of maple in between to fill the gap left by the saw blade.
Step 4: Adding More Woods
Following the same process, purple heart wood was added next. A guideline was drawn for cutting and, after a successful cut, the pieces were glued onto the panel. Marblewood was similarly added, ensuring any excess on top was trimmed off for a flat surface.
Step 5: Finish the Weaving
With the panels ready, the woven sections were assembled. Painter’s tape was applied to the edges, CA glue was used to bond them, and a wavy line was sketched for cutting. After cutting, the larger pieces were joined together, sanded, and glued with a thin maple strip inserted.
Step 6: Assemble the Lazy Susan
Once the woven sections were dry, they were combined into one. A spacer was temporarily glued to address an overhang issue, allowing for a clean cut on the band saw. After removing the remnants, the two halves were glued together, and additional thin maple inlays were added for extra interest.
Step 7: Final Touches
The piece was then sanded down to the desired thickness, and the other walnut panel was prepared to match. Both panels were glued together, ensuring they were aligned perfectly. A hole was drilled into the center of the bottom panel for the Lazy Susan hardware.
Step 8: Create the Circular Shape
Using a circle-cutting jig, the corners were removed first, followed by carefully cutting to create a perfect circle. A coved edge was added for aesthetics and functionality, making it easier to grab and turn.
Step 9: Sanding and Finishing
After sanding through various grits, the piece was sprayed with water to raise the grain, dried, and sanded again for a smooth finish. The Lazy Susan hardware was mounted, followed by applying oil and wax to enhance the wood’s natural beauty.
Step 10: Enjoy Your Creation
The final product was a stunning woven Lazy Susan with vibrant colors from the different woods. Its artistic touch and practical design make it perfect for entertaining and family gatherings. This project not only adds beauty to the home but also serves a functional purpose.
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