Looking for a fun woodworking project that combines functionality and style? This Lazy Susan was created by Marie from DIY Montreal, and it’s perfect for serving cheeses, charcuterie, or anything you desire.
Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, this guide will walk you through the steps to create your own beautiful Lazy Susan.
Materials and Tools Needed
- Cherry, walnut, and maple hardwood
- Food-safe glue (Titebond 2 or Titebond 3)
- Turntable hardware
- Router
- Homemade circle cutting jig
- Table saw
- Jointer
- Planer
- Sanding paper (80 to 220 grit)
- Compass
- Mineral oil for finishing
Step 1: Preparing the Wood
Start by cutting your hardwood pieces to rough lengths slightly longer than the final dimensions needed. Use a jointer to flatten one face of each piece, and then flip it to joint the edges. Run the boards through a planer until both faces are flat.
Step 2: Ripping the Boards
Set your table saw to rip the boards to a width slightly wider than the desired final thickness. This will ensure all pieces are uniform after flipping them 90 degrees for glue-up. You may also want to cut some thinner strips of walnut for added design.
Step 3: Glue Up the Boards
Since the board will be about 18 inches wide, glue it up in two parts. Make sure to use food-safe glue for this project. After letting the glue dry overnight, run the assembled parts through the planer to flatten both sides and bring them to equal thickness.
Step 4: Assemble the Parts
Once the boards are planed, check for any uneven joints and use the jointer to flatten them if necessary. Assemble the parts using glue and small clamps to keep the surfaces aligned.
Step 5: Create the Circles
To cut out the circles for the Lazy Susan, you’ll need a router with a homemade circle cutting jig. Remove the router’s bottom plate and mark out the screw holes on a piece of thin plywood to create the jig. Drill out the center hole and countersink the screw holes.
Step 6: Routing the Circles
With the jig set up, trace a centerline on your board and make a pilot hole for your desired circle size. Use the router to make shallow passes, progressively lowering the bit until you cut through to create a perfect circle.
Step 7: Round the Edges and Sand
Once you have both circles, round over all edges and sand the surfaces starting from 80 grit up to 220 grit. Water pop the board to raise the grain before the final sanding.
Step 8: Mounting the Hardware
To mount the turntable hardware, measure and mark the holes carefully for accurate placement. Drill pilot holes and countersink them to accommodate the screws. Ensure everything is perfectly centered.
Step 9: Finishing Touches
Finish the board with food-grade mineral oil, applying several coats and allowing it to soak in. Once finished, assemble the top and bottom pieces of the Lazy Susan with the hardware.
And there you have it! You’ve just created a stylish and functional wooden Lazy Susan. Enjoy using it for your gatherings or as a beautiful centerpiece in your home!
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