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A lazy Susan takes the hard work out of reaching across the table. Often used in restaurants, it can be useful at home for meals with lots of dishes such as tapas, or for passing condiments around.
Step 1: Cut the Wood
Step 2: Make the Biscuit Joints
Step 3: Glue the Boards
Step 4: Level the Surface
Step 5: Scribe the Circle
Step 6: Cut Out the Circle
Optional Step 6: Use a Router for Edges
Step 7: Finish the Turntable
Step 8: Attach the Swivel Base
Written by John Bowler
Use a miter saw to cut five 24-in. lengths of wood. Lay boards side by side, with the ends flush, and mark diagonals to find the center. For a diameter of 22-in., set a compass to half this. Using the marked center, draw the circle across the boards.
Set biscuits 3-in. in from the circumference and square a line across the joints. (Middle boards need a third biscuit at the center.) Cut the grooves, then stand the boards on edge between clamps. Apply glue to the grooves and insert biscuits.
Fit the boards together. There should be enough glue so, when the boards are fitted, just a little oozes out. Align the ends by tapping with a hammer. Use a damp rag to remove excess glue. Remove from the clamps and wipe clean the other side.
Reposition the boards in clamps and tighten just enough to close the joints without bowing. Remove when dry. With a belt sander, sand at a slight angle then finish along the grain.
Mark the diagonals on the underside of the boards to find the center. Scribe the circle with a compass set at the desired radius. (We used a radius of 11-in.)
To cut the circle with a jigsaw on the waste side of the line, hold the boards on the bench so they slightly overhang. Keep turning the boards while cutting for a smooth curve.
Instead of using a jigsaw, try a router attached to a plywood radius arm. Cut a hole in one end for a straight bit and screw it to the router base plate. Measure the radius along the plywood arm and drill a clearance hole for the pivot point. Fix the router in place and cut around the boards to half the thickness then repeat at full depth.
Sand using a cork block with 150-grit sandpaper. Round over the top edge with a 1/4-in. radius cutter, or simply sand smooth. Apply a sealer coat of half tung oil, half turpentine. Sand with 240-grit sandpaper. Finish with two coats of tung oil, sanding between each. Leave to dry.
Place the turntable face down. Mark two diagonals at 90° through the center (where the router screw was). Position the swivel base and rotate to locate each fixing hole. Align with the diagonals on the turntable and fix in place. Attach bump stops to the base of the turntable.