This time, the project coming out of the shop was a Lazy Susan. I had picked up some Red Oak and Cherry lumber for a batch of noodle boards, and once those were finished, I still had plenty of material left. Lazy Susans felt like the perfect way to put the remaining wood to good use.
The idea really took shape after visiting one of my daughters. She had a store‑bought Lazy Susan that spun on a single pin, which made it noticeably wobbly. I knew I could build something sturdier and smoother. With that challenge in mind, I set out to make a better version — and since my circle‑cutting jig maxed out at 18 inches, that became the target size.
Lazy Susan Construction
To prepare the boards, I trimmed the edges to remove excess material and create clean, square surfaces. Using TiteBond III, I glued the boards into a slab roughly 19 inches square. After curing overnight, the clamps came off and the slab was sanded smooth.
This project finally gave me an excuse to use the Jasper circle‑cutting guide I bought two years ago. I set the jig to 17 3/4 inches and cut the circles cleanly. Only light sanding was needed to refine the edges and bring everything to a smooth finish.
Finishing and Assembly
I had enough lumber to make two Lazy Susans in each wood species. The Red Oak pieces were stained with Minwax Walnut, while the Cherry pieces received a Cherry stain. After letting the stain dry for a full day, I applied four coats of Minwax Warm Satin polyurethane for a durable, protective finish.
Once the polyurethane cured, it was time for assembly. I mounted the turntable mechanism to the base plate first, using two pre‑drilled access holes that allowed me to secure the screws from underneath. With the hardware installed, each Lazy Susan spun smoothly and evenly — a big improvement over the wobbly store‑bought version that inspired the project.
Where They Ended Up
The two Red Oak Lazy Susans went to my daughters as birthday gifts. One of the Cherry pieces became a wedding present for the owner of the Saddle Up Saloon, and the remaining Cherry Susan was purchased by one of the patrons at the bar.
