Lazy susan design considerations

[poolhound]

LOML has been wanting a lazy susan for the dining table for a while now and I happened to see one of these on the reduced table in Rockler this week so I picked it up.


It has a weight rating of 220# so there is no problem there but I wondered wether there are any "rules" related to how much larger the top/bottom can be than the mechanisum?

Anybody have any expereince here?

[cabinetman]

What diameter/width did you have in mind?
.

[Pappy]

I would have to measure to tell you the diameters I used, but the top is about 2-3" smaller than the inside measurements from place mat to place mat. I want to say the base is about 2" inside that.

[LCHIEN]

I would consider several things.

how heavy ARE THE items you are going to place on this and where will they be located?
If you will have a heavy central item or the turntable itself is very heavy it will help but obviously placing heavy items on the outside edge of a lazy susan with a small center bearing will cause it to tip.

If real heavy usage, I would have opted for metal bearings instead of plastic.

Some bearings can be bolted to both top and bottom, this will also counter tipping, but then its hard to clean up and you may not want holes in your table top.

I would guess for a lazy susan for a dining table on which you will put some heavy pots and casseroles, maybe not more than 4" or maybe 5" overhang.

you link says its a tad over 12" diameter. I'd say don't go over a turntable dia. of about 20-22"

[Shep]

I built a 12" one last winter with bearings like this.

The base was about 6". This was for light duty work, but was very solid

[poolhound]

Thanks guys. My thinking was that the top should be approx 2x the diameter of the base. As Loring says it does depend on how heavy the items are. As this bearing will support up to 220# I dont think there will be any danger of overloading it but more that the base vs top dimensions will create differing leverage forces.

I will have to experiment and see how the "tip factor" plays into the equation.

[cabinetman]

The weight isn't an issue, as it's hard to envision 220 LBS sitting on a dining table. The plastic bearings are thinner than the metal ones, and a heavy tall load could cause a top heavy condition with too much overhang. For that size I wouldn't go more than 20", preferably less.
.

[poolhound]

The weight isn't an issue, as it's hard to envision 220 LBS sitting on a dining table. The plastic bearings are thinner than the metal ones, and a heavy tall load could cause a top heavy condition with too much overhang. For that size I wouldn't go more than 20", preferably less.
.

It does appear that this bearing has a plastic body but metal roller bearings.

[Uncle Cracker]

Once upon a time, I built one to match my SIL's round country table. It used a heavy 12" bearing, and the top measured 36". Instead of bolting it to the table (female aversion to screw holes) I made a bottom that was 24" in diameter, using matching wood and finish, and surfaced it with a glued-on felt, so no surface scratches would happen. That thing was so sturdy, their 8-yo son used to ride it like the Mad Tea Party ride...

[poolhound]

Once upon a time, I built one to match my SIL's round country table. It used a heavy 12" bearing, and the top measured 36". Instead of bolting it to the table (female aversion to screw holes) I made a bottom that was 24" in diameter, using matching wood and finish, and surfaced it with a glued-on felt, so no surface scratches would happen. That thing was so sturdy, their 8-yo son used to ride it like the Mad Tea Party ride...

LOL. Well that certainly gives me a high end parameter to work with. Thanks UC.