How to Make a Metal Cutting Turntable

Cutting metal requires specialty saws, depending upon the type of metal you wish to cut. For safety reasons, if you are cutting metal with a larger saw such as an abrasive cut-off saw or a metal cutting band saw, you'll want to use a sturdy table that does not rotate. However, if you are using a small angle grinder or a sheet metal sheer, a turntable may help you to make continuous cuts in metal, especially if you are rounding out the edges of a piece of sheet metal. Similar to the concept of a lazy susan, a metal cutting turntable can be made easily by adding a turning bearing to the center of the table.

2 pieces, 3/4-inch plywood, 4-feet-by-4-feet
4 pieces, 4-by-4 lumber, 3 feet long
Heavy duty screws
Wood glue
Tape Measure
Pencil
Screw gun
Turning mechanism
Circular saw
Eight small bolts and matching nuts
Drill

Instructions

- 1
  Measure and cut both pieces of plywood with a circular saw so that each piece measures 4-feet by 4-feet. One piece will be the bottom stable layer of the table top. The other piece will be the top rotating layer of the table top
- 2
  Measure and cut the 4-by-4 pieces so that each is exactly three feet long. These pieces will be the legs of the turntable.
- 3
  Lay one piece of plywood flat so that the rough side of the wood is facing up. Use wood glue to glue each of the four legs approximately 1/8-inch in from each of the four corners. Let the glue dry according to the instructions on the bottle.
- 4
  Flip the table so that it is standing on its legs once dry. Use a screw gun and heavy-duty screws to secure each leg by screwing through the plywood surface into each leg. It doesn't matter that you will be able to see the screw heads because the second piece of plywood will cover this piece.
- 5
  Measure the center point of the first piece of plywood and mark with a pencil.
- 6
  Center the turning mechanism on the center point on the first piece of plywood, mark the positions of the mounting holes for its bottom section and drill holes for the bolts. Replace the mechanism and place four small bolts through the holes and secure them with nuts.
- 7
  Place the second piece of plywood on the top section of the turning mechanism. Similar to the above step, mark and drill mounting holes for the top section of the turning mechanism.
- 8
  Replace the plywood on the top section of the turning mechanism, line up the holes in the plywood with the holes in the mechanism. Insert bolts through the holes and secure them with nuts. The top of your table should now rotate 360 degrees.

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