Turntables?

Eva · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 12:43 pm Post subject: Turntables?

Hi, Everyone ~

I'm sure some of you have turntables that you use for casting or sculpting. Could you tell me something about yours? Did you buy it or make it? And if you made it, would you mind sharing the how-tos?

Thanks,
Eva
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Just get out there and slap some mix on. ~Jynja

Funart · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 1:12 pm Post subject:

Turntables?
I use several... if we are talking about the same thing!
I go to ACE hardware and buy the 6 inch or larger turning part.... the kind-of lazy Susan base with all the ball bearings, and then our junk-yard guy has cut-outs from formica sinks that he sells for a few dollars. I cut them into foot square, or whatever size I need and attach the turning part to the bottom. I also have a couple attached to pieces of 2 x 6. Somehow it just seems like a nice solid base.

But over time I just keep one of the turning parts... 'unattached'... and that way I can put it under whatever I'm working on. <embarrased> as often all the one's I have attached to a board are perpetually in use!

Are we talking about the same thing?

AnitaKittel · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 2:56 pm Post subject:

I have a turn table that I used for caning chairs. It was made from an old swivel chair base. My husband put a piece of chip board on the base, large enough for the chair to sit on. Then I could turn the table as needed for caning the chair. I've thought about getting it out to set my leaves on for painting but haven't done so yet.
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Anita Kittel

admin · Site Admin

Hey Eva...Funny you should ask about turntables --- I spent the last week scouring my shop for one I made several years ago. No luck (my shop is chaos...as usual). So I spent part of yesterday making a few more. They are easy to make and very handy. Below are a few pix of the new ones and another of an old one that is a little larger.

BTW...I love the idea of using the sink cutouts!

Here are the three I just made. A square of Melamine board (the far two are 16" and the closest is 12") with a Lazy Susan bearing on bottom.

Here are the back sides with the bearing mechanisms (two are 12", one is 9")

A close up of the bearing mechanism.

And here is my big boy. About three-feet as I recall and will handle quite a bit of weight.

The turntable bearings used to be available here at the Big Box stores, but I had to go to a woodworking supplier to find these. Note...the 12" are rated at about 1000 pounds and the one under "big boy" is rated around a ton. They are quite sturdy.
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Eva · Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 12:48 pm Post subject:

Hi, Funart, Anita, and Tango ~

Just the kind of info I was hoping for...thanks!

Funart -- Those formica sink cutouts are a great idea.

Anita -- A turntable made from an old swivel chair base - don't think I would have ever thought of that. And, darn, I just saw one of those out by the road for junk pick up a couple of weeks ago.

Tango -- Your pics are very helpful. Now I can see how to make turntables (or how to have hubby make turntables Very Happy

). Thanks!

Eva
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Just get out there and slap some mix on. ~Jynja

aartwmich · Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2010 4:20 am Post subject:

Yaayy Turntables!! I just got a 12'' from Ace too, ordered it online and had it delivered to a local store at no charge, then found out they had them in stock. Then also found them in stock at another Ace. I also have a small plastic one, 6-7 inches, that I found at a second hand store in the kitchen wares, it doesn't have ball bearings but it works well for smaller stuff. I just use them loose, not attached to a board, like we did at Sherri's studio. Tho I do put boards or paper or plastic under and/or over them to keep the crap from getting into the ball race.

Anita, you cane chairs?!?!? Hmm... will have to pick your brain on that one day. My Dad's old desk chair, well you can sit on the edge of it Smile

Tango, what kind of bearing device is under that monster 3 footer....and how do you move it? Looks like fork truck slots to me...or maybe that's just a platform to raise the work.
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Anne (the 'e' is silent) aka aartwmich

admin · Site Admin

Hey Anne --- the big one has a swivel base that is just like the Lazy Susan's but larger. Something like 20-24" as I recall. I've had work on it that was easily 400 pounds.

And the bottom portion is to get the right height and leave room to tuck tools away. It was made to sit atop a wheeled base that I have so the whole thing can be rolled about the shop.
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--- All My Best --- Tango

aartwmich · Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 3:00 pm Post subject:

AnitaKittel · Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 8:21 pm Post subject:

Anne,

Yes, I cane chairs all though I haven't done any for a few years now. There's always so many other things that need to be done. I'll be glad to answer any questions you have. It can't be much fun sitting on the edge of your dad's chair.
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Anita Kittel

mares · Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 7:30 am Post subject:

my turntables are also made from swivel chairs, old bar stools. since I also do carving, I found out the I like my wood to be round, then the cement doesn't fall in between the boards and into the mechanism, and the corner of the wood isn't hitting on anything as I turn it.
since my husband found a bunch of these in a burn pile somewhere, I have a several of them.
in a pinch I've used bar stools from my kitchen.

mares · Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 7:39 am Post subject:

mine has 2 pieces of wood because the mechanism needs it. since it's from a restaurant barstool it must hold 250lbs?

aartwmich · Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 8:50 am Post subject:

Cool Mares....what's the other side look like? Barstools from the kitchen would work well wth the legs still on, brings it to a good height, huh?

I just cobbled together a dolly, plywood, couple pieces of 2x2 and some swivel casters so I could get that monster basin back into the studio(big strong boy buddy carried it out to the garage to cure) then I could spin it around and figure out which side was the back....a turntable of sorts.
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Insatiably Curious
Anne (the 'e' is silent) aka aartwmich

mares · Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 9:35 am Post subject:

the other side looks the same, but without the hole. the hole is used for attaching the second piece of wood, to fit the ratchet thru.

you could also put your bar stool upside down and use the legs as a holder, I've done that when working on spheres.

Jynja · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 12:03 am Post subject:

I have two favorites. One is bought. Its a cake decorating turn table. Very expensive at about $85. I put a piece of 18X18 tile on top of it to accomodate the size of my project.

The other was a high bar stool. We took the chair part off and attached a piece of round wood (could use a square piece). Then i usually put a piece of 18X18 tile on top of that and then a piece of that really thin cheap cutting board plastic that you get at the dollar store. Then my mold for carving, concrete. Good to go.

J
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mares · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 6:19 am Post subject:

jynja - the stool works well, doesn't it? easy to move around table and a good working height.

so...where've you been? we've been missing you!