September 17, 2015

For this week's project, we decided to make a round Concrete Lazy Susan for the kitchen. This is a very fun project, is easy to make, and can be done in a day! All thats needed for this project is some Quikrete cement mix, concrete sealer, a drill, 20″x20″ of melamine, and a strip of white laminate. Best of luck on your project! Check out the video tutorial and step-by-step post below.

final-lazy-susan-pete

Tools Needed

Miter Saw​– I’d recommend a 12 inch sliding, miter saw.
Jig Saw
Drill​– I use R​yobi drills.​
Tape Measure, Ruler, Pencil

Optional:

Graphtec 24″ CE6000 Desktop Vinyl Cutter – Used for making vinyl decals
Table Saw – I recommend Rigid or Ryobi saws.
Circular Saw​-​Can be used instead of miter saw
Orbital Sander​– Ryobi makes a nice one.
Speed Square

Supplies Needed

Bag of Quikrete Countertop Mix
Lazy Susan Base
Concrete Sealer
20×20 inch piece of clean melamine
1 3/4″ by 64″ strip of white laminate
Sandpaper, Screws, Silicone, Alcohol
1 1/4 inch screws

Optional:

Vinyl Decal for embedded design
Diamond Pads
Wet Polisher

Make Your Round Melamine Form

First, we need to make the melamine form for the concrete lazy susan to cure and harden in. The form should be made of 20×20 inch by 3/4 inch thick melamine. To make this round, get a piece of scrap wood to mark a circle with. Measure about 1/2 inch from the end of the scrap piece and make a mark, then drill a small hole (this will get screwed into the melamine board). Then measure 10 inches down the scrap piece and make another mark (this is where we will use our pencil to draw the circle). Screw the scrap piece into the underside of the melamine board, draw your circle, and cut it out using a jig saw.

melamine-form-4

melamine-form

Then cut strips of white laminate to 1 3/4 inch wide by 64 inches long. You can either rip these on a table saw, circlular saw, or even with a jig saw. These will be the side of the form. Pre drill all holes and then screw this piece onto the rounded melamine form. Ensure everything is level and done with care. Seal the form with 100% silicone, let harden, then round the silicone bead. We need a clean form, any imperfections will translate onto the final concrete lazy susan.

melamine-form-2

Mix the Cement 

Using a shovel or piece of scrap wood, and a bucket we need to prepare our cement mixture. Pour about 1/4 of a bag of Quikrete Countertop Mix into a bucket and add some water. Stir and work it all together, adding water if need be. We want a peanut butter consistency here, not too soupy.

mixing-concrete

Cut a Diamond Mesh Support Piece

Since we are doing a relatively thin, 1 inch piece of round concrete, we'll want to add support into it. Using aviator snips and while wearing gloves, lets cut this piece to 18×18 inches round. This will be used in the next step of the process.

cutting-mesh

Pour the Cement into the Form

Attach any mirrored vinyl decals or embedded features at this point, before pouring the concrete in. Make sure to clean your form with 100% alcohol, ensuring there are no imperfections or residue on it. Then add some of the cement mixture and work it in with your gloved-hands. Fill the form about 2/3 of the way full and then add the wire mesh piece. Top the rest of the form off with the cement mixture, vibrating the form and leveling it all out as much as possible.

vinyl-decal

pouring-cement

Screed and Level the Mixture

Spend the time to level the cement out in the form, using either a piece of scrap wood or another square object. Then trowel and smooth out the mixture in the form. Let the concrete cure for the recommended time on the manufacture's label. I'd allow at least 36 hours for the concrete to cure.

screeding-concrete

Take the Round Concrete Top out of the Form

Once your concrete top has cured completely, its time to see how its looking! Unscrew the white laminate sides and take them off of the form. Carefully chisel or pry apart the melamine bottom to release the concrete top from the form. Place the concrete top on a clean work surface, preferably with some boards or something else underneath it to level it out and protect the concrete.

melamine-form-off

Sand, Prep, and Finish the Concrete Top

Make sure that no silicone has stuck to the concrete, if so just pick it off. Sand the edges smooth, adding a beveled effect if desired. I'd recommend light sanding with 220-300 grit sandpaper. Add water for wet sanding, and use diamond pads or wet polish the top if desired. Let the water soak in and clean off any residue from the concrete lazy susan.

cleaning-concrete

If desired, you can add acid stain to the concrete top. I made two round concrete lazy susans for this tutorial, one with stain (refer to the video) and one without. If adding it, refer to manufacturer's dry/cure time and let that time elapse. Then add ammonia (you can dilute it down with some water) to the dried/cured acid stain. If you've used acid stain or not, now is the time to add your sealer. I prefer a water-based sealer, as it goes on smooth and dries relatively fast. Apply two to three healthy coats of the sealer to the bottom and five to six to the top and let it cure for recommended time.

concrete-sealer

Attach the Lazy Susan Base and Enjoy!

Lastly, we'll epoxy and liquid nail the lazy susan base onto the round concrete top. Find your center points, mark it all out and attach the lazy susan, letting the epoxy dry/cure for the manufacture's recommended amount of time.

attaching-lazy-susan

You've put in the work, now take the time to reap the benefits! Concrete work is always fun and although daunting to some at first, if you take it step-by-step, it makes for an excellent DIY project. Share your finished projects by commenting below. Cheers!

final-lazy-susan-2

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