California Career and Technical Education Standards

• BTC.A.A1.3 Convert scaled drawing measurements to full dimensional layout and template appl...
• BTC.A.A2.1 Use common hand tools and accessories, such as planers, shapers, clamping and gr...
• BTC.A.A4.1 Understand the proper and safe use of stationary power tools used in the milling...
• BTC.FS.10.6 Understand universal graphic conventions and symbols and technical manuals and s...
• BTC.FS.10.7 Understand the attributes of good design.

California Academic Content Standards (Reinforced)

• ELA.8.R.CAGT.2.5 Understand and explain the use of a complex mechanical device by following techn...3

• What is it? - Hooks / Set

  Show the video link below of Bill Murray and the Saturday Night Live group about to have Thanksgiving day dinner.  Ask the class if they can relate to this video and how many of them eat together as a family and how often they do so.  Engage in conversation about the importance of sharing meals together.  Discuss how to set a table and where the flatware goes.  Have fun getting input from the class.  Mention that there is an item that used to be found on the table that is often missing today.  Bring out a model Lazy Susan and ask the class what it was used for.  Help the class to get a good understanding of how the lazy susan can be both decorative and useful at the dining room table. Let the class know that this would be great at the thanksgiving table or make a great Christmas gift.

  • Kids at the dinner table [ Download ]
• The measured drawing - Lecture

  Place a drawing in front of the class using an overhead projector, a document camera, or project the attached drawing below. Briefly identify the parts and go over the measurements of the lazy susan. 

  Check for understanding through oral questions and allow for student questions.

   

  • Lazy_Susan.jpg [ View Image ] [ Download Original ]
• Selecting and preparing material for the top. - Demo / Modeling

  This project starts out similar to making a laminated cutting board. If you have previously presented a lesson on making a laminated cutting board then skip to the next activity. If not, then proceed to do the following.

  1. Show the students how to find narrow strips of material most likely from the scrap bin and note that mixing wood species adds to the overall effect of the project.

  2. Demonstrate how to joint and rip sufficient material to uniform widths or  random widths  to add to the visual effect. 

  3. Demonstrate how to cut all the pieces to rough length.

  4. Show the class how to arrange the strips by mixing and matching the wood species as desired and how to arrange face grain up or edge grain up depending on the desired effect. Show the class how to label the pieces so that they can be placed back in the correct order should they get mixed up. Note that no two lazy susans will look alike.

  5. Demonstrate to the class how to dry clamp the strips together by alternating three bar clamps (two under and one on top) to provide holding power.

  6. Demonstrate how to apply a thin layer of glue to both surfaces of all the pieces and how to apply pressure from the middle clamp to the outside clamps.

  7. Tell the class to let it dry overnight.

  Check for learning and allow for questions.

  8. Take a previously glued board and demonstrate scraping the dried glue.

  9. Demonstrate belt sanding across the grain and with the grain to clean the surface of the board. Note: some instructors will prefer to skip this step and proceed to the surface planer or wide belt sander.

  10. Show the class how to finish sand the two faces with an orbital sander.

  The board is now prepared. Check for learning and allow for questions.

   
• Making the top round. - Demo / Modeling

  Most likely this will be day two of the lesson plan. Continue by:

  1. Locating the center of the laminated board.

  2. Using a large compass layout the desired size of the circle. Press hard on the center point as you will need the center mark later.

  3. Demonstrate to the class how to cut out the circle using a jig saw, scroll saw, or a band saw.  Explain to the class that this requires good eye to hand coordination and that practicing on scrap wood is a must. Tell the class that they should cut close to the drawn circle but that they should not touch the line.

  4. Show the class how to sand the rounded edge to the line with a disc sander.

  5. Show the class how to round over the edges with a portable router or a table router.

  6. Show the class how to finish sand the edges.

  The top is now finished. Check for learning and allow for questions.

   
• Making the base. - Demo / Modeling

  1. Describe to the class that the base will not be seen when on the table as it is slightly smaller in diameter than the top and therefore can be made out of most any type of material. I like to use 1/2 inch Baltic Birch plywood as it looks good and introduces the use of plywood. Take the appropriate time to discuss plywood; how it's made, where it is best used etc. 

  2. Demonstrate squaring a piece of material for the bottom, laying out the circle and cutting it round the same way the top piece was made round. Round over the edges and finish sand like the top as well.

  3. Show the class how to layout the location of the access hole and how to drill this hole at the drill press.

  The base is now finished. Check for learning and allow for questions.
• Bringing the top and base together. - Demo / Modeling

  1. Demonstrate to the class how to layout the locations of the pilot holes for the lazy susan hardware for the top piece.

  2. Do the same for the pilot holes on the bottom piece noting that the distance from center is less on the bottom piece. Make sure to note that the distance from center for the pilot holes on the top is the same distance from center as the access hole is on the bottom.

  3. Demonstrate drilling the pilot holes at the drill press using the depth gage.

  4. Screw the lazy susan hardware onto the bottom first, then using the access hole screw the lazy susan and bottom piece onto the top.

  5. Test to see of it rotates properly.

  6. Dismantle the project and follow your steps for applying your desired top coat finish.

  7. Reassemble the parts together when the protective finish is dry and the project is complete.

  Check for understanding and allow for questions.

   
• The final spin! - Closure

  You may wish to close this lesson by reviewing all the steps necessary to make a lazy susan and having the students write a plan of procedure. One way to do this is to have the students call out each step as you guide them. Another method might be to break them up into small groups for a cooperative learning assignment and let them recall the necessary steps. A fun way might be to simply scramble the steps and have the class write them down in the correct order.