Introduction: Lazy IlluSusan — a 3D Wood Serving Board Mosaic Illusion

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About: I like to make things.

Inspired by the same optical illusion that turned a wall-clock into a three-dimensional paradox, this “Tumbling Block Lazy Susan” (aka Lazy IlluSusan) transforms a familiar household object into a dynamic piece of functional art. The rotating platform reveals different facets of a continuous tumbling-block mosaic, creating the illusion of shifting cubes as the Lazy Susan spins.

My build combines woodworking, geometry, and visual trickery. From above, the surface looks like a stack of 3D cubes; rotating it creates the illusion that the blocks “fold,” “pop,” or “sink” depending on the lighting and viewing angle.

You can use it to serve food or display a floral bouquet, I use it to mesmerize (or maybe hypnotize my quest).

Supplies

Supplies & Materials

  1. Three contrasting woods (for example: light-tone maple, medium-tone cherry, dark-tone walnut — or any trio of woods with good contrast)
  2. Optional: Plywood or hardwood disc (to serve as the base of the Lazy Susan). Makes glue up easier which I later learned.
  3. Lazy Susan bearing turntable hardware (sized appropriately for your disc diameter)
  4. Wood glue (this one is waterproof)
  5. Sandpaper and sanding block (120 → 220 → 320 grit)
  6. Food-safe finish (mineral oil, shellac, or this one good for Cutting Boards)
  7. Optional: non-slip rubber pads (underneath to protect table surface)

Tools

  1. Table saw (for ripping strips and cutting diamond shapes) or visit a friend
  2. Thin rip jig for cutting wood strips
  3. Miter gauge (for consistent 60° cuts)
  4. Router, jigsaw, or band saw (for cutting circular disc base)
  5. Circle-cutting jig (I'll show you how to make one too)
  6. Sanding block (for smoothing and edge work)

*Amazon affiliate link added for reference

Step 1: Design the (Illusion) Pattern

The tumbling-block illusion uses three diamonds (aka rhombi) arranged at 60° intervals:

  1. Decide on final diameter of your Lazy Susan (common: 12"–18")
  2. Measure out wood strip width (this establishes the cube size) (mine were 1")
  3. Plan rhombi pattern (light-left, dark=top, medium-right)

Design a layout for the tumbling-block pattern to cover a circular disc.

Step 2: Cut the Wood Strips & Diamonds (Rhombi)

Make the component pieces:

  1. Rip three contrasting hardwoods into equal-width strips.
  2. At the table saw with a miter gauge set to 60°, cut consistent rhombus pieces.
  3. Sort by species: light, medium, dark.
  4. Dry-fit a section to ensure clean geometry and contrast.

TIP: Cut extra pieces to allow sorting for best grain and contrast.

Step 3: Assemble the Tumbling Block Panel

Now the fun and magic starts:

  1. Lay the rhombi out into the tumbling-block pattern.
  2. Glue pieces together in small clusters of 3 then fit to center cluster of 8 piece.
  3. Combine small clusters around the center cluster to build out the full panel slightly larger than your final circle diameter.
  4. If you used a plywood base, the glue up is a bit easier.

Once dry:

  1. Scrape excess glue.
  2. Sand flat (120 → 220 grit).
  3. Check for gaps and fill if needed.
  4. Confirm that the panel is a bit larger than your final circle size. This ensures safe trimming on the bandsaw, router, or jigsaw.

Step 4: Cut the Panel and Apply Finish

I lost the pics of the bandsaw cutting but I provided the plans and videos for you to see.

Using a Bandsaw Circle-Cutting Jig (See Jig Ops below )

  1. Set your jig’s pivot point to radius = (final diameter / 2).
  2. Attach the Tumbling Block panel to the jig using:
  3. A small screw through the bottom center, or
  4. Double-sided tape if you prefer no screw holes.
  5. Align the pivot point on the jig with the bandsaw blade.
  6. Slowly rotate the panel through the blade.
  7. Maintain steady pressure — let the jig maintain the perfect arc.

You’ll end up with a clean, precise circle that shows off the tumbling-block pattern beautifully.

Optional: Add a slight round over with a router.

Here is a video on how to use a router to cut the circle


Now make it perfect:

  1. Sand through 120, 180, 220 and 320 grits for a smooth touch. (Don't skip grits.)
  2. Apply a food-safe finish if the piece will be in contact with food.
  3. Let the finish dry fully and buff as needed.

The finish will dramatically enhance the 3D illusion by deepening contrast.



Jig Ops:

  1. Clamp the base to the bandsaw table so that the pivot pin and the circle holes are lined up with the front edge of the bandsaw blade.
  2. Lift the pivot board off the base and install a pin in the desired circle hole.
  3. Center the blank on the pin.
  4. Fit the pivot board back on the base with the blank well clear of the sawblade.
  5. Start the bandsaw and swing the pivot board into the sawblade which will cut a reverse circle into the scrap area of the blank. When the pivot board meets the stop block, rotate the blank to cut a circle.

An advantage of this jig is the ease of changing circle diameters. Just liftoff the pivot board and reposition the circle centrepin. There is no need to remove the whole unit from the bandsaw.

Step 5: Attach Lazy Susan Turntable Hardware

Almost done:

  1. Attach the Lazy Illusion bearing to the bottom.
  2. Add rubber pads to the bottom to protect surfaces.
  3. Gently spin and watch how the cube illusion seems to shift, fold, or invert depending on angle. Lighting makes a huge difference, so experiment with shadows!

Step 6: Enjoy Your Dynamic Art Piece

The tumbling-block pattern is a centuries-old optical illusion (usually seen on quilts).

I thought it would be fun to put that on a Lazy Susan since it's built to spin. You can watch an ever-changing

work of art that creates the illusion of depth out of flat wood. A simple rotation makes the board come alive.