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Building a Simple Airbrush Turntable (That Actually Works)
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Building a Simple Airbrush Turntable (That Actually Works)
Sometimes the best tools are the ones you build yourself. Here’s how I put together an airbrush turntable that’s made my model painting easier, cleaner, and more fun—even if the first attempt wasn’t perfect.
There’s something satisfying about building something with your own hands—especially when it actually makes your hobby easier. That’s exactly what happened when I decided to throw together a turntable for my airbrush setup.
It all started with a Lazy Susan bearing I picked up from the local hardware store. You’ve probably seen them—simple metal rings with ball bearings that let things spin 360 degrees. Add some scrap plywood, a few screws, and a moment of inspiration (or stubbornness), and suddenly, I had a new tool in the shop.
The idea was simple: a base that rotates so I can paint models without touching them. No more awkward angles. No more smudged paint. Just smooth, even coverage.
I’ll be honest—I didn’t get it perfect on the first try. The screws were too long, my countersinks weren’t quite right, and my “eyeballed” center wasn’t exactly laser-accurate. But it came together. And it worked.
The final touch was going back to countersink those screws properly. I didn’t want anything sticking up or snagging. Just smooth spins and a solid surface. And when it finally turned smoothly under a test model? Yeah, that felt good.
This isn’t a precision-engineered masterpiece. But it’s functional. It saves time. It keeps my hands off the paint. And I made it with stuff I had lying around.
If you’re painting models—trains, cars, miniatures—this kind of setup is worth the few bucks and a little sweat. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll enjoy the process just as much as the result.
Until next time—keep building, keep creating, and don’t be afraid to fix things as you go. Good enough often is.
Until next time—thanks for being here.