Turntable bearings: lazy Susan, industrial rings & spindle types
Turntable bearing is a usage name, not one interchangeable component. A furniture swivel plate, an industrial slewing ring, a robot turret joint and a record-player spindle have different load paths, dimensions and lubrication. Identify which system you mean before selecting by diameter or a heavy-duty label.
On this page14 sections ⌄
Which turntable bearing are you looking for?
On smaller screens, scroll the table sideways to read all columns.
| System | Construction / role | Relevant example |
|---|---|---|
| Lazy Susan / swivel plate | A plate assembly rotating on a ball raceway | Shepherd 9546–9549 below. |
| Industrial table or large rotating structure | A ring selected for axial/radial load and overturning moment | Kaydon HS and other slewing-bearing families. |
| Sliding rotary ring | Replaceable sliding elements rather than rolling balls | igus PRT; an application-specific alternative. |
| Robot turret joint | A geared rotary component integrated into a building system | VEX Turntable Bearing Kit V2. |
| Record-player platter | A central spindle and matching bearing, distinct from the tonearm pivots | Rega Naia illustrates a ceramic spindle/bearing pair; other players can differ. |
| Trailer turntable | A vehicle steering/support application | Requires a dedicated vehicle-approved specification; furniture examples do not qualify. |
Lazy Susan size and load examples: 3, 4, 6 and 12 inch
Shepherd Hardware's current product labels are retained. Nominal inch sizes are converted at 25.4 mm/in; they are not measured installation tolerances.
These are zinc-plated metal products using a ball raceway; the pages say mounting screws are not included. Their examples include serving trays, storage and rotating displays. Plate size is not the diameter of the platform you may attach.
The published product summaries do not establish a moment rating, side-load rating, allowable platform overhang or complete mounting-hole drawing. Do not use shipping-package dimensions as bearing dimensions. A 1000 lb label is not evidence of suitability for every eccentric load or orientation.
On smaller screens, scroll the table sideways to read all columns.
| Manufacturer model | Plate shape | Nominal size in / mm | Published load capacity lb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shepherd 9546 | Square | 3 / 76.2 | 200 |
| Shepherd 9547 | Square | 4 / 101.6 | 400 |
| Shepherd 9548 | Square | 6 / 152.4 | 500 |
| Shepherd 9549 | Round | 12 / 304.8 | 1000 |
Why platform weight alone is not enough
For an idealized point force perpendicular to a lever arm, the overturning moment is force × offset. That relationship helps describe a load case; it does not convert a product's weight label into an approved platform design. A driven or heavily cantilevered installation needs the complete technical specification.
On smaller screens, scroll the table sideways to read all columns.
| Question | What to record |
|---|---|
| Is the load centred? | The load position and its offset from the rotation axis. |
| How is the plate supported? | The supporting surface, fixing locations and stiffness. |
| Can the assembly tip or lift? | The complete platform stability and retention, not just a bearing label. |
| How does it move? | Hand rotation versus motor drive, speed, starts/stops and repeated duty. |
| Is there a lock? | A verified locking mechanism and its holding specification; normal turning friction is not a lock. |
VEX Turntable Bearing Kit V2: identify the correct components
The manufacturer's current kit reference is 276-5652. It describes geared acetal-copolymer turntables with a steel mounting bracket.
These identifiers help distinguish a kit from its individual parts. They are not metric bearing designations or a measured load capacity. No numerical permissible side load, overturning moment or CAD file is supplied here, and the current V2 kit is not silently identified as an older kit number.
On smaller screens, scroll the table sideways to read all columns.
| Included component | Quantity | Published identifier / gearing |
|---|---|---|
| Large turntable | 1 | 276-5652-000 / 84-tooth spur gear |
| Small turntable | 1 | 276-5652-004 / 60-tooth spur gear |
| Mounting bracket | 1 | 276-5652-007 |
Record-player spindle bearings are a separate system
Rega Naia uses a ZTA ceramic spindle and matching central bearing kept together as a set, running with fully synthetic oil. That is one documented design, not a description of every Rega or other record player. A platter spindle and a tonearm pivot are also different bearing positions.
The product description does not supply a universal viscosity, refill amount or service procedure. Identify the exact player and bearing before adding oil or grease. A new lubricant name, matching ball diameter or industrial bearing recommendation is not evidence of compatibility. No Pink Triangle jewel-bearing specification is inferred from this Rega example.
Small, large and precision turntables: compare the measurable requirement
igus PRT is an example of a sliding rotary ring with replaceable bearing elements. Its lubrication-free concept is specific to that product system. It does not prove that any dry furniture plate or precision spindle can run without its required lubricant.
On smaller screens, scroll the table sideways to read all columns.
| Search description | Replace it with a measurable field |
|---|---|
| Small / mini | Available diameter, height, mounting space and actual load. |
| Large / heavy duty | Envelope plus axial/radial force, overturning moment and structural support. |
| Precision | Runout, clearance/preload, stiffness, repeatability and duty. |
| Ball vs plain bearing | Rolling contact versus sliding elements; compare the exact friction, wear and lubrication requirements. |
| Lockable | The lock type, positive engagement, holding rating and release method. |
Measurements to keep with a replacement enquiry
Use the slewing-ring guide for industrial model dimensions and structural selection. Use the original equipment reference for trailer and record-player parts; this page does not manufacture a missing model match.
On smaller screens, scroll the table sideways to read all columns.
| Field | Keep the distinction |
|---|---|
| Make, model and assembly | Whole turntable, bearing unit, bare ring or kit part. |
| Physical dimensions | Plate OD/width, opening, height and actual fixing pattern. |
| Units | Original inches or millimetres, with conversion kept explicit. |
| Load / motion | Load position, orientation, speed and duty. |
| Documents | Part drawing and revision; shipping dimensions are not a drawing. |
What the evidence can — and cannot — tell you
| Observation or context | Interpretation to consider | Verification needed |
|---|---|---|
| A lazy Susan or swivel plate | A rotating support component | Compare plate shape, fixing layout, load conditions and platform stability. |
| An industrial turntable | A complete machine application | Select the bearing using forces, moment, speed, accuracy and mounting. |
| A record-player bearing | A model-specific spindle or arm component | Keep the matched parts and specified lubricant; do not substitute industrial grease. |
A practical investigation sequence
Identify and record
Identify the equipment: furniture/display, industrial table, robot joint, trailer or record player.
Check the context
Record the exact component model, supported platform, loading, dimensions and fixing pattern.
Verify before acting
Compare a documented candidate, including what the published rating does not specify.
Keep the decision traceable
Use the equipment's mounting and lubrication instructions; preserve the part identity and drawing revision.
Capture the information a model search cannot guess
Keep this checklist with your inspection or comparison. Checking a box only records that you have collected the item; it does not certify the bearing.
0 of 4 information groups recorded.
Technical basis & editorial scope
Original BearingScope workflow, written for catalogue research and comparison. Manufacturer material is used to check principles, not copied as a product endorsement or substituted for model-specific instructions. Reviewed 1 October 2026.
- Shepherd Hardware — 9546 — Named product/family evidence only; no universal load, lubricant or fitment approval. Reviewed 2 October 2026.
- Shepherd Hardware — 9547 — Named product/family evidence only; no universal load, lubricant or fitment approval. Reviewed 2 October 2026.
- Shepherd Hardware — 9548 — Named product/family evidence only; no universal load, lubricant or fitment approval. Reviewed 2 October 2026.
- Shepherd Hardware — 9549 — Named product/family evidence only; no universal load, lubricant or fitment approval. Reviewed 2 October 2026.
- VEX — Turntable Bearing Kit V2 — Named product/family evidence only; no universal load, lubricant or fitment approval. Reviewed 2 October 2026.
- Rega — Naia central bearing — Named product/family evidence only; no universal load, lubricant or fitment approval. Reviewed 2 October 2026.
- igus — PRT sliding rotary rings — Named product/family evidence only; no universal load, lubricant or fitment approval. Reviewed 2 October 2026.
- Kaydon — HS series — Named product/family evidence only; no universal load, lubricant or fitment approval. Reviewed 2 October 2026.
Source addresses and collection status are retained in the internal audit. No unpublished dimensions, torque settings, service intervals or interchange approvals are inferred.