Do I need to drill holes to install a Kmart lazy susan?

Yes, if your unit comes with a separate mounting plate, you need to drill pilot holes into the cabinet shelf. The turntable top itself comes with pre-drilled holes, but the shelf does not. Use a 3 mm drill bit for particle board and a 2 mm bit for timber.

What is the weight limit for a Kmart lazy susan?

Most Kmart-brand lazy susans are rated for roughly 10 to 15 kg of evenly distributed weight. Avoid placing a single heavy object at the very edge of the turntable, as this strains the bearing and can cause wobbling or premature wear.

Can I install a Kmart lazy susan without the mounting plate?

Yes. If your model includes a mounting plate, it is optional. You can screw the lower bearing ring directly into the shelf using the long screws. The countersunk holes in the ring allow the screw heads to sit flush. Skipping the plate is fine for single-layer solid shelves.

My Kmart lazy susan is wobbly after assembly. How do I fix it?

Loosen all the short screws that attach the turntable top to the upper bearing ring. Press the top down evenly so it sits flush against the ring, then re-tighten the screws in a star pattern (opposite sides first). If the wobble persists, check that the mounting plate itself is level on the shelf.

Kmart Lazy Susan Assembly Instructions

Unpacking and Identifying the Parts

Before you begin, lay out all components on a flat, clean surface. The box typically contains a wooden or laminate turntable top, a central metal or plastic bearing base, a smaller mounting plate, screws of two lengths, and often a hex key (Allen key). Some superseded models also include a circular rubber mat to sit between the bearing and the shelf.

Check the cardboard insert for a small parts diagram. Kmart's own-brand units are almost always mechanically identical to other standard 30 cm or 40 cm lazy susans sold in Australia, so this guide applies to most of their current white, timber, or black finishes. If a screw or washer is missing, contact Kmart customer service rather than substituting an oversized screw, which can crack the particle board.

Turntable top (the shelf that rotates)
Bearing base with ball bearings or a rotating ring
Mounting plate that fixes to your cabinet shelf
Short screws for the turntable top and long screws for the mounting plate
Hex key, if the screws are socket-head type

A disassembled lazy susan kit with a round wooden top, a metal bearing ring, a small mounting plate, and screws laid out on a table.

Anatomy of the Bearing Base

The bearing base is the mechanical core. On a Kmart unit, this is usually a single-piece plastic ring with a central hole, or two interlocking discs with ball bearings sandwiched between them. The key distinction is which half moves: the lower ring stays fixed to your shelf, while the upper ring rotates with the turntable top.

Look for the direction arrows or the words 'THIS SIDE UP' moulded into the plastic. This matters because the screw holes on the lower ring are countersunk for the mounting screws, while the upper ring has clearance holes for the short screws that hold the wood top. Installing the bearing upside down is the single most common mistake and prevents the unit from turning smoothly.

Part	Where it goes	Which screws to use
Turntable top	Topmost, visible surface	Short screws (pre-drilled holes)
Bearing upper ring	Under the turntable top	Short screws through clearance holes
Bearing lower ring	Against the cabinet shelf	Long screws through countersunk holes
Mounting plate	Optional, between shelf and lower ring	Long screws through the plate

Pre-Drilling and Pilot Holes

Kmart lazy susan tops come with pre-drilled pilot holes, but the mounting plate and the shelf underneath do not. If your unit includes a mounting plate that screws into the bottom of your cabinet shelf, you must drill your own pilot holes into the shelf. Use a 3 mm drill bit for particle board and a 2 mm bit for solid timber.

The pilot hole prevents the particle board from splitting when the long screw is driven in. Mark the hole positions by placing the mounting plate on the shelf, tracing the holes with a pencil, then removing the plate before drilling. For a standard kitchen cabinet shelf, you need the hole to be slightly deeper than the screw length but not so deep that it exits the top of the shelf.

Drilling is the only step that cannot be reversed. If you are renting, consider an adhesive mounting option or a clamping lazy susan instead of screwing into the cabinet. If you own the cabinet and the shelf is flimsy, skip the mounting plate entirely and screw the lower bearing ring directly into a single-layer shelf.

Securing the Mounting Plate to the Shelf

Place the mounting plate roughly in the centre of the cabinet shelf. It does not need to be perfectly centred relative to the cabinet door, but it should be centred relative to the usable square area of the shelf. Position it so the turntable top, once fitted, will not catch on the cabinet hinges when it rotates.

Hold the plate in place and drive the long screws through the plate into the pilot holes. Tighten them with a manual screwdriver or a drill driver set to a low torque setting. Over-tightening can strip the pilot hole, especially in low-density particle board. Stop turning as soon as the screw head sits flush against the plate.

If your Kmart model does not include a mounting plate, skip this step entirely and attach the lower bearing ring directly to the shelf using the long screws. The lower ring's countersunk holes let the screw heads sit flush so the bearing can still rotate above them.

A hand holding a metal mounting plate with screws being driven through it into a wooden cabinet shelf.

Attaching the Turntable Top and Testing Rotation

Set the bearing base on top of the mounting plate. Align the clearance holes of the upper bearing ring with the pre-drilled holes in the underside of the turntable top. Insert the short screws and tighten them alternately (one, then the opposite side) so the top does not warp against the bearing.

Give the top a spin. It should rotate smoothly with minimal friction and without a wobble. A wobble nearly always means one screw is tighter than the rest or the top is not seated flush against the bearing's upper ring. Loosen all four short screws, press the top down evenly, and re-tighten in a star pattern.

Test with a small jar or a can of vegetables placed near the outer edge. The turntable should carry the weight without stalling or tilting. Most Kmart models support 10 to 15 kg evenly distributedcars, but loading one heavy item at the very edge will strain the bearing and shorten its life.

Finally, rotate the turntable 360 degrees while the cabinet door is open and again while it is closed. This checks that the outer diameter clears the door frame and the hinges. If it rubs, move the entire assembly a few centimetres toward the centre of the shelf and repeat the screw tightening.