How to Make TV Trays

You can eliminate the hassle of not having a convenient flat surface when watching TV with a simple TV tray. Instead of purchasing one, make your own. Plain wood folding TV trays can be built in an afternoon, and painting or staining them can be completed over a single weekend.

Things You'll Need

• Miter saw or cutting box
• Drill
• Drill No. 2 Phillips screw tip
• 1/8-inch drill bit
• 1/4-inch drill bit
• Tape measure
• Framing square
• 1 24-by-16-by-1-inch wood panel
• 2 1-by-2-by-34-inch legs
• 2 1-by-2-by-36-inch legs
• 1 1-by-2-by-20-inch pieces of wood
• 2 1-by-2-by-18 1/2-inch pieces of wood
• 2 1-by-2-by-17-inch pieces of wood
• 2 small hinges with screws
• 2 2-inch carriage bolts with washers and wing nuts
• 16 1 1/2-inch wood screws
• 4 1 1/4-inch wood screws

Instructions

Build Folding TV Trays

1. Make your miter cuts by cutting a 45-degree angle at the end of each leg. The inside, or short point on one end will be the outside, or long point when the other end is cut. When the legs are opened into an "X" shape, the mitered ends will all be horizontal.

2. Place the legs into two stacks, grouped by length. Turn them so that all of the angles match. Using the 1/8-inch bit, drill two holes completely through each end of the legs. The holes should be recessed 3/8 inch from the mitered cut. Be careful to keep the bit straight as you press down. Use the 1/4-inch bit and drill a hole through the center of both stacks. These holes are for the bolts that allow your stand to swivel.

3. Using the 1 1/2-inch screws, attach the 1-by-2-by-18 1/2-inch pieces flush with the miter cuts on two of the legs. Connect the 17-inch pieces to the other two legs in the same manner. The narrow set of legs will fit snugly between the wider set. Place a bolt through the center hole on each side, and place a wing nut on it. The legs should pivot on the center bolts smoothly, but should not be loose. Using wing nuts allows you to adjust the tightness as needed.

4. Lay the tray face down on the work bench or floor. Measure 2 inches in from one long side and make a mark. Use the framing square to mark a straight line 2 inches in from the edge. Measure 2 inches in from the short side, and make a mark where the measurement intersects the line. Place the 20-inch piece flat along the first line so that it is between the line and the long edge of the tray. Line up the end of it with the second mark. Attach the piece along the line using the four 1 1/4-inch screws. This is the tray stop that the legs will open against.

5. Measure in 1 inch and make a straight line along the opposite long edge, as before. Butt the wide set of legs to this line, with the line between the legs and the edge of the tray. Attach the hinges evenly spaced along the support that runs between the legs. Attach the hinges to the tray lies flush with the legs when the hinges are closed.

6. Turn the tray upright. To fold it, lift slightly on the non-hinged side and fold the short set of legs into the long set. The tray will then fold down, and the result can be stored in a space that is only 3 inches wide.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear safety glasses to prevent dust and debris from causing serious inconvenience or damage. Make the legs longer or shorter to adjust the desired height for the tray. After cutting and drilling the holes, finish the material with paints or stains and sealants.

References

• Bolt and Screw Reference Chats

Resources

• Build a Folding Table
• Folding Table Design