How to Make a Wood Serving Tray
Inviting guests into your home is a hospitable way to share camaraderie. One way to get multiple beverages or food items to your entertaining area is to place them on a tray. Building your own serving tray is fairly easy and will provide your guests with a topic of conversation as they see their refreshments arrive.
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Things You'll Need
- 24-inch piece of 3/4-inch plywood
- 4 pieces of 1-by-3 boards
- Measuring tape
- Safety glasses
- Saw
- Carpenter's square
- Drill with screwdriver bit
- Wood screws
- 2 handles
Instructions
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1
Wearing safety glasses, cut the wood to length. Cut the 3/4-inch plywood to 18 inches long, cut two 1-by-3s to 24 inches long, and cut two pieces of 1-by-3 16-1/2 inches long.
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2
Line up the two pieces of 24-inch 1-by-3s on top of the plywood base at the 24-inch edges. Square the pieces so they are at right angles to the plywood with the carpenter's square.
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3
Screw the pieces into place with four screws, one on either end and the other two about eight inches apart.
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4
Place the 16-1/2-inch pieces of 1-by-3 on top of the plywood at the shorter edges and between the 24-inch boards. Square the pieces to the plywood and the 24-inch 1-by-3 with the carpenter's square. Screw the pieces into place using three screws--one on either side and one in the center.
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5
Center the handles along the 18-inch sides of the tray. The handles should be centered on each side and placed about one inch from the top edge. Screw the handles into place.
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Tips & Warnings
Stain or paint the tray once it's assembled or leave it unfinished for a natural look. Cedar, pine or redwood can be used instead of plywood. Match the handles to the look you want. For a more rustic design, pair wrought iron with redwood. For a more modern look, use a light cedar with a shiny aluminum handle.
Make sure the 1-by-3 pieces sit on top of the plywood or the pieces won't fit.
