Thread: Serving Trays

Bloody well done D
Do you sell them ?

Different

Nice design Daryl!

I assume the veneered plywood sits in a groove similar to a raised panel door construction?

Mind if I blatantly copy the design for a couple Xmas gifts this year? Assuming I get time to make them of course.

Very nice, you should be proud of them.

I made one tray for us when we have BBQs. Others saw them and I have made over 40 of them now for friends. So anyone wanting to make quality gifts that don't take up too much time and use relatively small amounts of timber - think trays.

The rubbish sold as trays in most shops is over priced and I am sure those staples holding the thin mdf base to the butt jointed frame won't last the distance between the backdoor and the barbie.

Wonderful Trays!!

I like the idea of using veneer instead of solid timber. Solves the problem of timber movement, Brilliant xmas presents Also a great choice of timbers!

Beautiful work, Darryl.

Rocker

Thanks guys

No, I don't sell anything - just making them as gifts.

I took a pic of the pieces before I glued up. The bases I did with 6mm MDF or ply (had some of both) and veneered both sides with the same veneer. The edges are 20x25mm and I routed about 8mm wide to fit the veneered base, 1/8" roundover bit on all edges, then formed the tenons on the ends.

The end pieces are made from 30x50mm stock. I actually modified a 1/2" cove bit (removed the pilot bearing & ground off the post for it) to cut the large kinda oval cove in a bunch of passes. Had to shape a sanding block to clean it up. Then routed the groove for the base - located about 5mm lower than the groove in the sides. Then a roundover bit on the edges - didn't round over the edges of the cove though.

I glued them up with the sides very slightly proud of the ends and sanded them flush when dry, then rounded over the top & bottom of the ends of the end pieces on the router table.



So yeah guys - feel free to copy them

nice work darryl , like the camphor one the best though.
something similar in aussie wood review.
i think everyones families are getting trays for xmas!
seeyasoon mik.

Do you make your own veneer? And if so to what thickness to do cut the timber?
Suresh

My dictionary defines elegant as "ingeniously simple and pleasing".

Your trays are therfore 'elegant'. Great work.

I bought the veneers at the Specialty Wood Centre at Toronto. Got a bunch of others at the same time - he has some really nice stuff.

I like the camphor laurel one best too - SWMBO likes the other one though. I think I'll have to make a smaller one for her with the camphor laurel as well.

Mik: Wood Review might have been where I saw the design, couldn't find it again when I went looking though.

Great project and excellent photos / description. Well Done!!

Is the Silver Ash an Eastern States Timber or Imported from OS?

I think it's northern NSW or Queensland. Nice stuff actually - a little prone to tearout but has a nice whitish sheen to it.

Thanks Darryl, I've just been to your website and note that you also make boxes with the Gifkins Dovetail Jig. I just purchased one at the Perth Woodworking Show and am very impressed with it's accuracy. Your boxes also reflect the craftsmanship in the trays. You have a very good and informative website, especially the links page. Recommended!