How I Make Serving Trays

[@tomausburne1769]

Great job! I've started making some myself and definitely learned a few things.

[@MaxG628]

I’ve tried masking tape for glue up, and it’s easy to have it get stuck in the joint, or leave residue from the tape on the project. The best solution I found is a damp paper towel to wipe up the glue when it’s wet. Supposedly you can also wait half an hour and pry it off when it’s somewhat tacky. Also, please take your gloves off when you use power tools, if the gloves get sucked into the blade, your hand will go with them. And as other people have mentioned, make sure you are routing in the right direction. All of that said, you managed to get a project done safely so congratulations.

[@ryandaywoodworking]

Thanks for the tips! The gloves are gone!

[@zdw216]

They look great. Check whether you’re using that handheld router in the right direction. May be the camera but looked like you may have been going in the wrong direction.

[@ryandaywoodworking]

You're probably right! Good catch!

[@roc-wood-creations]

They look great! It may be worth finishing the insides of the tray before gluing them up. That way any glue squeeze out can just be easily removed? 👍

[@ryandaywoodworking]

Thanks!

[@michaelboyle7668]

Would like to see a Biscuit in each corner but very neat job😊

[@jimrosson6702]

Great job they turned out great

[@ryandaywoodworking]

Thanks!

[@trevorlucas9971]

Looked good

[@ryandaywoodworking]

Appreciate it!

[@houseoffire72]

Excellent work..! I have been using Watco butcher block oil on the live edge trays I build. Seems durable with three coats. I sand with 600g between coats.

[@ryandaywoodworking]

Thanks! That’s great to know. I’ve been using a mineral oil/bees wax product from Lee Valley for cutting boards. I’ll give the Watch stuff a try next time.

[@houseoffire72]

@@ryandaywoodworking I like Lee Valley for the good stuff🤑 One day, oh yes one day I will have a collection of Lee Valley Hand Planes. When I do my cutting boards I sand upto 320, pop the grain with water then sand with 400g. Then a mineral oil bath, let soak & wipe after a few hours. Then I use a citrus oil/bee's wax blend, same process & final is a diy board butter made with 4 parts mineral oil / 1 part bee's wax. Sometimes I go 3-1 & use a heat gun to help it soak in after its applied which seems to really help. I then use my orbital sander with terry cloth and buff to a nice butter smooth finish. Keep up the awesome work & vids.

[@johnnyc563]

Nice project. I noticed your t-track on the Bosch miter saw. Can you provide a link to it? BTW, it was very enjoyable listening to what you were doing, like normal human beings should do in every video. I was thinking that biscuits or splines would greatly strengthen those miter joints. I've also seen others use contrasting dowels in the joints that look really appealing. Nice work. Thanks for the info.

[@ryandaywoodworking]

Thanks for the feedback! It's the Woodpeckers Combo Track: www.woodpeck.com/woodpeckers-combo-track.html

[@stevebl4439]

I was wondering, if you routed a rebate on the inside of the top, and the outside of the bottom so they nested. would you get into the dado for the bottom, or would the sides need to be thicker?

[@ryandaywoodworking]

Hey Steve! I’m not quite sure I follow your question. My intention for these trays was to sell them individually, not to keep them as a set, so I’m not sure there would be value in having them nest. Let me know if I misunderstood your thought here.

[@stevebl4439]

@@ryandaywoodworking thank you for the reply. I felt that you were ether selling yours or giving them as gifts. For me my daughter and son in-law entertain a lot. I thought if I made some for them it would help with storage. So I was worried about cutting to deep on the bottom.

[@ryandaywoodworking]

Gotcha! That would work. You might want to raise the bottom panel up a little bit give more room for the rabbet, but I think it would work!

[@stevebl4439]

@@ryandaywoodworkingThank you sir, have a good day.

[@ArmyVet76]

those would’ve looked sharp with opposing color splines. They did turn out pretty sharp though.

[@ryandaywoodworking]

Thanks! I agree. I have to build a spline jig, but might try that on the next batch.

[@neilwoodbridge8232]

Would of been nice to show what you can actually can fit in the trays such as plate of food with cutlery and a glass of juice. Apart from that nice build.

[@betrickey]

I would recommend not gluing your panel in. Look into using space balls. They are rubber balls that allows the panel to float which allows expansion and contraction.

[@ryandaywoodworking]

Would this change if you are using plywood for the base? I have to make another but with more complex/compound angles. Debating using walnut plywood or resaving 4/4 boards again

[@CustomWoodWorkDecor]

I think it’s time someone made a glue that can be perfectly stained. Glue squeeze out is so annoying.

[@ryandaywoodworking]

No kidding!

[@doylemetzinger1774]

I prefer to make with WoodPrix plans.

[@ryandaywoodworking]

What’s that?