How to Make Router Trays: Templates, Tips & More

How to make wooden trays and bowls with a router and not a CNC or lathe. If you're familiar with making cutting boards, this is definitely right up your alley. Even if you're not, this is definitely a fun project for a hobbyist woodworker, tinker, or maker. In the video, I walk you through all the steps for making wooden trays with router templates.
-⏱Timestamps⏱-
00:00 How to Make a Router Tray
01:11 Router Tray Templates
02:30 Making & Modifying Templates
04:35 Saving Wood
06:20 Glue Ups
06:49 Tracing the Template
07:04 "Hogging" Out Material
08:17 Drill Press Option
09:30 Router Bit & Custom Plate
10:04 Attaching Templates & Routing
12:26 Outside Perimeter
14:58 Sanding Part 1
15:23 Chamfered Option
16:06 Roundover & Edge Profiles
17:03 Sanding Options & Tools
19:28 Raising the Grain
19:59 Finishing Options
21:11 Applying Finish
24:09 Buffing & Burnishing Tips
26:16 Final Product & Last Tips
-📸Instagram🎥-
/ 6_8woodworks
-🔨Tools/Supplies I Use🔨-
www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-5-...
Full List: www.amazon.com/shop/6_8woodworks
-As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.-
Router: amzn.to/3xdgS9W
Drill Press: amzn.to/3fc5hlE
Bandsaw: amzn.to/3PEXkFE
Collet Extender: amzn.to/2TFHZwM
Bowl & Tray Bit: amzn.to/3j09eLg
Plexiglass Sheet: amzn.to/3f9hqI6
Small Flush Trim Bit: amzn.to/3g0RS07
Large Flush Trim Bit: amzn.to/3BmSd8Q
Spiral Upcut Bit: amzn.to/3f7ZBca
2” Forstner Bit: amzn.to/377d4wr
Large Chamfer Bit: amzn.to/3BR20lk
Large Roundover Bit: amzn.to/3idjLni
Small Roundover Bit: amzn.to/3OJ1cUL
Drill Press Sanding Attachment: amzn.to/37cSScs
Arbortech Contour Sander: amzn.to/2VjOV32
Angle Grinder: amzn.to/376P24C
Drill Sanding Attachment: amzn.to/3zOdMLn
Starbond CA Glue Kit: amzn.to/3l9fS4p
Wood Glue: amzn.to/3tYoxb8
Pneumatic Sander: amzn.to/3z8L612
Dividers: amzn.to/3JlIdic
Curve Stencils: amzn.to/3bd3y0D
Buffer Attachment Pack: amzn.to/3Q2z9AJ
1" Sander Attachment Pack: amzn.to/3bd2Bp5
Orbital Buffer: amzn.to/2QfjzbK
Light Scouring Pads: amzn.to/3uGW7Dj
Buffer Bonnets: amzn.to/3w9IRrh
Tried & True Finish: amzn.to/3JctXbe
Cutting Board Oil: amzn.to/3lfEzwl
Board Wax: amzn.to/3u0gmey
MicroJig Matchfit Clamps: amzn.to/3OHOHJd
Bench Vise: amzn.to/3S7GVet
Benchtop Belt Sander: amzn.to/3OGY63O
Table Saw: amzn.to/3sw2A2G
Wood 101 video: • Wood 101 For Woodworke...
Cutting Board 101 video: • Cutting Board 101: How...
Router Bowl video: • How to Make A Bowl wit...
-Router Tray Templates-
I purchased my MDF templates from www.woodline.com/collections/...
-💻Website💻-
www.sixeightwoodworks.com
For more about my DIY router table, check out / careu4ijcli

[@donpatterson5615]

Love your content. Always learn something and really enjoy the way you present the topic. Especially the way you always provide options for tools at different levels of woodworking skill/commitment/engagement/investment however one wishes to quantify it, you provide options. A great way to present to a wide audience. And above all, as always, beautiful work. Love the channel.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Appreciate this so much! That really is my intent and goal. Thanks for your support!

[@TheCreativeDenWoodworkingCo]

I couldn’t agree more. This is my go-to channel. The best on KZbin, in my opinion!

[@desertman3]

I'm very impressed with your channel! Found it back in the spring when I was looking for information on trellises for my garden and became a subscriber after watching that video. Your presentation is straight forward. You are an excellent instructor. I began my woodworking journey after retirement and have learn so much from your content. Well done, keep "em"coming!👍. Of course now I see two "MORE" router bits I need to add to the collection after watching this video.🤣

[@SixEightWoodworks]

😁 I appreciate that so much! Thanks for your kind words and have some fun with sawdust!

[@celticcraps]

Man. I had no idea juat how much work goes into making a bowl. Really impressive. Great work. Great video. Thank you for taking the time to share.

[@livingthelava]

Hey, I have to tell you, you are a great teacher. I watch a lot of diy, and you are astonishingly good. Thanks for these video.

[@steveraymond7277]

The most simple and precise directions EVER. Thank you

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Much appreciated!

[@ArtisansAndArthropods]

Great video! Loving all the different styles.

[@wttdashb2]

You do an excellent job on your videos. Thanks for sharing

[@alfonso620]

Your explanations are phenomenal!!! Everything seems very simple, but it is not so. To do certain things you need talent. Congratulations. I continue to follow you with more and more interest. I always learn something new. Thank you

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thank you so much!

[@horatiobeaker]

Absolutely great video. Thanks for the class. The extensive list of links are greatly appreciated.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Really appreciate it.

[@neilllester9226]

I’ve been doing woodworking and movie construction for about 4 years, and this is hands down one of the best KZbin woodworking videos I’ve ever seen!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that!

[@garylewis6277]

Hi. Thanks for all your truly inspiring videos. Keep up the great work.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

I really appreciate it! Thanks!

[@streametal]

💯

[@garylewis6277]

I’ve watched your whisky barrels to chopping board video a few times since which I bought for 54gallon barrels I’ve broken them down to staves and cut out the central belly bit of each Steve so far. All down to watching the said video

[@michaeldawes2152]

Another excellent tutorial I always learn new stuff I can try out - really looking forward to the cnc video, bring it on!

[@streametal]

💯

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Appreciate it!

[@johnklein4558]

Very good video explaining each step. Thank you.

[@giansala7409]

From Italy : very nice ! Bravo !

[@Rennrogue]

Just discovered your channel. Looking forward to watching a lot more of your content!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Much appreciated!

[@Chazbridge]

GREAT TUTORIAL!! I’m going to give it a whirl soon!!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thank you so much! Have a blast.

[@carlomartelli8250]

this is one of the best demo i have seen , thanks mate .

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Really appreciated!

[@ronbaker1280]

Great video! Such honesty!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thank you

[@ezza88ster]

Really inspiring. Love your teaching style. Subbed.

[@PeriodWoodworker]

Notwithstanding that backwards ball cap (high school is over) your video was very good. Thanks for sharing, Steve.

[@quirkygreece]

I'm just discovering how powerful routers are and this video was really useful for me - thanks.

[@KitoMarchetaria]

Thank’s 4 sharing !!! 👏👏👏

[@DuxDucis77]

Amazing video. Thanks for the ideas and the links. Great stuff.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Really appreciate it!

[@streametal]

💯

[@roseroth9510]

Love your bible verses and different items around your shop! Brings a smile to my face and you always bring on the knowledge that has been so helpful! God Bless!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Appreciate it! Important reminders for me.

[@markduggan3451]

They look really great.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Really appreciate that!

[@EsanyeGeorge-bb6ch]

Great video, well done 👍🏿

[@joshk7105]

I'd never heard of a pneumatic sander before. Fun tool! :D

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Appreciate it! 😁

[@JimmyLee0757]

I really enjoyed this video. I've been wanting to make some bowls an this would be one way to do without all the bells and whistles for bowl making. Thanks for sharing.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Appreciate it. Sure is fun to do something a little differently.

[@paulipuhakka8788]

Finally!!!! Someone who actually explains things in a way that makes it easier to make templates 👍👍👍 Let the games begin! Sure wish I could send you some beers for your time! Will these do? 🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻👍 Cheers, and thanks again👍 😎

[@rickmiddleton6588]

Awesome video - thank you for providing such great information in an easy way to understand manner.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Glad to hear it helped!

[@pnwgrown_360]

I like how many ways you show how to do a process really game changing thanks bro

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Appreciate it!

[@studlyggg]

Thanks for this! Great tips!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Really appreciate it!

[@mactunnicliffe50]

Thanks for the tips. They really helped me!!

[@nelsonw2096]

Gosh I always learn a lot from you. Much appreciated!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thank you so much!

[@papascruffy]

Nice work!

[@kathrynnewton8721]

Hey Micah! Just figured it out! Great love it and your excellent work!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thank you!

[@adamcharlottelotan4558]

1. Impressive channel indeed! 2. Excellent & clear tuition! 3. Touching & inspiring verse on your t-shirt! We wish all of your viewers will adopt & internalize the message...

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Appreciate it! That’s my hope too. Channel name and try to incorporate where I can through the channels and content.

[@luisfernandomendez3029]

Soy de costa rica y soy evanista por muchos años todo lo que sea relacionado con el arte de la madera me gusta ver cosas muy interesantes

[@charliehorse1967]

Very well explained. Much better than some guys who just hawk tools. Subscribed.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Appreciate it!

[@beckyjohnson3153]

Beautiful work.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Much appreciated!

[@user-nb2hs7or6o]

تبارك الرحمن تسلم ايدك. ربي يحفظك ويرعاك. أحسنت الصنع رائع جدا

[@TopshelfEnglish]

Nice job of covering a lot of options at every stage!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Really appreciate that! I try and include everything I can.

[@streametal]

💯

[@DaveEbert]

really enjoy your videos great learning curve for me

[@robgepford1547]

Thank you for sharing Love the shirt.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thanks!

[@josephcraft2845]

Those are some really nice trays

[@ByronWoodCarver]

Great stuff .. Thanks for sharing..definitely learnt a lot..cheers

[@davidabell9980]

Awsome information. Very well done. Thanks

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thanks!

[@leroymontano9080]

Hello from utah ,i want to thank you ,im a beginner carver and this router idea will make me some nice products 😊 thanks for opening my mind ,i have a few power carving tools including my awsome ball sphere ,thanks.

[@odlaaleuz6415]

Great video. Thank you.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thank you!

[@thomaschandler4831]

Beautiful work brother 🏆

[@davmarsaa7026]

Excellent discussion and tutorial. Allowing us to skip steps (if we know what's going on) is "rad" (that's what we used to say back in the day). I'll be perusing more of your vids!

[@viejitaaa]

Thank you so much!!

[@AlaskaWorkshop]

Great video, that tired and true finish looks fantastic....Go Hawks.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thanks! Go Hawks!

[@welovechoccy]

In your video above, at time stamp 13:14, we can see you utilising a router guide plate made from acrylic/plexiglass. It would be great to see you make a short video showing how you made this, and the advantages of such. I know loads of people who would love to watch it. And I'd be able to link people to your video instead of trying to find a way to describe it. I reckon you'd get loads of views! Love your videos. Well done 🙂

[@sigguy1361]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpu6mnRoi8yVnNU At about 13 min in he goes over making the templates.

[@ehabelshami2687]

you are perfect . by my language , أنت مبدع

[@EduardoTorresDeMadera]

This was a great video with ton of tips. I visited your website and all pieces are awesome. It looks everything is going well since almost most the pieces are sold out. Great for you. Thanks for sharing your workflow since 100% of what you brought is high value. Keep up the good work and greetings from the Caribbean.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thank you! Hope it helps.

[@woodsniffer]

fantastic thanks for posting true innovator.

[@beyondthis7]

Love the T Shirt... Nice work, and great looking product.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thank you!

[@rodolfomoraes3348]

Parabéns!! Ficou muito lindos!! 👍👏👏👏👏

[@SixEightWoodworks]

🙏🙏

[@streametal]

💯

[@Gary-lc7sj]

Nice work man !I wish I could make them.

[@vochaalloy33]

Well done sir. Keep up the good work

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thank you!

[@kathrynnewton8721]

This is brilliant! So informative! Yes I also wish there was a way to save some of the wood - a separate base? Think I’m commenting on the wrong video though😅

[@dandagaiola4750]

Muito legal seu trabalho parabéns 👍 👍 👍 👍

[@brentmcbride793]

Like your videos, great ideas

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Really appreciate it!

[@treppenstore8888]

Coole Projekte Viele Grüße aus Hamburg

[@HillyBillyWoodworks]

Great job I joy watching

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thank you!

[@kathrynnewton8721]

I have a rectangular piece I’ve laminated and would like to hollow it out, thank you so much!

[@user-lr8gx9ny7s]

EXCELENTE TRABALHO; LINDAS PEÇAS: GRATO!

[@twenty-fivepercent4]

Thank you, brother! Glory to Him!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Amen!

[@leilaleila1896]

عمل جيد وممتاز واصل شكرا.

[@shawneggsware9672]

I love your Tshirt!!!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thanks!

[@katherynlamarche7308]

That was just fantastic. thank you so much.I will be doing some of that very soon. Julien Lamarche.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Have fun!

[@davidsettles5706]

Really, really great video. First time I'm run into one with my 3962t band saw.(well close)

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Great little unit!

[@kengiesbrecht8567]

Great T shirt beautiful work

[@timelessroyalestudio]

Nice job mate I live your T shirt God bless

[@farmerinthedell7]

I love that you give options on making products! Do you ever get tear out from the router? If so what do you recommend to prevent this?

[@SixEightWoodworks]

For sure. Small “bites” with incremental depth is the best way to avoid it. Some species are more prone to tear out too. But inevitably I have to patch with some CA glue or do extra sanding/shaping.

[@shahabnasiri1893]

بسیار زیبا 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@alexon2010]

I'm manufacturing my CNC Router, I want to produce beautiful pieces like these... congratulations, the pieces are really beautiful.....

[@johngunning2123]

Wow! That is a seriously good video but I'm going to have to watch it a few times.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Appreciate it!

[@ALMORACEL1]

Big like ❤

[@ACKSWOODPASTE]

You left out one of the best options for sanding and a great finishing wax...Acks Wood Pastes LLC is number one in the USA! Do not have to sand over 320, the abrasive paste on a small drill buffer will sand and seal, then we add the most carnuba wax possible, NO varnishes and have to wait till it cures. We were just featured by the gang at This Old House magazine finishing a table top and using both. 50 years of TV cant be all wrong...beautiful trays and bowls your making!!

[@jaysam41]

Thanks, another great video. Go Kraken!

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thanks! Go Kraken!

[@subramaniamkmathvan3661]

Wow, 1st time. Exceptional idea. I mean creative.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Thanks!

[@beneditoalvesdasilva]

Peças muito bem feitas e lindas parabéns, 👋👋👋👋Vc ai tem aceso a ferramentas boas mais fácil aqui são muito caras. abraço.

[@woodsniffer]

And I really like the tried and true good choice

[@AngieWilliamsDesigns]

Great information. I've been subscribed before but for some reason I haven't seen any of your videos pop up. Will have to go check things out.

[@cherrylicious8772]

hi there, i randomly saw this vid on the side of my page there.. and thought mm whats this?.. all i call see was wood and patterns. i was pleasantly surprised. i wish i could do that. but.. my hands.. sigh. but now i want to buy ur products. i am about to check out your link. thanks for sharing. also nice to see some money goes to some charities. lovely. :) by for now, from Australia. :)

[@amirgharavi1581]

nice

[@donovanrcraig]

To conserve material you could use your band saw to create veneers, then jigsaw out the middle. Then laminate the pieces together and finish with a flush trim bit. This would eliminate the hogging out step with the drill press and save a ton of time and material. Ultimately this is a different process and therefore will yield a slightly different end result.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

For sure. So many more options and possibilities.

[@Kabolin.]

🔥🔥🔥👍

[@mcarcox]

Meraviglioso

[@Dmitry_Kon]

Круто! Не все понятно, но почерпнул много нового.

[@tcbridges]

Great site .Learned a lot thank you.When you do your glue ups how thick you make your blanks. On YT it looks like 3" think. Is 2" a good thicknell or to thin

[@MrZeedine]

you are exceedingly skilled. I have copied you and sell here in Thailand. thank you for your advice... i am an old English guy. I JUST RECEIVED AN ORDER FOR 10 OF YOUR PIECES.,to be delivered to a 5 star hotel in Bangkok.due to the average wage of $16 for 8 hours work i can only sell at a very modest price, but thank you.

[@SixEightWoodworks]

That’s great to hear!

[@leecook7672]

I was also wondering, about the plexiglass that you use on your router. did you center or offset the router?

[@deetee1763]

Been enjoying your stuff on Instagram for a while. Do you have any suggestions for how to track your time and charge accordingly on projects like this? How do you value your time appropriately while keeping the bowls affordable?

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Some use formulas. I’ve used some in the past. There are just so many variables based on your shop, tools, experience, woods, region, and margins. I plan to have a video a little more sales oriented on different pieces sometime in the Fall. But ultimately I always say to not undervalue your work. But again, variables.

[@MG6Makes1776]

time to try out CNC!

[@wandymx9778]

💖💖👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍 Braavvooo pak kesan kayu yang memukau 👏👏👏💗💗💗💗💗👍👍 salam sukses untuk anda💖

[@rolands4175]

👌

[@SixEightWoodworks]

Appreciate it!

[@unclejimthetank]

You had me at 'its kinda sketch but sometimes we do sketch things'

[@SixEightWoodworks]

😁😁😁