How I Make Serving Trays

I wanted to see if I could build a batch of serving trays over the course of a weekend. Watch along to see if I get it done!
Tools I Use:
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Check me out at www.ryandaywoodworking.com

[@tomausburne1769]

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

[@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!

[@jimrosson6702]

Great job they turned out great

[@ryandaywoodworking]

Thanks!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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