How to Build a Tray 18 X 24 X 3 H

Trays are useful tools for serving food to a small group of people or to a large group of people. Small trays can be 2-foot squares, while larger squares can be several feet long. Building a tray that is 18 inches by 24 inches by 3-feet tall is useful for a personal serving tray if you are eating at home while watching television. Building this tray requires only a basic understanding of woodworking and using tools.

Instructions

1

Measure a rectangle on your plywood that is 18 inches long and 24 inches wide. Place your T-square against the wood and draw against it to keep your lines straight.

2

Cut out your rectangle with your circular saw. Sand the edges of the tray to keep them free of splinters. Sand each side of the tray to smooth them down and make them fine to the touch. Sand with fine-grain sandpaper.

3

Measure out four lengths of 3-foot boards on your 2-by-2 boards. Cut these boards out with your saw and sand them down in the same way you sanded your tray top.

4

Apply stain to all the wood pieces of your tray. Let the stain dry for an hour before applying another coat. Apply a third coat after waiting a few more hours. Let it dry for 24 hours before proceeding.

5

Place one of your 2-by-2 boards at the bottom corner of your tray. Attach it to the board using one of the hinges and your drill and screwdriver. Repeat this process on the other three corners to finish your tray.