Make a serving tray from recycled wood

Just in time for Mother’s Day, you can make this serving tray in an afternoon.

Several years ago I designed a few logos, labels, and packaging art for some local vineyards and wineries. I collected a few wine crates that wound up in my shop. I’ve used them for storing car cleaning supplies and electrical/computer cables and wires.

Funny how we often never give a second thought to something disposable like a wine crate. After building my last few pallet projects,    I started looking at those old boxes in a new light! Not only free wood, but wood with character!

Wine Pairing

The base of this tray is made from two of the crate’s side panels. I still have the other sides and the bottom saved for another project. I wanted the sides to be half-inch thick, to keep the tray from looking bulky, so I scrounged around in my shop and found a redwood board that was the perfect length. I like the idea of pairing a Northern California tree species with a Northern California wine.

Options to fit your woodworking

This is a flexible project that you can make using any tools and materials you happen to have. A few options:

• This would make a great pallet wood project.
• The base can be made with a scrap of plywood.
• You can cut the curved sides with a jigsaw.
• Cut out the finger holes with a coping saw.
• Use an inexpensive miter box and a hand saw to make the miters, or…
• Don’t bother with the miters: just butt the sides together with glue and nails.
• Instead of making a groove for the bottom, just glue it underneath the sides.

Plans

*****