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Easy DIY Circular Serving Tray
Looking for a beginner-friendly woodworking project? Then this easy DIY circular serving tray is the perfect project for you! The best part is it’s super budget savvy to make.
I see you, you with the itch to make something amazing but not quite sure where to start. Maybe you don’t have all the fancy tools yet but you are ready to start creating! If that sounds like you then you have come to the right place! If you do have the fancy tools but just want a cool project then this is the right place for you too, don’t worry.
Lately, I have been getting lots of questions from yall about what a good beginner woodworking project would be, well this is it! I have been seeing these beautiful circular serving trays everywhere & have been wanting one so badly, but not $50 badly. So I decided to just DIY my own, using tools you can find right at Target!
~This post is part of a paid partnership with Blue Ridge Tools, but like always these opinions are my own! SOME AFFILIATE LINKS MAY BE PROVIDED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, TAKE A PEEK AT OUR PRIVACY & DISCLOSURE POLICIES~
Supplies:
- -(1) 1x4x8
- –Jigsaw
- –Sander
- –Measuring Tape
- –Screwdriver
- -Stain
- -Pencil
- -Twine
Tutorial:
1. Cutting The 1×4
Start by cutting the 1×4 into 5 pieces using the jigsaw. (1)17” (2)16 1/2” (2)13”
2. Attaching Tray Pieces
Attach each piece together using Gorilla Glue. Attach them in this order: 13”/16 ½”/17”/16 ½”/13”. You could also use pocket holes & screws if this tray was going to be used to carry anything super heavy.
3. Clamping The Pieces Together
Use clamps to secure the boards together & also to the table. Make sure they are flush on top, you don’t want the boards to dry uneven. Let the glue dry overnight.
4. Mark The Center
Now measure & mark the center of the 17” board. This should be about 8 ½ inches in.
5. Creating The Circle Jig
Using a battery-powered screwdriver or drill, screw a thin screw into where you just marked the board. This is where you are going to tie one end of your twine. The twine should be half the length of the tray, 8 ½ inches.
6. Drawing The Tray Outline
Attach a pencil to the other end of the twine. Now draw a circle, keeping the pencil perpendicular to the board. This will be the outline we will use to cut it out.
7. Cutting Out The Circle
Using the jigsaw, cut out the circle. It doesn’t need to be perfectly circular yet, better to cut a little outside the lines & finish with the sander.
8. After The Jigsaw
This is how it looked after I got done cutting it with the jigsaw, but don’t worry it will look more circleish soon!
9. Sanding Down The Tray
Using a sander smooth all the edges & sand down any areas that are outside the original lines. Keep the sander moving, if you let it sit in one spot it will create a flat spot & we don’t want that!
10. Staining The Tray
Now it’s time to sand the tray. I used Minwax Gel Stain in Hickory. You can apply the stain with a microfiber cloth or a brush.
11. Attaching The Hardware
Attaching the handles was a breeze using the Blue Ridge battery-powered screwdriver. These simple black handles are from Lowes & the perfect accent to my farmhouse tray.