Use Your Router And Our Templates To Make Serving Trays Of Lasting Distinction
Make beautiful serving trays with your router and our tray templates. By gluing-up your scrap stock (2" thick seems to work best) and using different species of wood you can make truly beautiful serving trays. Use this star-shaped template to make chip & dip, cheese & cracker and even candy trays. All of these trays look good enough to display on your kitched table full-time but don't be surprised if your friends ask you to make a tray for them!
We C.N.C. machine the 1/2" thick MDF templates for precision and pre-drill and countersink mounting holes to make attaching to your work piece fast and easy, no double-sided tape required! We recommend using our large Acrylic router base, item: 115-032 for extra support when routing the trays. We also carry a natural food-safe Finish and Tung Oil which really makes your trays stand out. These food safe finishes are FDA approved to use on any project that is intended for food contact. Detailed step-by-step instructions included.
Infinity Tool’s exclusive tray-making templates take the head-scratching out of creating all of these beautiful themed party trays.
With just a few accessories, and tools you already own, you can make custom trays for any occasion.
To show you the simple steps, we’ll make this all-occasion chip-and-dip tray.
We started with 2” x 2” maple and cherry strips, and our template. Lay out the most attractive pattern for the pieces, then use the template to locate the tray shape to check the look. Brush glue onto both of the mating faces and stack the pieces together.
Add a decent number of clamps, and then be sure to clean up any extra glue squeeze out to save your planer knives.
Once the blank is dry, pass it through your planer to level the top and bottom surfaces. Take the least number of passes possible to level the surfaces, leaving more room for candy!
Use the template to trace the interior shape onto the blank, orienting it to your liking. Make the lines dark, so they won’t get lost when the chips start to fly.
Use a large forstner bit to remove most of the waste material at your drill press. Don’t drill to the full depth. Your router bit will clean up the bottom. This greatly speeds up the process and will relieve unneeded stress on your router bit.
Attach the template to your blank using the provided corner holes and route away the remaining wood with a piloted bowl bit. We used two sizes, the smaller to begin the clean up, then the larger with a collet extension to clean up the bottom. Take your time and be sure to get into the corners to make gentle edges on the interior of the tray.
With the interior defined, trace an exterior cut line to establish the outside edge of your finished tray. This will determine the thickness of the tray walls, so proportion is important. We used coins to help with the shape at the neck of the tray.
At the bandsaw, cut close to your line, but make sure to stay wide, or outside of the line, so you don’t change the shape. To get into tight corners, it’s often easier to cut kerfs into the wood and then cut those away.
We used a random orbit sander to fair the curves. We followed up with sheet sandpaper to get into the tight parts. Work through your sanding grits to make everything smooth and even.
We used a ¼” roundover bit at the router table to ease all the edges of the tray. Don’t forget to do the bottom edge to keep sharp edges at bay.
Once complete, apply your favorite food-grade finish. Here we’re using Odie’s Oil, to give our tray a rich, in-the-wood oiled appearance.
Tray making is a fun way to create a great gift for you or a friend, and use up that valuable scrap wood you’ve been collecting. In the process, you’ll manage to use almost every tool in the shop. And isn’t that what it’s all about?
When it comes to crafting beautiful wooden trays using tray templates, we highly recommend investing in a few key products to ensure a seamless process.
With the right tools and materials, you’ll be well on your way to creating stunning, functional wooden trays!
* Our exclusive Money Saving Sets already come included with:
Our exclusive templates make it easier than ever to create beautiful, functional pieces that cater to every celebration, from cozy holidays to everyday use!
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Leave Your Mark
Our custom branding irons are the perfect solution for crafters who want to add a personal touch to their creations. Here’s why you should invest in one:
Professional Appeal: A branded tray not only enhances its aesthetic but also elevates your work to a professional level. Your mark speaks volumes about the quality and craftsmanship behind each piece.
Build Your Brand: Consistent branding helps establish your identity in a crowded market. A recognizable maker's mark fosters trust and loyalty among customers, making them more likely to return for future purchases.
Versatility: Whether you’re crafting trays for gifts, personal use, or to sell, our branding irons are perfect for any occasion. They allow you to customize your work and create a lasting impression.
Easy to Use: Our branding irons are designed for simplicity. Just heat, press, and leave your mark! It’s a quick and effective way to enhance your items without complicated processes.
Unique Personalization: Stand out from the competition by adding a personalized touch. Whether you choose text, an image, or a combination of both, your branding iron will make your trays truly one-of-a-kind.
You can incorporate your maker's mark by branding it directly onto the tray's surface, perhaps in a corner or as part of a design. Alternatively, consider using it on labels or tags attached to your trays for a professional finish. Delve into different placement options to find the ultimate look that complements your work!
Don’t just create; leave your legacy! Invest in a custom branding iron today and watch your craftsmanship shine like never before. Your trays deserve that final touch—your mark!