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This is a classic serving tray: a 1x12 bottom, 1x4 sides shaped with cut-out hand grips, 1x2 ends, and two 3/4" dowels that act as real handles you wrap your fingers around. It's a quick scrap project — a couple of feet of 1x12 and a length of 1x4 — and it makes a dependable, useful gift.
The only shaped work is the handle grips on the side boards. Transfer the grip pattern to the ends of both 1x4 sides, drill the 3/4" dowel holes (put a scrap block under the board so the drill bit doesn't blow out tear-out on the back face), then jigsaw the grip openings and sand them smooth. Do both sides at once so they match.
The assembly has one moment worth slowing down for: gluing the dowels. Dry-fit the whole tray first. Then glue the dowels into the side-board holes, and while that glue is still workable, glue and nail the sides to the bottom — this lets you square everything up before anything sets. A useful trick from the source: wipe excess glue after it's had 15–20 minutes to firm to a rubbery state, when it peels off cleanly instead of smearing. The source listed no tools, so this build infers them from the steps.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 1x12, 2 ft (scrap)Tray bottom. | 1 each |
| 1x4, 6 ftSides. | 1 each |
| 1x2, 2 ft (scrap)Ends. | 1 each |
| Wood dowel, 3/4 in, 26 inCut to two 13" handles. | 1 each |
| Brad nails, 1-1/4 in | 1 box |
| Wood glue | 1 bottle |
| Finish (food-safe if used for food)Optional. | 1 each |
Overall cost: $. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L |
|---|---|---|
| Tray bottom (A)1x12 | 1 | 3/4" × 11 1/2" × 21" |
| Sides (B)1x4Handle grip cut into each end; 3/4" dowel holes drilled per pattern. | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 27" |
| Ends (C)1x2 | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 11 1/2" |
| Handle dowels (D)3/4 in dowel | 2 | 3/4" × 3/4" × 13" |
Buy 4 boards at 8 ft.
1 board
1 board
1 board
1 board
Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →
Transfer the handle pattern to the ends of both side boards (B). Drill the 3/4" dowel holes — put a piece of scrap wood under the board so the bit doesn't tear out the back face. Cut the grip openings to shape with a jigsaw, then sand the cut edges smooth. Do both sides together so they match.
Attach the end boards (C) to the tray bottom (A) with glue and 1-1/4" nails, keeping the edges flush. This starts the tray box.
Dry-fit everything first to confirm the fit. Then glue the dowels (D) into the holes in the side boards (B), and while the glue is still workable, glue and nail the sides to the bottom (A) — attaching the dowels first, then the sides, lets you square and flatten everything before the glue sets. Clamps help. Wipe excess glue after it's firmed for 15–20 minutes to a rubbery state, when it peels off cleanly. Sand and finish (use a food-safe finish if it'll carry food).
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