W hen looking for ideas for new woodworking projects, Tom is often inspired by construction details he spots on everyday objects from the past. In this case, he drew up a plan for a serving tray that relies on the same sturdy joinery found on wood boxes from a century or more ago. Tom likes the box joint because it triples the surface area-and holding power-of a plain butt joint, but it's much simpler than its fancier sibling, the dovetail. "It's kind of cool because it doesn't hide anything-it shows off the entire joint," Kevin says, checking out the old milk crate that was Tom's inspiration.
Tom made this serving tray from 12-inch-thick walnut, but you could use any wood you like. Before building the tray, you'll need to make a table-saw sled and a custom jig to help space out the identical cuts that make the box joints fit snugly together. You'll also need a template for the handled sides.
Once the tray is complete, you'll want to sand the joints flush and ease the edges along the sides. After that, there are lots of finish options to protect the wood; Tom used mineral oil, but any food-safe wax or oil will work. Many food-safe oil finishes include beeswax, which gives the oil more body, extends the time between applications, and adds a nice floral aroma to the finish. For a more durable, long-lasting finish, you could use a drying oil, such as tung oil, as long as it doesn't contain any harmful additives and is labeled nontoxic.
MATERIALS
1x8 pine, 72 inches long 12×8 walnut, 72 inches long 3/4x4 plywood, 14 inches long 2×4 scrap, 4 inches long CA glue (a.k.a. superglue) wood glue four 2-inch No. 8 wood screws mineral oil or another food-safe oil
TOOLS
この記事は This Old House Magazine の Fall 2022 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は This Old House Magazine の Fall 2022 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Mobile kitchen island
TOH DIY expert Jenn Largesse shows how to build a rolling kitchen cart with a butcher-block top
Bathtub tray
TOH general contractor Tom Silva and TOH host Kevin O'Connor construct a slatted zebrawood caddy to hold grooming essentials, a book, and even a glass of wine, for those who like a long soak
Navigating the rise in mortgage rates
Looking to buy—or refinance—and feeling frustrated by lenders’ sky-high interest rates? Here’s how to get the best deal
Graceful grasses
With dramatic foliage and distinctive plumes, ornamental grasses come in sizes to suit virtually any garden
A better asphalt driveway
It's long-lasting and recyclable, and it weathers extreme temperatures. You can repair small cracks and divots in asphalt, too. Here's what you need to know to get-and maintain-a great-looking asphalt driveway
Modernizing a mid-century house
A family turns to TOH to renovate a 1960 house that had been awkwardly expanded over time. Their goal: to create a contemporary, energy-efficient, open-plan home that is fully accessible for a son with mobility issues
Making a house her own
Renovating in stages over nearly two decades, a homeowner transforms a once forlorn bungalow into a cozy, very personal space
A little house that lives large
A reimagined interior and second-story addition double the living area inside a narrow shotgun house, while respecting its historical roots
Before & After: Bath Fit for a Queen Anne
Classic meets modern in this primary-suite retreat
Before & After: Kitchen Moving a wall makes it work
Grabbing a few feet from the adjacent dining room yields major layout improvements
