Wooden storage tray

This tray can be made from timber offcuts and is great for storing glasses or keys.

The project

I had some Ash benchtop offcuts from my Mobile workbench on castors project. I decided to make a small tray to keep glasses or keys.

I drew a circle on the timber and used a router to cut out the centre section. It took me about three or four hours using an 18-volt Makita router and a 6mm Carbide Spiral Upcut Router Bit to do and lots of sanding to finish.

I applied one coat of Cabot's Danish oil. When it was dry, I applied my home-made version of wax, which is 50% beeswax, 50% coconut oil and a few drops of vanilla and lavender essence.

More project inspiration

For more great ideas, check out our Top 10 most popular woodworking projects.

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Accepted answers

All comments

hazesnow

@JoeAzza thanks so much for sharing with us all, that looks amazing and what a great way to use the off cuts you have! Might just have to steal that idea if you don’t mind of course! ❤️

mich1972

Oh wow I love it !!

JoeAzza

@hazesnow, thank you, you are quite welcome to make one like mine.

Remarka6le

Looks great! Something like this would see great use as a custom coaster in my home. I'll have to give it a wack 🙂

Tyro

Thanks for that inspiration @JoeAzza

But to a new diy-er please tell me if there is a way to make that without a router?

Cheers 🤗

JoeAzza

Hi @Tyro @the other way would be to use a wood lathe and machine it to the shape, I didn’t have a wood turning lathe, so I made it using a router with a circle jig.

Tyro

Hi again @JoeAzza

The only router I had encountered before now was in a small furniture making business so a benchtop model with all the bells & whistles. But after your reply I looked them up. I was so surprised at the price I've decided to get one, but a bit further down the track. Any suggestions which one? If the option exists, I prefer corded power tools.

Cheers

@Tyro

JoeAzza

Hi @Tyro , there are many choices of routers, low priced and high priced ones, you could start out with a router trimmer, however, it will only handle small router bits, 1/4 inch shaft size, I have router trimmers and normal routers that will take 1/2 inch shaft and 1/4 inch. I have corded Ozito Trimmers x 2, (low priced) for small work, a Makita 18 volt trimmer, (over $300), 3 x 1/2 and 1/4 inch, corded Makita various models, one with variable speed, I use this one mounted to a homemade router table.

You could look at cheaper versions that will do the same work, let me mention @EricL and @MitchellMc that may be able to suggest other routers available, depending on your budget .

Makita Trimmer (corded).

Makita Cordless trimmer, ( This is the one I have)

This is my latest acquisition, I use this one for router planning.

This one is a Variable speed Router that is fitted in my Router table

Ozito Trimmers, I have two of these set up in a router table , I use these for trimming and small routing jobs.

Here are some photos of my routers

Router Table, home made.

Horizontal router table, home made, used for mortising.

My Makita cordless trimmer

Two, corded Ozito trimmers fitted to a table.

Tyro

@JoeAzza your table is simply amazing! My eyes just about popped I saw it (no pun intended!). So-so clever of you! Thank you for your invaluable advice and photos. It looks like I have a whole lot of research to do! In my ignorance I thought the only decision I'd have to make was which brand to go with! 😳

Humble gratitude for your input and wisdom 🙏🏻😉

greysarge

Great work, im old but just a beginner with a router. This will challenge me but im all in.

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