This month I’m continuing with my blog posts on gift-worthy Modern Farmhouse inspired wood creations made out of pallet wood and next on my list is this beautiful pallet wooden tray!
I took inspiration for this tray from Pottery Barn, but I was amazed when I was looking over the their website to find various types of wooden trays, but nothing like this beauty. Although I made this tray as a bath tray for a family member of mine, it is multifunctional as you can use it as a centerpiece on a table for snacks and/or a breakfast-in-bed tray. Give the gift that leaves more to wonder on how it can be used with just pallet wood, spare plywood pieces, 2 metal handles, and brad nails for only $15.
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THE Reclaimed farmhouse tray PLANS
The plans for this tray are shown below. Make sure to share photos of your projects on social media with a link to this post, see social sharing buttons above, to inspire others to build this project for their loved ones, too!
Dimensions
- 11″ x 27.5″ x ~1″
Material List
- 1 reclaimed pallet (multiple boards)
- 3/4 inch brad nails
- Scrap 3/4 inch plywood pieces or 1 x 4’s (ripped to 9/16 inch)
- 80 Grit Sandpaper
- 1 Paintbrush
- 1 Can of Polyurethane
- 2 Metal Handles
Tool List
- Tape Measure
- Speed Square
- Pencil
- Safety Glasses
- Ear Protection
- Miter Saw
- Table Saw
- Brad Nailer
- Power Drill
- Electric Sander
INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Pick your boards
After taking your reclaimed pallet apart, place a bunch of pallet boards together on your workbench, like in the image below, until it matches at least 32″ width. The boards will all need to be at least 10.25″ long.
Step 2: Cut the boards to size
Cut 1/8th of an inch off one side of each of the boards and use a tape measure and speed square to cut each board to 10″ long.
Step 3: Rip the boards to match
You’ll notice in the image above that each pallet board is not the same width. Grab your tape measure and measure the smallest width board out of the bunch. In my case, the smallest board was 4″ in width. Set your table saw rip fence to 4″, or the width of your smallest board, and rip each of the boards to that size.
Step 4: Make attachment boards
To attach the boards, you’ll need either a scrap piece of 1 x 4 board or 3/4th inch plywood. I used some scrap 3/4th inch plywood below. Either way you choose, grab a board at least the length of your tray, and set your table saw rip fence to 9/16 inches. Rip the board to width. Once it’s cut down to the correct width, now it’s onto length! Use the length measurement of your tray and cut it to the correct size using your miter saw.
Step 5: Attach your boards
Brad nail the attachment boards to the pallet boards from the bottom side using 3/4 inch brad nails and a brad nailer.
Step 6: Measure and cut the side accent pieces
Grab your tape measure and measure the height of the table tray. You’ll want to rip down some pallet boards to that height on your table saw to attach those boards to the sides of the tray.
Step 7: Attach the side accent pieces
Using a brad nailer, attach the side accent pieces to the tray using 3/4 inch brad nails.
Step 8: Add finish
Sand your tray with 80 grit sandpaper until butter smooth and add two coats of polyurethane following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Step 9: Add 2 handles
When dry, attach two handles to the tray using a power drill. I bought my handles from Lowe’s; however, here is a link to similar, and cheaper, versions of this handle from Amazon.
And there you have it, a $15 Modern Farmhouse inspired wooden tray! It came out better than I had expected and I can’t wait to give it as a gift to someone special in my life. But one thing’s for sure, whether you’re using it as a bath tray or centerpiece for your table, you can rest assured knowing that this gift will be one that anyone will enjoy!
Be sure to take advantage of my Essential DIY Checklist, which is free for a limited-time, that outlines the top 5 steps you need to take to start creating your DIY projects today. Click to opt-in in the space below:
And if you missed it, here’s a link to my blog post about Modern Farmhouse Inspired Alphabet Coasters.
Thanks for visiting and I’ll see you in the next one, sweet friend!
XOXO, Laura