A wooden tray is an attractive, useful item. Coffee or tea service can be carried to the table with minimal spillage, and when not in use, it can be propped up on a shelf for all to admire. A tray is a fine gift for a special occasion such as a wedding or anniversary, and it can be adorned with an inscription, carving, drawing or pyrography.
Trays ranging from 6" to 24" in diameter are useful — larger for a tea service and smaller as a cheese board. Although it takes a big lathe to turn a 24" platter, a mini lathe will handle 6" to 10" diameters easily — and if this is your first tray, make it no bigger than 10" so you can get the hang of turning it.
Choosing Tray Lumber
Almost any species of
