Build a DIY Drink Tray

Serve drinks in style this season with this easy-to-assemble tray. The simple wood dowel “cleats” hold the base of the tray firmly in place while the square-cut corners create strong, reliable joints. With the addition of a stencil pattern, this quickly becomes an eye-catching way to serve guests in style.

Steps

1. Cut the Parts

Using a miter saw and the cut list above, cut the 1×3 pieces and square dowels to size. Mark cut lines on the face of the plywood using a framing square. Place painter’s tape over the cut lines, and then mark them again–this will keep the plywood from splintering as you cut. Cut along the lines using a circular saw. Lightly sand the cut edges of all the parts to remove burrs.

TIP: Get straighter cuts with your circular saw using our simple DIY Cutting Fence Tutorial.

2. Attach the First Set of Cleats

Position a 16½-inch cleat on a 16 ½-inch-long side flush with its bottom edge and ends. Apply a bead of wood glue to the cleat, reposition it on the 1×3, and then nail it in place using a pneumatic nail gun. Repeat this process to assemble the remaining short side of the tray.

3. Assemble the Remaining Sides

Position one of the remaining cleats on an 18-inch-long side flush with its bottom edge and centered on its length. This should create an 1½ inset on each end. Mark the ends of the cleat with a pencil. Remove the cleats, apply a bead of wood glue, and then reposition them. Secure the cleats in place using a pneumatic nail gun.

4. Dryfit the Sides

Set all the sides upright so that the cleats run along their bottom edge. Set the shorter sides inside the longer sides.

5. Position the Joints

When correctly assembled, the short sides should set into the inset on the long sides as shown.  Separate the joints and apply wood glue to the ends of the short sides. Nail through the long sides and into the ends of the short sides to secure the pieces.

6. Install the Plywood

Apply a bead of wood glue to the top edge of each cleat. Position the plywood inside the frame on the cleats.

Tip: If you’re staining or stenciling the tray like we did, we found it easier to finish the parts before installing the plywood piece.

7. Attach the Handles

Center the handles on the outside of the short sides of the tray. Apply wood glue, and then nail them in place. Decorative hardware like bin pulls could also be substituted. Fill the nail holes with wood filler, sand the pieces and apply stain. Finish with a coat of polyurethane.

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