There’s a mug born every minute

Let’s face it, morning is not my best time… as, unlike during the rest of the day, I am pretty dozy. I have no idea where I am going, when I get there I have no idea where I am or what I was supposed to do, having done it I have no idea what I have just done, and upon returning to my nuptial pit, have no idea where I have been.Well that doesn’t last long. Within a microsecond, I know exactly where I was, what I did – and what I have done! “I’ve just had the carpets done and you’ve left a trail of coffee down the passage!” (This is expressed in… how can I explain it? ‘Strident tones’. Got the idea?)

Anyway, I decided to make at least some sort of ‘dam’ so that any spills could be contained – and that meant lugging the morning fix through on a tray. The problem is, all our trays are pretty big, and quite shallow, so there was a good chance of banging into something, like the walls, and dropping the whole shebang.

Hence, this tray…

DIFFICULTY: Beginner
ESTIMATED TIME: Four hours
COST: /- R 90.00 (if you have handles then R 60.00 or so)

MATERIALS:

• Masonite: 3 x 240 x 160mm
• Two handles and screws
• Edging (I used a length of L-profile moulding (the most expensive item – about R45 for a 1,8m length, the shortest available)
• Wood glue and the finish of your choice – I chose a satin sheen water-based paint.

Step 1:

Measure the base, 240 x 160 gives you room for a maximum of four mugs, or two plus a peace offering – a small bowl of shortbread.

Step 2:

Cut the Masonite to size

Step 3:

Check the size. As you can see in the pictures, three mugs are easily accommodated.

Step 4:

Start cutting the sides

Step 5:

The ends are mitred – note the use of the clamp to keep fingers well out of the way of the blade.

Step 6:

Dry-fit the sides and when satisfied…

Step 7:

…apply glue to all the edges…

Step 8:

…and clamp.

Step 9:

I used a small can of paint on which I balanced a 5-litre can to hold the base firmly against the sides; this also ensured that the tray was exactly flat.

Step 10:

Before painting, I aligned the handles and marked the positions of the holes for the attachment screws.

Step 11:

Use an awl to make the center point of each hole.

Step 12:

When drilling the holes, make sure they are exactly perpendicular; a drill press is a great helper in these cases.

Step 13:

Paint the tray and allow it to dry; sand lightly and apply a second coat; attach the handles only once the painting is completed.