Walnut Serving Tray

Another fun project created with the technique learned from the book mentioned in my previously posted project “Oak & Marble Spinning Display Stand”:
http://lumberjocks.com/projects/14211

The walnut used on this tray is scrap wood that I gleaned several years ago from a door and window company. It has been in the rafters of my shop gathering dust. You might remember one of my previous posts that was made from the cherry from this same mix matched load of hardwood.
http://lumberjocks.com/projects/5898

This walnut started as sticks approx. 12’ in length and were in sad shape: scabby, knotted, split, and a myriad of widths and thicknesses (none of them very wide). In a whim I took them and began trying to true up the lumber, and edge glued them together, I think there is 16 different pieces in the glue up. I was amazed at what appeared out of the surface planer after a few passes. I would have never imagined that this wonderfully figured wood was hiding in my garage all this time. I truly wished that I would have taken pictures of the lumber before this project started.

The resulting tray is approximately 21” in diameter and is finished first with natural Danish oil, followed by numerous coats of tung oil, lots of buffing, and a couple of buffed coats of wax.

The queen loves this piece and refuses to let me sell it or give it as a gift. Everything else in our humble home is crafted from oak, but she won’t let this tray leave the house even though it matches nothing.

Thanks for letting me share

-- Trevor Premer Head Termite and Servant to the Queen - Heirloom Woodworking