Deck Rail-Mounted Serving Tray

Find or cut a piece of 3/4-inch-thick stock about 4 inches long for use as a spacer. Glue and clamp a tray side (A) to a slat support (B) with the ends flush and a 1-3/4-inch gap between the top of the slat support and the top of the bracket support. (The spacer provides the correct offset without measuring.) Repeat for the other side and slat support.

Glue and clamp a bracket support (C) centered on a slat support (B) with the face of the bracket support flush with the edge of the slat support. (There should be 3/8-inch gaps between the ends of the bracket support and ends of the slat support.) Repeat for the other slat support and bracket support to complete the second side assembly.

Cut the tray front and back (D) to length, sand smooth, and wipe clean. Glue and clamp the front and back to the two side assemblies (ABC) with the top edges flush.

Measure between the sides and cut the three bottom slats (E) to length (Deck Tray Project Diagram, Drawing 2). Sand the top faces smooth and wipe clean. Glue and clamp one outside slat to the tray with the slat edge even with the ends of the bracket supports. (The tray is shown upside down here.) Repeat for the opposite side, leaving a space in the center.

Glue and clamp the middle slat centered between the outside slats.

Glue and clamp the third slat support (B) centered between the end supports. (Shown here upside down with clamps removed for clarity.)