If there are two things I’m a sucker for, it’s geometric wood art and odd shaped things. Even better, I love projects that can be completed with three tools or less (and I know you guys do too)! So, today I’m sharing an early Mother’s Day gift that can be made with a miter saw, nailer, and sander – a DIY Hexagon Serving Tray. Even cooler, I partnered with my amazing friends at DAP Products to share this fun project and a video tutorial today!

How To Build A Hexagon Shaped Serving Tray

This project is sponsored by DAP Products.

Want to see this build in action? Check out the YouTube tutorial and make sure to subscribe to my channel!

A while back, I saw a Nate Berkus serving tray that matched my Geometric Wood Table. However, I totally missed the boat on buying it, and had serious FOMO. So, with Mother’s Day around the corner, I decided I wanted to make my own version of his tray to gift to my mom (since she loves my table so much) and couldn’t have done it without some of my favorite products from DAP.

I love how rustic, yet clean the design of this tray is, and when not in use, it can totally be used as a centerpiece for her kitchen island. Either way, this project was a no brainer. So, let’s get started!

What You’ll Need:

Tools
Miter Saw
Pin Nailer
Sander
DAP Rapid Fuse All Purpose Adhesive
DAP Carpenter’s Wood Glue
Measuring Tape
Straight Edge
Safety Goggles

Materials
(1) 2×2 Sheet 1/2″ Plywood
(2) 1 x 2 x 6′ Board
(1) 1 x 4 x 6′ Board
1″ Pin Nails
White Wood Stain
Dark Walnut Danish Oil

The Steps:

1. Measure and cut your hexagon. There are two methods for this!

Option 1: Measure the center point of your board and add 4″ to each side, making an 8″ side. Then bring that piece to the miter saw and cut it at 30″ making 8″ passes each time (you can see this technique in my YouTube video).

Option 2: Use my DIY Hexagon Tray template – just print it in sections on a program like Photoshop (or try a free alternative) and tape it to your plywood in sections.

2. After cutting out the hexagon, use a straight edge to find the centerline of the board.

3. Cut your 1×2 boards into strips that will fit over the width of the hexagon board. Make sure to make them longer than they need to be because you’ll be cutting them again later.

4. Cut a scrap piece of wood into a 45 degree template. You will use this to map your serving tray’s design.

5. Use the 45 degree piece to continue your design across the boards. I started by marking the center of each board and then spreading out the design. I then continued the pattern by marking the next row at 2″ in from the design above.

6. After marking the design, label the pieces to avoid misplacing anything after the cuts are made.

7. Next, use your miter saw at 45 degrees to cut your pieces.

8. Once your pieces are cut, sand them all down (I had to transfer my labels to the backside here so that I didn’t sand off the labels).

9. Once sanded, stain your pieces. I used a dark walnut stain for the outer pieces and a white stain for the inner design.

10. After your pieces have dried, attach them using a quick dry adhesive such as DAP Rapid Fuse & pin nails.

Pro Tip: Don’t add the top and bottom pieces just yet. You will need a straight edge available to trim the board!

11. Before adding the top and bottom pieces, take the design you have to the miter saw, flip it over, and then trim the overhang using the miter saw at 30 degrees.

12. After trimming the board, add the last two pieces with your DAP Rapid Fuse quick dry adhesive and pin nails. Then, trim them on the miter saw.

13. After trimming the board, add the frames by cutting them using 30 degree miter cuts. You will want the short side of the frame pieces to be 8″ long. If you’re having trouble measuring this out, make one cut at 30 degrees first and then line it up with the tray and cut it to size.

14. Use Carpenter’s Wood Glue and pin nails to attach the frame pieces together and to the serving tray.

15. Use a sander to sand down the frame. If there are any gaps from the miter cuts, you can use wood filler to fix them!

16. Once assembled, stain your frame.

That’s it!

The geometric tray I made may not be perfect, but I feel like that’s the beauty of it! It’s organic, but clean. Even better, it made my mom so happy, and that’s all that matters in the end!

What do you think of this project? Want to save it for later? Make sure to Pin It!