Here is an interesting idea taken from the TV program The Woodsmith Shop. The plans and instructions can be downloaded from their web site. My wife saw it and though she wanted one so I made this one from a block of Sycamore wood I had. Mine is slightly larger than the original design and is 18” x 7 1/2” x 2”. The internal tray part is 5 1/2” x 12”. The finish is two coats of walnut oil and about 6 coats of salad bowl finish.
Essentially it is made by first using a band saw to cut off about 1/4” to create the bottom, then roughing out the space for the tray with a jig saw and with a template guide cleaning the inside of the tray with a router. Then slice off the top layer to form the curved top and then making a second slice (about 3/8”) to form the top apron. Then trim the remaining part of the tray to size, glue everything back together, sand, and apply the finish.
