A tea server (Figs. 25 and 26) is a real asset for the busy housewife during the afternoon tete-a-tete. To construct one requires little skill or expense for materials, especially if whitewood, redwood, white pine, cypress, or other easily worked woods are used.

An easily lifted stand for a tea tray, which can be constructed at small cost.

Fig. 25. - An easily lifted stand for a tea tray, which can be constructed at small cost.

The materials required are: 2 sides ¾ by 2% by 32 in.; 2 leg pieces 2 by 4 by 19 in.; 2 pieces ¾ by 2½ by 24 in., one for the tray rest and the other for the lower brace; 1 piece ¾ by 5 by 26 in. for the handle; 2 pieces ¼ by 5/8 by 12 in. for tray supports; 1 dowel stick ¼ by 24 in.; 1 piece cardboard 4 by 10 in.; glue and small brads.

One pattern serves for laying out all the curves. It is drawn upon a piece of cardboard 4 by 10 in., divided into 1-in. squares as shown near the top of Fig. 26. This basic design can be changed as desired to suit the taste of the worker.

Side and end views of the stand. bottom view of shelf, and pattern for laying out the curves.

Fig. 26. - Side and end views of the stand. bottom view of shelf, and pattern for laying out the curves.

The quickest and easiest way to cut the curves is with a band saw, but good results may be obtained by using a turning saw. All the edges should be rounded with spokeshave, file, and sandpaper - not a great deal on the ends, but sufficiently on the handle to give an easy grip.

The curved feet receive the ends of the legs, which are tapered to serve as tenons. Glue and toenail the joints with 1 ¼-in. brads, driven and countersunk from the inside to avoid marring the surface.

Holes ¼ in. in diameter are now sunk in the ends of the tray shelf and the lower brace and also in the end pieces to receive dowels. The dowels for the lower brace should be placed so that the lower edge of the brace rests on the flat upper surface of the curved foot pieces. The upper dowels are placed so that the tray shelf is 21 in. from the top edge of the feet. The joints are glued, fastened with small brads, and clamped and tested with a square.

The tray may be purchased from any department store. However, one may design and make his own, using medium heavy picture framing for the sides and covering the bottom with glass.

Rubber headed tacks are cut so as to have a flat vertical surface and driven in the tray shelf. These bits of rubber press against the tray ends and hold the tray in place. If you do not wish to remove the tray, it may be placed on the support as the finishing varnish is drying. The varnish will hold the tray firmly.

The piece may be stained any desired color, shellacked, rubbed down, and varnished. Either a velvet finish or high gloss varnish may be used. Lacquer, too, will give a beautiful finish, and a stippled effect also would be distinctive. Tassels may be fastened on the legs.