Follow this step-by-step guide to construct the tray:

• Mark all the holes to be drilled and roundings to be cut on the long sides.
• Use a 16mm spade bit in a drill press to carefully drill the four 16mm holes (see graphic 1).
• Drill four 25mm holes and then open each of them out with a saw to make a round-ended slot. This will allow the legs to fold underneath the table.
• Use a 10mm spade bit to drill the four 10mm holes to a depth of 12mm to take the 'end stops'.
• Drill the pilot holes on the centre line where the cross members are to be attached, using a countersink set.
• Round the corners with a bandsaw.
• Mark the holes to be drilled in the four legs.
• Use a 16mm spade bit to drill one hole. per leg to a depth of 13mm. Then use a 20mm spade bit to drill the other hole to a depth of exactly 13mm.
• Round the corners, using a bandsaw.
• Sand all parts to a smooth finish.

The general layout of the components.

• Race the cross members in position and deepen the pilot holes to a depth of 35mm.
• Remove all dust and shavings, apply glue to the cross member ends and place them into position.
• Insert the screws and tighten, whilst checking the frame is square and flat.
• Apply glue to the 6mm strips and affix them with 10mm panel pins in the centre around the inside of the frame.
• Remove any excess glue with a damp cloth.
• Fit the tray into position and allow the frame to dry.
• When dry, remove the tray and apply glue to the topside of the strips and place the tray in position again.
• Check that the 16mm dowels pass easily through the holes in the frame sides. If necessary, enlarge the holes slightly by filing or sanding.
• Apply glue into the holes of the legs.
• Insert the 16mm dowels through the holes of the frame before attaching the legs simultaneously to both dowels.
• Apply glue into the stopper holes and insert the 10mm dowels.
• Race the table on a flat surface and check that it stands firmly on all four legs.
• Remove any excess glue and allow it to dry.

Click on the image for full sketches

Finishing touches

• Apply wood filler where necessary and allow it to dry.
• Sand the breakfast table with 100-grit and then with 150-grit sandpaper to obtain a smooth finish.
• Apply two coats of sanding sealer and let them dry.
• When the sanding sealer has dried, sand the tray lightly with some used 150-grit sandpaper, before applying one or two coats of clear lacquer.