Ghost Tray Template: Routing a Two-Tone Serving Tray
By Infinity Cutting Tools | Premium Woodworking Tools ... | Published: 2026-11-03
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to use the Infinity Tools Ghost Tray Template to rout a star-shaped two-tone serving tray from scrap stock. Step-by-step routing and gluing advice.
Quick answer
To make a two-tone serving tray with the Ghost Tray Template, glue up contrasting wood species into a blank about 2 inches thick, secure the template, and rout the star shape in shallow passes. The template guides your router to produce a distinctive tray for chips, cheese, or candy.
Why two-tone glue-ups work for this tray
The Ghost Tray Template is designed for blanks made from glued-up scrap stock, ideally around 2 inches thick. Using different wood species creates a visible two-tone effect that makes the star shape stand out. The template itself is star-shaped, so the final tray will have that profile—plan your glue-up so the color contrast falls where you want it.
Because the template relies on your router, the thickness of your blank directly affects how much material you remove and how stable the cut feels. A thicker blank gives the router bit more to register against, but it also means more passes. If you use thinner stock, expect a shallower tray and adjust your routing depth accordingly.
Template routing: what to watch for
Routing with a template requires a bit with a top-mounted bearing that rides against the template edge. The bearing must match the template thickness, and the bit must be long enough to reach the full depth of your blank. Since the Ghost Tray Template is a single star shape, you will rout around the perimeter in multiple passes rather than cutting the entire depth at once.
Tear-out is the most common problem when routing across glue lines, especially if the species have different densities. Climb-cutting or taking too heavy a pass can splinter the edge. Always test the setup on a scrap piece of the same glue-up before committing to the final tray.
Steps to rout a two-tone serving tray
- Prepare a two-tone blank: Glue up contrasting wood species into a blank about 2 inches thick. Arrange the pieces so the color contrast follows the star points. Clamp until fully cured. Common mistake: using stock that is too thin—the template is designed for thicker blanks, and thin stock may not leave enough material for the tray profile. Check the blank thickness with calipers before routing; aim for 2 inches.
- Mount the template securely: Center the Ghost Tray Template on the blank and fasten it with double-sided tape or screws in waste areas. Make sure the template cannot shift. Common mistake: using weak tape that lets the template creep during routing, which ruins the star shape. Press down firmly on the template and test for movement before routing.
- Set up the router and bit: Install a pattern bit with a top-bearing that matches the template thickness. Set the bit depth for a shallow first pass—no more than 1/8 inch. Common mistake: trying to rout the full depth in one pass, which overloads the bit and causes tear-out. Make a test cut on scrap to confirm the bearing rides smoothly against the template.
- Rout the star shape in passes: With the router running, guide the bearing along the template edge, working clockwise around the star. Increase depth by 1/8 inch per pass until you reach the desired tray depth. Common mistake: routing too fast or forcing the bit, which can burn the wood or splinter the points. Keep the router moving steadily and listen for a consistent cutting sound.
- Finish the tray edges: After the final pass, remove the template and sand the routed edges smooth. Ease the sharp points slightly to prevent chipping. Common mistake: skipping sanding on the end grain, which can feel rough and absorb finish unevenly. Sand progressively from 120 to 220 grit, then apply a food-safe finish if the tray will hold food.
Product facts
- Infinity Tools Ghost Tray Template: The Ghost Tray Template is a star-shaped template for making chip and dip, cheese and cracker, or candy trays with a router. It gives you a repeatable star profile without needing to cut the shape by hand, so you can focus on the glue-up and routing.
Infinity Tools Ghost Tray Template
