How to make a wooden pie server
  • Difficulty
    Medium

Introduction

Our Maker in Residence Celina Muire, provided us steps to re-create her rustic and festive wooden pie servers.

You need

Step By Step Instructions

Step18

Step 1

Using a compact saw trace the shape of the server and handle in the wood
Using a compact saw trace the shape of the server and handle in the wood
Using a compact saw trace the shape of the server and handle in the wood
Using a compact saw trace the shape of the server and handle in the wood

You need:

 

Choose your wood and draw or trace the pattern onto your wood. I chose walnut as my hardwood, and laid out the handles on opposite ends of the wood. Sketch out two triangles that have roughly 5” long sides and 3” wide. I am making a traditional pie server and a quirky pie server with a vintage copper handle reclaimed from an East Austin home. For both handles, draw a ¾” wide rectangle extending from the middle of your triangle to the end of the board.

Step28

Step 2

sketch an S on the side and carve with a rotary tool to required depth

You need:

 

If you have a band saw or jigsaw, cut out your triangle-shaped pieces. I didn’t have a saw that could cut boards this thick, so I used the Dremel Saw-Max to cut one side then flipped the wood and repeated the cut. You should end up with two “arrow” shaped blocks.

Step38

Step 3

Make liberal marks but conservative cuts so the work piece is not ruined

You need:

 

Sketch an “S” shape on the sides and cut the wood. I used the wood blade attachment for my Dremel 4200 rotary tool to make this cut.

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Step 4

Sand all sides with 60 grit sanding band and rotary tool

You need:

 

Be sure to make liberal marks and conservative cuts for the pie servers, you can always cut away more wood but you can’t add any back!

Step58

Step 5

With a drill bit drill holes smaller than the screws of the handles

You need:

 

Attach a 60-grit sanding bit to your Dremel Rotary Tool and sand all surfaces to size. You are going to need to have the root of the handle extend close to the bottom of the pie server. This ensures that the pie server will not break from heavy usage. Tip: Round out your wood handles, but be sure to leave enough width for your metal handles to attach to the screws. Sand down the spatula where the end is thinner than the base. Be careful not to sand the tip too thin or you will risk chipping. Once you achieve the shape you are happy with, sand the pie server by hand, using at least 220 grit sandpaper.

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Step 6

Remove excess dust and season the pie servers with coats of food-grade oil

You need:

 

Attach a drill bit to your Dremel Rotary Tool to drill a hole slightly smaller than your screws for your handles.

Step78

Step 7

Don't forget to remove excess dust and “season” the pie servers with a food-grade oil

You need:

 

Once you finish sanding remove excess dust and “season” the pie servers with a food-grade oil. I use oil with a cotton rag and generously treat the wood with three coats. Give adequate time in between coats for the wood to soak up the oil. Check out the difference in the grain when walnut gets hydration!

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Step 8

Your hand made wooden pie server is ready to serve
Dry the oil then screw in the handles
Your hand made wooden pie server is ready to serve
Dry the oil then screw in the handles

You need:

 

After oiling, screw in the handle with the appropriate hardware. Serve your pies in style ya’ll! Enjoy! I had a lot of fun making these. I wanted to make sure it had a “hand-crafted” look, so there are some minor dents and depressions in the wood, but I think it just adds to the character of a handmade kitchen utensil.


Warning

To reduce the risk of injury user must read instruction manuals for all tools used in this project. Wear eye and respiratory protection. Use clamps to support work piece whenever practical.