Open desktop tray

Small Shop Plans · v1 · 400 × 250 × 100 mm · measured thickness 12 mm

Feasible cutting layout — every part is accounted for. Kerf 3 mm; edge trim 5 mm on each used sheet side. Cutting maps create rectangular blanks; complete any operations in the machining schedule before assembly. Display units: millimeters. Do not measure from the illustration.

Your project checklist

Collect the things that otherwise remain scattered, then return the whole desk to use.

Measure

Arrange the actual daily contents on paper and measure the occupied footprint.
Measure the desk landing space and leave room to grip both sides of the tray.

Tools and access

A saw and guide for straight cuts
A square, measuring rule and caliper
Clamps suitable for the dry assembly
A sanding block for accessible edges

Using the organizer

Empty pockets or the work surface into the tray when you finish.
Remove valuables and items that belong elsewhere before starting the next session.
Keep only the daily set; clear accumulated receipts once a week.

Check your result

The chosen daily set sits on the floor without a second hidden layer.
You can pick up the smallest item without emptying the tray.
The tray rests flat and can be moved with two hands without catching nearby objects.

If the fit is wrong

If small items vanish below larger ones, reduce the daily set or choose a divided tray.
If the tray crowds the desk, reduce its outer dimensions and check the layout again before cutting.

Dimensions and parts

Interior: 376 × 226 × 88 mm. Clear compartment width: 376.00 mm. Total base clearance: 0 mm per axis.

Cut length	Cut width	Thickness	Qty	Grain
400 mm	100 mm	12 mm	2	Along length
226 mm	100 mm	12 mm	2	Along length
376 mm	226 mm	12 mm	1	Unrestricted

Materials

Uses 1 standard sheet(s) and 0 existing offcut(s). Check your inventory before buying.
S1: 1 of 1 used · 600 × 600 × 12 mm plywood (standard sheet).
Four self-adhesive felt pads.
Adhesive suitable for the selected sheet. Prepare according to the adhesive label and actual contact faces; no universal quantity or cure time.
Compatible finish and abrasive. Choose for the actual material and intended indoor use.

Connections and machining

Open tray · 5 pieces · 12 mm plywood. An inset base closes four butt-jointed walls. Keep the base underside level with the wall bottoms.

No grooves or notches are required. Cut the rectangular parts, then follow the connection details.

Assembly

1. Measure and mark
Measure the actual sheet thickness (12 mm in this plan). Mark front / back F, left / right L, base P. Recalculate if the measured thickness differs. Measure the desk space, including clearance around the tray.
Parts: F, L, P · Start here
2. Cut and label the parts
Follow the numbered full-width cuts in the cutting sequence, then subdivide each labeled child region. Keep the part IDs and grain arrows. Use the instructions supplied with your tools; this plan is not tool training.
Parts: F, L, P · After measure
3. Dry-fit the outer walls
Front and back span 400 mm. Fit the 226 mm side walls between them. Check the outside footprint 400 × 250 mm and square the corners. The inset base is 376 × 226 mm; its underside sits flush with the wall bottoms. Total base clearance is 0 mm per axis (0 mm on each side).
Parts: F, L, P · After cut
4. Assemble the base and walls
Prepare and bond the butt-joint contact faces using an adhesive suitable for your sheet. Center the inset base at z = 0 mm. Check squareness before clamping. For a clearance gap, verify the adhesive allows that gap; use zero clearance or revise the fit if it does not.
Parts: F, L, P · After dry-fit
5. Cure, finish and check the fit
Follow the adhesive manufacturer's cure and handling instructions. Smooth edges and apply a finish compatible with your materials. Attach four self-adhesive felt pads under the base corners. Keep frequently used pieces toward the front. Use for light desktop items; no load rating is provided.
Parts: F, L, P · After glue

Sheet S1.1

Follow cuts in numbered order. Coordinates refer to the original sheet origin (top left). Trim all four edges first. Every cut spans its listed parent region. Part IDs match the parts list.

Cut	Parent region	Direction	Coordinate (mm)	First child	Second child
C1	N1	horizontal	105	N2	N3
C2	N2	vertical	405	N4	N5
C3	N3	horizontal	208	N6	N7
C4	N6	vertical	405	N8	N9
C5	N7	horizontal	437	N10	N11
C6	N10	vertical	381	N12	N13
C7	N11	horizontal	540	N14	N15
C8	N14	vertical	231	N16	N17
C9	N17	vertical	460	N18	N19

Remaining stock

Parts 0.2102 m²; trim 0.0119 m²; kerf 0.0090 m²; all offcuts 0.1290 m². Stock utilization 58.38% (parts / all listed stock area).

S1.1: 187 × 100 mm at (408, 5).
S1.1: 187 × 100 mm at (408, 108).
S1.1: 211 × 226 mm at (384, 211).
S1.1: 590 × 52 mm at (5, 543).
S1.1: 132 × 100 mm at (463, 440).