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DIY Acrylic Tray

Published: Jan 14, 2015 · Modified: Mar 20, 2015 by Ashley Phipps · 1034 words. · About 6 minutes to read this article. · 27 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads and sponsored posts · This blog uses cookies · See our privacy policy for more info Filed Under: DIY, Giveaway, Home Decor, Sponsored Post

Ever since my sweet friend Stacey posted about her awesome abstract plexiglass bowl she made, I have been dying to create something beautiful with plexiglass!  I had so many ideas but finally narrowed it down to creating a DIY Acrylic Tray.  I have never worked with plexiglass but was completely surprised at how easy and doable a project like this truly is!  So don't be worried, you can totally do this!  It looks really impressive but it is actually fairly easy!  (Those are my favorite types of projects!)  So I am thrilled to show you my really fun and simple to make, DIY Acrylic Tray today!

DIY Acrylic Tray | this is so fun and easy to DIY and it makes a great bedside tray, entryway key drop or catchall

A big thanks goes out to HomeRight for making this post possible today.

Several years ago I bought my husband this beautiful leather catchall from Pottery Barn!  I decided to use this as my inspiration to create my own little bedside acrylic tray, with a bit more modern feel to it.  (This would also make a beautiful entryway organizer too!)  Here is my inspiration:

Leather Catchall

DIY Acrylic Tray

To create this, I used:

  • HomeRight Digital Temperature Heat Gun
  • 1 sheet of plexiglass
  • BladeRunner, Jig Saw, or Table Saw
  • Plexiglass Blade
  • Leather gloves (my husband uses these for welding so be sure you get gloves that are meant to withstand heat because it will get hot)
  • Block of Wood
  • Sharpie Marker

Trace Catchall Size

The first thing I did was determine the approximate size I wanted my acrylic tray to be.  I happened to have a piece of wood about the same size so I decided to use this as my guide.  I added 3" in both directions (so that I would have about 1 ½" tall sides) and that became the size of plexiglass I needed.  I drew a square that size with a sharpie marker onto my plexiglass.

*Please note that you do NOT want to remove the plastic from the plexiglass yet!  So you aren't actually drawing your square on the plexiglass, it is actually on the plastic coating that you will take off later.

Plexiglass Blades

After the square was drawn onto the plexiglass, I cut it to size.  I used my BladeRunner with a plexiglass blade and it worked flawlessly!  But a jig saw or table saw would work well for this too.  I just recommend using a really fine grit saw blade so that you have clean and smooth edges.

Cut Plexiglass

After I cut my plexiglass I removed the plastic coating from both sides.  Then I laid it onto my wood and turned my Heat Gun on.

HomeRight Digital Temperature Heat Gun

Please use caution when using tools like a saw and a heat gun.  You will want to wear protective gear, especially eye protection, and of course when using a heat gun, I recommend wearing heat resistant gloves too!  I used my husbands leather welding gloves.  Also, please be sure to do this in a well ventilated area and if you can't, be sure you wear a mask.

Heat Gun

I cranked my heat gun all the way up and began to warm my plexiglass.  I turned it to setting number III and then turned the heat up to 1020 degrees.  That is extraordinarily hot so please use extreme caution when doing this!  (Please note I am not a professional at this, I am only sharing what worked for me.  I am not responsible if you don't have the same results or if any injury results.  I always recommend reading and following all manufacturer instructions when using tools.)

Heat up Plexiglass with Heat Gun

It took several minutes to warm the plexiglass up to a point where it was malleable.  Once it was, I began to work the plexiglass, one area at a time, to fold the sides down around the wood block.

Fold Sides of Plexiglass Tray

This will take time and patience to shape and form the plexiglass into the perfect catchall shape.  But little by little I turned each edge down to create four sides on my catchall.

Then I slowly worked the corners until they pinched in ever so slightly to be reminiscent of my husband's catchall.

Bend Corners of Plexiglass

Once I thought the shape was close, I turned the acrylic tray over and made a few minor adjustments and tweaks to get it perfect.  I smoothed out a few areas and tried to get all of the corners as similar to each other as possible.

DIY Acrylic Tray Organizer | this is so fun and easy to DIY and it makes a great bedside tray, entryway key drop or catchall

What is great about working with plexiglass is that you can continue to work it until it is perfect!  You can just reheat the area and try again.  It is really such a fun medium to use for creating!

DIY Acrylic Tray

And the HomeRight Digital Heat Gun, is to die for!  I love that I can easily control the exact temperature I need with this!  Plus it makes starting and stopping simple since I can keep the temperature consistent each time I use it!

And I am really excited because I get to give a Digital Heat Gun from HomeRight away today!  Woot woot!

HomeRight Digital Heat Gun Giveaway

Please wait until the Rafflecopter fully loads and enter to win below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

By entering to win, you agree to these Terms: Winning entries will be verified.  This giveaway is in no way affiliated, administered or endorsed by Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or Instagram.  No information will be disclosed to Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or Instagram by entering this giveaway.  No purchase necessary to win.  Odds of winning are based on number of entrants.  Winner for prize package will be chosen randomly through Rafflecopter.  Giveaway will run from January 14, 2015 until January 22, 2015 at 6:00am EST.  Winner will be announced on January XXXXXXX, 2015 in this blog post and the winner will need to respond within 48 hours of announcement via email to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen.  Winner must be 18 years of age or older and a US citizen with a US mailing address in order to win.  Void where prohibited.  Winner is responsible for paying any necessary taxes on winnings.  All prizes will be mailed / emailed / fulfilled by the sponsor and the blog owner(s) involved are not held responsible if the prize is not fulfilled.  A list of winners may be requested after the giveaway has ended.  Please email me with any questions or to obtain additional information at: [email protected]

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Candice Moran

    January 14, 2015 at 1:45 pm

    I really want to make a diy acrylic tray now!

    Reply
  2. alexis

    January 14, 2015 at 2:15 pm

    If I won I'd try this exact project!

    Reply
  3. Nornee

    January 14, 2015 at 2:30 pm

    I would strip my radiator cover! It's a mess!

    Reply
  4. Julie

    January 14, 2015 at 5:40 pm

    What a fantastically modern project, you would never guess you were able to make this yourself. Love it, and they would make such lovely gifts too.

    Reply
  5. Darla Bunyan

    January 14, 2015 at 11:33 pm

    I totally wanna make a tray like this! I hope I win this sooooo bad! Thanks for the opportunity!

    Reply
  6. Emily

    January 14, 2015 at 11:49 pm

    that is such a fun product... I think I would love to make some earrings or other jewelry with this heat gun!!!

    Reply
  7. Lisa Cooper

    January 15, 2015 at 7:00 am

    Looks like fun! I would make small jewelry holders and decorate them using my Cameo.

    Reply
  8. beverly e

    January 15, 2015 at 9:51 am

    I would love to use a heat gun to remove the old paint and varnish from an old bed I've been working on. Thanks for the chance to win!

    Reply
  9. Chris Q

    January 15, 2015 at 11:55 am

    Too many projects !!! I have 6 lined up !!!! It would work on any of them !!

    Reply
  10. 4thFrog

    January 15, 2015 at 12:00 pm

    Cool finished product, but you lost me at "jig saw." My mother, however, would love this project and I'd be happy to give the heat gun to her.

    Reply
  11. Melanie

    January 15, 2015 at 12:00 pm

    I really liked the icicle that Stacy made!

    Reply
  12. brigette

    January 15, 2015 at 1:57 pm

    I would make a tray table for my new apartment!

    Reply
  13. Stacey Brown

    January 15, 2015 at 2:13 pm

    What a creative DIY! Totally doable and fun!!

    Reply
  14. SS

    January 15, 2015 at 3:41 pm

    That looks like a fun tool and project to try.

    Reply
  15. Heidi @ Happiness is Homemade

    January 15, 2015 at 3:58 pm

    Ashley, this is AWESOME!!! I have all the supplies already, so I might have to make one, too!

    Reply
  16. Jeannie Buechele

    January 15, 2015 at 4:43 pm

    I have a dresser I just bought at a garage sale that I would love to take the bad wood off and stain with and this would make it so much easier to refurbish 🙂

    Reply
  17. KC Coake

    January 15, 2015 at 9:21 pm

    What a gorgeous tray! I'm amazed at how easy it sounds and how perfect it looks. Just might have to give something like this a try and check out that heat gun...fun!

    Reply
  18. Emily @ Two Purple Couches

    January 15, 2015 at 10:07 pm

    This is SO cool!!! Who knew you could do so many cool things to plexi glass!?

    Reply
  19. Amy Anderson

    January 16, 2015 at 9:41 am

    I'd definitely try a tray - this looks so fun!

    Reply
  20. Lena

    January 17, 2015 at 11:38 am

    How neat! The tray looks like a nice starter project - making a few of them for various spots around the house. Then - the sky's the limit!

    Reply
  21. Anne Marie

    January 17, 2015 at 9:09 pm

    IF would attempt to make a try like yours!

    Reply
  22. Charles Young

    January 18, 2015 at 6:27 am

    Thats a great idea. Better than my basket using now it catches to much. This would get used mostly for stripping paint during refinishing.

    Reply
  23. Debra Ford

    January 18, 2015 at 4:53 pm

    That is a great project

    Reply
  24. Elaina Sims

    January 18, 2015 at 7:22 pm

    Amazing! I always learn something new here! I had no idea that plexiglass could be used in this way. I would LOVE to win the heat gun!

    Reply
  25. Shirley

    January 18, 2015 at 9:06 pm

    How thick was your plexiglass? I want to try this but there are many different thicknesses. Thanks for sharing this with us.

    Reply
  26. Lyn M

    January 21, 2015 at 6:05 pm

    I am hoping to win this for my husband so I am not sure what his first project would be 🙂

    Reply
  27. gail

    January 23, 2015 at 2:30 pm

    Not entering--just wanted to let you know I pinned and shared on FB.

    LOVE your tray Ashley!

    gail

    Reply

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