Thoughts on Trays ?

[smittyd]

I use a old Zig Zag rolling tray that i used alot in my teen years and into my 20's.

 

[chilllucky]

I have access to a CNC router and could put that pipe caddy tray back into production in a weekend. Who made them originally and how much did they sell for? I wouldn't want to just knock it off without getting permission from the designer.

 

[cigrmaster]

I have one of those Neerup leather mats and it works very nicely.

 

[saltedplug]

I used my finger to tamp for the last years. Didn't have to keep up with it, find it and use it. I saw trays but never got one as a book was just as good and they seemed more encumbrance than help, more an embellishment of pipe culture than a mainstay.

 

[jrenko]

I found a small round metal plate that i use. It was free and it works fine for drying tobacco and carry my pipe.

 

[lawdawg]

I have a locally-made wooden tray of about 12 inches in length and maybe 8 or 9 inches in width. It holds matches, an ash tray, a Czech tool, a leather band style pipe rest, and a coaster for a drink. I store it in a drawer in an end table next to my couch.
It's nice to be able to get the tray out and have everything I need at hand, and to pick up the tray and put it away all at once for super-easy cleanup.

they seemed more encumbrance than help, more an embellishment of pipe culture than a mainstay.

Quite the opposite for me. I find my tray imminently practical. I started looking for a pipe tray for the purpose of solving the problem of ever-present mess of pipes, tobacco, matches, pipe tools, and other such items on my coffee table. Now, it's confined to the tray, which I can easily pick up and move to its drawer for storage until the next smoke.

 

[ccdeere]

Paper or a tin lid works fine...but I like a mat of leather of late. Have one that has 4 corners that latch together to keep the tobacco from spilling out too much. Works nice and looks great!

 

[Chasing Embers]

I just use paper towels. They speed drying, are cheap, and disposable.

 

[npod]

It's nice to be able to get the tray out and have everything I need at hand, and to pick up the tray and put it away all at once for super-easy cleanup.

Bingo! That is the main use of a tray. Many of the posts above talk about drying tobacco, but that is secondary use.

 

[pappymac]

And here I was, thinking, "I've solved this problem long ago with a 8x10 sheet of paper."

 

[mrmachado]

I guess papers an ashtrays can both serve the same purpose (despite other utilities), but I like the appeal and beauty of ashtrays. If they're not expensive of course. :lol:
Planning on buying a big one (for little money)! Only have a cigarette ashtray for now (which holds my pipe well).

 

[mso489]

Not wanting to accumulate too much "stuff," I like the sheet of paper approach, or as an alternative, a drawing/lap board that can be cleared by hand or with a ruler or piece of cardboard. Right now, I use a bowl that is big enough for a tin of tobacco, that I work over to catch the dropped leaf. An old game board that folds in the middle might do, a checker board or Candyland for that matter. I like avoiding extra purchases, not for the expense but for the clutter. Then there's the good old food tray with edges to catch the leaf. If you use something re-purposed, it might be good to make a label, "Pipe Tray" or something, so it wouldn't get sent off to Goodwill by a family member.