ctm3rd Posted November 12, 2011 Report Share Posted November 12, 2011 I would like to make some Christmas ornaments for my nieces for Christmas but I'm unsure of what type and size wood would be best. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mitch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken O Posted November 12, 2011 Report Share Posted November 12, 2011 I just went to Lowes and picked up a sheet of 1/8 in birch plywood. It was $12. Can cut some really small things and it seems to hold together great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted November 12, 2011 Report Share Posted November 12, 2011 I make most of mine out of 1/8" hardwoods (walnut, purpleheart, maple, cherry, etc). It's a bit more expensive than plywood but people seem to like them more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edward Posted November 12, 2011 Report Share Posted November 12, 2011 I usually make mine out of 1/4: oak, which people seem to like, also I use 1/8" BB, but don't sell as well, just my opinion. Edward Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrollworks Posted November 13, 2011 Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 I agree with Dan. I make mine mostly out of hardwoods, and they seem to sell much better than ones made of plywood. Also, their appearance is much more pleasing, in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill WIlson Posted November 13, 2011 Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 For me, it depends on the pattern and how I want to finish the ornament. Some ornament patterns are very intricate and delicate. If I determine that there is a significant risk of breakage, I will lean toward 1/8" baltic birch. I also often use baltic birch ply if I intend to paint them. Mostly, however I tend to favor solid wood, with a clear finish. The species doesn't matter. I use a variety, depending on the color and look I'm after. I like my flat ornaments to be fairly thin, so I usually don't go over 1/4" and usually am around 3/16" thick. This makes stack cutting easier, as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Posted November 13, 2011 Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 I am with Bill on this one. I use 1/8" plywood if I am going to paint them. Oak, mahogany, walnut or cherry if I want to leave them natural. I do think the painted ones show up better on a tree. I made some last year and applied some glitter to both sides of the natural ones. I found glitter that can be painted on at Hobby Lobby. Gold and silver suspended in a clear liquid. Mick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popshop13 Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 I use cedar because I have a lot of it and I do mostly compound cutting and I like the aroma in the shop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don in brooklin on Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 I just did 20 of Steve Goods personalized ornaments in 1/4 BB. Was not happy so ended up painting them. Still not finished as the Boss wants more colour. In future I will only use BB if I intend to paint them or are very light and 1/8 will do. I wished I had used hardwood. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 I use 1/8" Baltic Birch ply (usually stack cut 4-5). I don't remember where I read this, but there is a very long German tradition to using this BB Ply and left unfinished. However, I typically like using some spray acrylic clear coat on it so it doesn't get dirty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky2 Posted November 17, 2011 Report Share Posted November 17, 2011 I use 1/16" plywood that I make myself, I have ten or more different types of veneer that I use and they sell pretty well. When I don't happen to have any of my own plywood ready to use, I use 1/8" BB and they sell almost as well as the others do. I can stack cut as many as eight at a time if I'm using the 1/16" plywood that I make, after I have them cut I finish them with a high gloss finish. Len Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshall Posted November 17, 2011 Report Share Posted November 17, 2011 I use 1/8" Baltic Birch ply (usually stack cut 4-5). I don't remember where I read this, but there is a very long German tradition to using this BB Ply and left unfinished. However, I typically like using some spray acrylic clear coat on it so it doesn't get dirty. Mitch I'm in agreement with Travis , but I also use 1/4" walnut and use both polly and Lacquer switching from one or the other at different times .. ........MB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cardcoach Posted December 31, 2011 Report Share Posted December 31, 2011 Coming in late to this conversation but have to ask. How do you make your own 1/16th plywood? Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qlty Posted January 1, 2012 Report Share Posted January 1, 2012 I have been using wood boxes that imported wines come in,I get them free from a large liquor store nearby.By coating with oil or staining and sealing with clear or semi gloss acrylic they hold up well and don't warp.The tops are usually 1/4 or 3/16 thick pine or fur wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 I have found that stack cutting these when using 1/8 inch BB also makes them much easier to cut. what I have not tried yet and will try soon, is zero clearance on my saw..I think that will help a lot too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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