Ornament help ?

[Badger]

Hi, I'd like to make some Christmas ornaments, but am not sure what wood to use or how thick I should make them. I would appreciate any help.

Thanks, John

[Marsha]

Originally Posted by Badger

Hi, I'd like to make some Christmas ornaments, but am not sure what wood to use or how thick I should make them. I would appreciate any help.

Thanks, John

Hi John; there are several things you need to consider before you decide what type of wood to use.
1st: What type of ornament do you want to make, flat, slotted 3d, compound cut.
2nd: What type of finish do you want to use, natural varnish, stained, or painted.
For flat painted ornaments, I would use 1/4" Baltic Birch. It paints quite nicely and is light to hang on a tree.
For natural or stained finishes I would use a nice hardwood again 1/4".
For Compound cut ornaments the wood needs to be 1 1/2" square, hardwood. Compound cut ornaments are difficult to stain or paint, so you will want a pretty hardwood.
For slotted 3d ornaments, again I would use a pretty hardwood, painting slotted ornaments can narrow the slot and make them difficult to get together. Most patterns will tell you how thick the wood should be to accomodate the slot cut.
I always use 1/4" material, I've tried the 1/8" but found it to thin.
Hope this helps
Marsha

[wood-n-things]

Great advice Marsha, I can just add one thing.

Most patterns will tell you how thick the wood should be to accomodate the slot cut.

If you use a piece of the stock you are cutting the ornament out of and use it for a guide you will always have the proper thickness to cut the slot.
Just set the piece perpendicular on the the piece to be cut and draw a line on both sides ..Voila' perfect fit every time.

[Rolf]

I am on the other side of the spectrum. I use 1/16 Finish plywood (thinfin) and ocassionaly 1/8. I like my ornaments delicate (or at least to give that ilussion)
If there is a lot of detail or veining in the ornament I leave them natural, why do all that work to only lose the detail in a busy or dark grain.

Remmember it comes down to what appeals to you.

[lucky788scroller]

Already a lot of good advice. I tend to use hardwoods for most of mine.The flat ones usually in 1/8th to 3/16 inch thickness, and sometimes 1/4th inch. I have had good luck with red and white oak, walnut, maple,holly and ash . For some reason when I cut the flat ones out of cherry any thinner then 1/4th inch, they usually break and cause me to have cussing fits, so I dont care for cherry for them. And also, for the ornaments Rolf cuts, the 1/16th inch thick finnish birch plywood is perfect. I recieved an ornament from him in the past and it looks fantastic!
If its compound cut ornaments, the size of the pattern will dictate your wood requirements, as well as the best blade choice, depending on size and detail.