Christmas Question

[geneVG]

I have never cut out Christmas ornaments before.  My question is, do you use 1/4 or 1/8 inch material?  Also do you use a light shade of wood or can you use a darker shade like Walnut?  I guess lately I am just full of question.  But like the old saying goes, if you don't know ask.

gene

[jimbo]

I use 1/4" wood for my ornaments, wood doesn't matter as long as it looks good
Jimbo

[campasano]

I use both thickness and it depends on the ornament. If I plan on painting the ornament I prefer to use light shaded wood. If I plan on applying a satin or high gloss finish then I use walnut.

Mike

[dgman]

Hey Gene, Don't worry about asking questions, that's what we are here for!
I use both 1/8" and 1/4"woods. I use what ever I have on hand. I have cut ornaments out of Baltic birch, Maple, Walnut, Alder, Mahogany, Cherry, Sapele and Red Heart. I will not use softwoods like pine because they tend to break easily.
I also stack cut my ornaments. For 1/8" woods, I will stack three or four layers. For 1/4" woods, I will stack two or three layers.

[geneVG]

Well, it looks like I can make some saw dust.

gene

[GrayBeard]

Last season I made mine from 1/4" native Missouri Ash!

I think they turned out very nice, but that is MHO!

~~~GB~~~

[dgman]

Good to hear it Gene! Just experiment with what you have. If you don't like it, someone else will!

[tux_linux]

I'm with Mike - it depends on the pattern.

If you cut out a lot the ornament becomes light anyway - Sometimes too light.
Larger Ornaments need naturally lighter wood.

I also make jewelry from 1/3" walnut which becomes really light.

[Paw Paw Ray]

Try both sizes and see what you like the best and also different woods for different effects.

[edward]

 When I do ornaments I use 1/4" oak, only use 1/8 BB when I paint them Edward

[UHMNL]

I use a lot of 1/16 BB for ornaments. Stack a lot like 7 or 8.
I also use 1/4 redwood and oak. Also stack cut 3 to 4 it all depends how easy the pattern is.
The flour shop in town is going to have a big sale before X-mas and all proceeds go to the food pantry. Have made so far 225 and not done yet. When the tree is up will post a picture.
FD Mike

[cherie]

Mine are mostly 1/4 inch of anything I can get a hold of, well except for the slotted ornaments.  I cut most of them from 1/8 balitic birch ply.

[mrsn]

Depending on the pattern I use 1/8 or 1/4. But mostly I will use anything I can get my hands on. Last year I made a few out of 3/8" poplar that turned out really awesome, I was a little worried they would be too thick, but the pattern worked. Dying BB ply with food coloring is a fun way to get some color into simple ornaments.

I really like hanging my ornaments on a piece of ribbon. Last year I made a little jig to help cut ribbon, super simple but surprising how many pieces I cut before making the jig. It is just a scrap of 3/4" plywood about 10" long with a v-notch cut in each end just big enough for a pair of scissors. Wrap 1/4" ribbon around the jig a bunch of times then cut both ends. Really simplifies the cutting process, now if I can only figure out an easier way of tying all of the cut ribbons...

[Leldon]

Extra credit points for the kid that cuts the most! LOL

[cameronj]

Since I have a lot of stock of 1/8" BB, that is what I use most of the time.  As others have said already....use 1/4 for more delicate pieces.  I have also used walnut and cherry planed to 1/4" or slightly less.
Jim