Best wood for bookmarks?

[dave hensley]

Hey everyone,

I want to try making some wooden bookmarks and was wondering if anyone could recommend a type of wood that would work well. My wife has a couple of these that she's bought and she thought it would be nice to give a few away as gifts this year. I am thinking a thickness of 1/32 but what would be durable enough at that thickness to hold up well but also play nice with the laser?

Thanks!
Dave

[Mike Null]

1/32" is perfect for the purpose. Cherry is a good wood but just about any hardwood will work well.

[Jim Beachler]

Check out the website: CardsofWood.com.
They sell plain wood bookmarks in many different types of wood.

[Elliott Gerso]

Check out the website: CardsofWood.com.
They sell plain wood bookmarks in many different types of wood.

Their prices seem obscenely high. I am going to my local lumber distributer to get veneer pricing tomorrow for holiday card for our top cusotmers. I'll report back on their pricing in comparison to cardsofwood.

[dave hensley]

Thanks all for the replies!! I'll look forward to hearing what you find out Elliot!

[Mike Null]

Several years ago there was a good article in FWW about a fellow who made bookmarks full time using his scroll saw--really neat stuff and as I recall he sold most to LL Bean. Anyway a search of FWW archives should turn up the article.

[Craig B Smith]

Hi Dave,
We use 1/64" Midway Brand plywood from Hobby Lobby.

215075

[dave hensley]

Thanks Mike! I'll try to find that.

Those look great Craig! How does the 1/64 hold up? My wife reads daily, so her bookmarks get a lot of handling. I assumed 1/64 might be too thin, so I was planning on trying 1/32.

[Craig B Smith]

We do quite a few of these. The wood is 3-ply thick and holds up great. I started with veneer but found that they would split too easy.

[dave hensley]

Good news then! I'll pick some up and give it a try. Thanks!!

[George M. Perzel]

Hi Dave;
"Standard" veneer is now about 1/42" thick-used to be 1/28" was standard. A ton of veneer in every wood imaginable is available on Ebay at great prices. Get a couple of different kinds and a can of 3M spray adhesive, arrange one veneer cross band to the other, spray, wait 30 secs, bond together and put a little weight on it overnight-now you have great stuff for bookmarks-even a caveman can do it!!!
I do not have any relationship with 3M nor do I own the company or know anyone there nor do my immediate relatives or their firstborns.
Regards
george

[Bruce Clumpner]

Craig,

I'd like to give it a try too. Do you run out to the Rancho Cucamonga store or order on-line? I only see their 1/32" Midway stock on-line. Does any other OC store carry that thickness?

[Lee DeRaud]

I'd like to give it a try too. Do you run out to the Rancho Cucamonga store or order on-line? I only see their 1/32" Midway stock on-line. Does any other OC store carry that thickness?FWIW, I've seen it at Michael's (Weir Canyon/91) and Ultimate Hobbies (Katella/55).

[Bruce Clumpner]

Thanks Lee,

I'll try the Michaels down here, if nothing else, then I'll try the Ultimate Hobbies

-b