A wooden thumb book holder is a fun, eco friendly project to make, and when a nice finish is applied, it looks amazing. Select a nice piece of wood and a traditional oil finish for this project and you will love the results. Bench sander or heavy belt sander upside down - To tidy your cuts, you'll need to do a lot of sanding. If you don't have either of these, I have been known to hand-sand things while watching TV 😂 And sandpaper for the thumb hole is a good idea! Sheet of paper, pencil and scissors - you won't need to waste money buying a template or plans on Etsy here as we'll fold the sheet of paper and cut a quarter of a circle, then open it up to reveal our design. Simple! My article on Finishing with Tried and True Danish Oil explains the finishing process, and it is very easy to follow. To prevent a tear out while drilling your thumb holes, only drill until the pointy end is poking on the other side, then do it from the reverse. Or you could clamp a sacrificial piece below.

Other Book Holder Design Ideas - mine is very simple, but you could draw a Batman logo, a love heart, or a Harry Potter Snitch. Why not have fun and get creative? Drilling a Thumb Hole Finally, if you want a glossier finish, use a buffing wheel. I use the Beall Wood Buff System in my shop, and had I know how nice it was I would have bought it a long time ago.Can you stain the wood before varnishing? Yes! Make sure it is fully dry first. Or, if you're using a coloured preservative, you'll need to let the oils soak in properly for 2 weeks prior to varnishing. A tip Cuprinol once told me! ➕More Handmade Gifts on a Budget

I like this finish because it is natural, easy to work with, and leaves a nice satin glow to the piece. The look is more traditional, and handmade.Have you got any advice on cutting hardwood to prevent the blade from turning? You may need to tighten the tension on your blade and that it's close to the bearings. Also, ensure the guard is as low as possible (close to the project as possible) to prevent the blade from wobbling. Next, place your stencil on an offcut of hardwood and draw around it. Or you could draw inside the hole of your large sheet of paper. Go over the entire piece and make sure that everything is very smooth. Don’t skip on this part of the tutorial. Safety goggles& ear defenders - if you're using power tools, then wear your PPE! Also, if you're sanding lots, I recommend a dust mask to protect your lungs!