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.

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. This project was created as part of my 12 Days of Giftmas series and includes a how-to video you can follow along. Jump to: 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

Required Cookies & Technologies

I cut mine with a bandsaw, but if you don't have one, you could clamp the waste of the material to a workbench and use a jigsaw. 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! Finally, finish the thumb book holder with an oil finish. This can be Tru-Oil, Danish Oil, or Tried and True. For this project, I used Tried and True Danish Oil. Combi drill or drill press - I used a combi drill to create my thumb holes, but for accuracy, a drill press is better (although not an everyday home DIYer tool!) 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.

Alternatively, you could use a water-based stain to enhance the colour, and leave to dry before varnishing. If you have a cookbook stand, and a cook book that you like to use, it’s better to leave it on the stand than to try and one hand it while cooking. But for speed and accuracy around the curves, I used a belt sander upside down as this one is so heavy, it doesn't move about. Or you could use a bench sander. 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 BudgetHave 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. I also rolled up some sandpaper in the thumbnail to smooth it. But a spindle sander attachment in a drill would work too! Go over the entire piece and make sure that everything is very smooth. Don’t skip on this part of the tutorial.

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! 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. If you want to learn more about finishing, my 10 Step Guide to Wood Finishing is a free PDF that explains how to use hand applied finishes. There is no fancy equipment to buy, and anyone can learn how to apply a great finish.Buff the piece with Tripoli, then use the White Diamond compound. Then, buff with Carnauba Wax for a little more shine. Finally, inspect the piece for an even sheen, and touch up any spots that need it. 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. 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! or 25mm Flat wood drill bit - this is necessary as a minimum to drill thumb holes. I'm female and the 22mm hole is fine, but males or anyone with bigger hands may need 25mm +. However, if possible, try to use a Forstner bit instead for a cleaner cut.

Bandsaw- this has a narrow blade to cut out curvy shapes in wood. If you don't have one, you could use a coping saw and do it by hand (much slower), or a jigsaw, providing you've clamped it well. A scroll saw is also great for the job! My article on Finishing with Tried and True Danish Oil explains the finishing process, and it is very easy to follow.