Nutcracker!!!!!

[Keoma]

Finally! I have been wanting to make one for years! This year I decided one of my fantabulous collection had to take one for the team! So I sat on the couch-told him how much I loved him and popped his head off!
I knew the pattern was an easy one, but also knew the mechanics had to line up so here is what I have so far! I have started a pattern so you guys don't have to disect any of yours .
We are painting him up and putting him together today-my little guy is so excited!!!
Can't wait! I have grand ideas ya'll! I'm gonna carve them all summer so IU can have a stockpile for next holiday season - I even figured out a way to make them REALLY crack NUTS! wait till you see!
Anyway! Here is the picture!
I placed tooth picks in the holes to make sure he went together just so and his base is in the shop on the bench,
Super simple-super fun!

oh yeah! he has yet to get his eye brows or his nose

[carlt]

Good start, hope he meets your expectations. Happy carving, and Merry Christmas.

Carl

[Woody1961]

Can you describe the mechanics of this piece? How do you make him so that he can actually crack nuts vs not?

[Keoma]

crack -v- not...it's the wood you use and the way you make the head/body. Nutcrackers are mass produced today by pieces...like mine is now. The head is cut off, the groove is cut, the "L shape" handle is inserted. Made of cheap Balsa wood, it barely cracks a peanut without snapping the handle or popping the glued head right off.
I have drilled a hole through the front directly through to the back. With a small corner chisel, I made it bigger. I Cut the entire piece from oak. The grain runs head to toe on him and to get the same strength in my handle, I carved more of an arc than an opened up "L" shape. That way my grain runs the length of it with less chance of snapping. I drill a hole where I want it to hinge.
A drilled hole directly through where I attach the shoulders is what holds the lever in place inside.

[Sharon of the Dell]

Cool!!!
This made me laugh, because I've been putting my nutty guys out the last few days.
I dropped one and his head came off, so I tore him apart yesterday to become a pattern!

[Keoma]

yeahyeahyeaaah sharon!!!!! I'm only surprised it took us this long!

[Mottles]

Well, this cracks me up too, Keoma the brave one who tackles carving a Nutcracker. Not just any Nutcracker, but one that actually cracks nuts. Very cool! Looking forward to seeing the finished Nutcracker.
I have three Nutcrackers that would fall apart if presented with cracking a nut.
You go girl!

[Sharon of the Dell]

I haven't made one yet!!!
Holding off until hubby carpenter man gets my space done, which will be soon!!!!

Here's a picture of my big bling guys I got at Safeway about 6, 7 years ago.
Guess I should of dusted them first. I put them by my big size 10 hiking boot, so you can get an idea just how big they are! LOL
I like the trim and stuff on them. Neat ideas for decorating them!

[Sharon of the Dell]

When my nutcracker broke, I was thinking about you and wondering if you ever made one!
So this is cool that you are on your way! GRIN!

I've had an idea in my pea brain for some years now of using old wooden thread spools from my Mom to make a nutcracker. I can see it, just need to plan it out on paper a little before I get to it.

[Keoma]

OOOOOOOH! I love them!!! I think it's very funny that we both have a collection of them! I am going to go get my boxes out and set them up too! (Boxes-that's plural!) I love your chef! and I think the spools would be a gREAT idea!!!
Ha! Kathy! Brave maybe! determined to have a handmade one that works -definitely! Always thinking of you dear lady! great to hear from you!