Nutcracker Toy Soldier

[STAR]

This is my first post here, so I hope somebody can give me some advice. My daughter lived in Omaha, Nebraska for about eight years hence her interest in the American Christmas.

My daughter, who is now back in Oz has long wanted a life size Nutcracker soldier and a matching Santa to guard the entrance of our house at Christmas. As I have just completed a hat block stand for this Christmas, my thoughts turn to 2011.

However, their is one small problem I have never carved before and as I live in Australia I do not know any carvers and I can not find any information or plans on how to go about completing a Nutcracker Toy Soldier.

Fortunately, I have a another daughter who is in L.A.often and I have an arrangement with the local Woodcraft store in nearby Stanford to deliver to her hotel what tools and accessories I want.

I was going to use Jelutong as it is available for carver's here. Here are a few of my queries.

What tools do you suggest with such a program in mind?

What would be a good small lead in project?

What books do you suggest for a beginner who would like to undertake such a program?

Are their plans or drawings available for such a project so I can try and replicate the artwork and turn it into a completed project.?

Any other starter beginner hints?

Thanks

Pete

[brent]

, First, you need a nutcracker or at least a drawing of one. Then you need to resize it to the size that you want it to be. Next, figure out the amouont of lumber you will need. You may have to glue up and saw out the blank at this point.
The rest is to just take away what don't belong.
Might want to start out with scultor size gouges or a chainsaw or one of the other type of grinders that are made for removing wood. ( PLEASE, please, if you do use a grinder, wear a dust mask or respirator.......keep that nasty dust out of your lungs!).
Past issues of the Carving magazine had several articles about the carver doing lifesize Robert L. Stevenson and Treasure Island. Mag comes out of England....might check into some back issues. If I can find them, I will give you the dates.
Good luck!!

[STAR]

Brent.

Thank you very much for your reply. It is appreciated. The information and ideas you have given will help me get around some of the magnitude of the task in front of me.

I am not a complete beginner in woodwork but would see myself as an enthusiastic amateur that is moving along the improvement trail with some great wood working mentors. Unfortunately, no woodcarvers. At least, their is one old guy at our club who I have just found out has done a bit of carving. I was shown a few photos of some of his work, but this old guy works along the principle. " When the pupil is ready, the master will appear. "

I think I have to make the initial effort to get my head in the right place. Some people do not like working with a complete novice who knows "Jack" . Sometimes, and I agree the novice has to do the hard yards first to prove you are worthy of someones valuable time.

I like user tools, but also admire fine hand tools and have a cabinet that I made to house the better heirloom ones. I also like to make as many hand tools as I can or at least, try to find old collectible tools that can be restored and brought back to life.

I have a small Husky chain saw, so I will see what part that has to play. I have access to all the wood working machines like bandsaws etc but not quite sure how useful they will be in this endeavor.

Thanks so much, now I can do some more research.

Pete

[gene-messer]

Pete .. one thing .. I have used Jelutong and it is a great carving wood .. but is it strong enough for a nut cracker .. most Jelutong I have used is a light soft wood and may not be usable for a working nut cracker .. but just for show will work on one ..
Gene

[STAR]

Originally Posted by gene-messer

Pete .. one thing .. I have used Jelutong and it is a great carving wood .. but is it strong enough for a nut cracker .. most Jelutong I have used is a light soft wood and may not be usable for a working nut cracker .. but just for show will work on one ..
Gene

--------------------------
Thanks for the reply Gene.

I would agree also that Jelutong may not be strong enough for a normal nutcracker. But the Nutcracker I am attempting is a life size Toy Soldier which from my research were of German heritage and made popular in the States by returning GIs from Germany.

These are not the ones that actually crack nuts. My daughter bought the complete set of four nutcrackers of Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz and they were approx 12 to 14 inches high. They actually had a swinging leg and were designed to crack nuts.

Are we on the same wave length or is their something about the life size soldier that I am unfamiliar with.

Regards

Pete

[brent]

It is possible to use jelutong for the body and you could make an insert for the upper mouth using a harder wood and also for the lever. Just a thought.

[Steve Reed]

Pete, if the item is "just for show", jelutong should be ok. As you implied it will not be used for cracking nuts, but as a decoration. If you mean "life-sized" to be 6 ft tall or so, it will take a BUNCH of lumber and probably lots of glueing, unless you can find a tree! There should be lots of pics of nutcrackers out there on the web. As Brent said, a drawing will be helpful. You can also make a full-sized pattern by using a grid system of 1 inch squares and a big piece of kraft paper, or several pieces taped together. Don't thin a bandsaw will be much use for such a large piece, but the chainsaw could come in handy. As far as tools, I would use full-sized sculptor tools and a good mallet. Don't know your financials, but the bigger tools come with a bigger price tag. The good news is they should last you a lifetime. Pfeil, Ashley Iles etc all make good ones. Good luck and show us pics as you progress.
Happy Carving!

[STAR]

[QUOTE=Steve Reed;382922]Pete, if the item is "just for show", jelutong should be ok. As you implied it will not be used for cracking nuts, but as a decoration. If you mean "life-sized" to be 6 ft tall or so, it will take a BUNCH of lumber and probably lots of glueing,

-----------
Thanks for your reply Steve.

And by the way " Go Big Red. "

Cornhusker fan.

Pete

[STAR]

The wheels in Stars workshop move very slowly. I have now finally got part of my head around this project and have taken the first step.

Because of all the timber involved I have decided to reduce the size a bit to fit the timber I have. It will still be nearly life size. When these guys were running around I suspect they were no more than 5ft 6''. Mine will be around the 5 foot mark, maybe a bit more on the stand from the floor to the top of the hat.

The project will be part turned part carved. So far the head and the hat plus the tassel at the top have been turned. the eyebrows, nose and mustache will be carved separately and added on.

The chest and waist will be shaped and carved. The boards have been glued together and on Friday I start shaping. the arms and legs will be part turned part carved.

Hopefully I can get some WIP photos up on the weekend. This is going to be a long project but I will aim to finish by the 1st of November when our Christmas decorations get sorted out.

The head and hat plus the chest and waist will be out of Jelutong the rest most likely pine or whatever I can scrounge especially the turned bits. The hands and feet might be Jelutong.

Pete

[Ezzylearner]

Waiting to see your Nutcracker Toy Soldier. Safe carving, Pete.

Ezzy