Slicing Black Walnut Nuts

[Old Scout]

Can anyone suggest a method of cutting approx. 3/16 in slices from a black walnut nut? My Jigsaw couldn't handle the job, but I had some success with my band saw using 4 tooth blade. Tried a hack saw , but not to good. Will appreciate any help Thanks!!

[Woody1961]

Personally, I would try using a blade on the band saw that has more teeth per inch (TPI). Perhaps something like a 14, 18 or 24 TPI. The more TPI the slower the cut, but also the smoother the cut.

[A_Swope]

What are you planning on doing with them? I've never heard of carving them.

[arfer1943]

Can't work out why you want to do it either, BUT

Biologists and medical men set floppy samples in wax, then slice the wax block as required, thus giving a thin slice of flesh or plant after the wax is dissolved away.

Google "microtome" and read.

[Old Scout]

I haven't carved them, but have seen monkeys carved from the nuts. The slices are very interesting, no two alike & the eatable part is tasty. Pins, ear rings etc can be made. Thanks for the responce

[AlArchie]

Sounds interesting...can you post some pics? I would caution you to be really careful when cutting ANY round or cylindrical objects with a bandsaw. If not held very securly, the blade can grab and roll the object and jam it against the table. Result is stung fingers (so far no cuts) and a broken blade.

Al

[Dull Knife]

Originally Posted by Old Scout

Can anyone suggest a method of cutting approx. 3/16 in slices from a black walnut nut? My Jigsaw couldn't handle the job, but I had some success with my band saw using 4 tooth blade. Tried a hack saw , but not to good. Will appreciate any help Thanks!!

If it were me, I'd use my variable speed scroll saw, turned way down to a very low speed, with a thin blade.

I believe that you could glue the walnuts to a stick, using epoxy glue. And when you cut the nut, you're going to have to mount the stick, with the nut, on something that will keep the nut stable and in line with the blade.

I have cut odd shapes this way.....so go slow and be care ful.

[Donsexton]

Freeze the nut in a block of ice and slice it with your band saw.

[bethc]

Hi, Old Scout. I've managed to cut a few slices to use with the pine needle coiling on my gourds, but have never used them with my woodcarving. I found that I could hold the nut steady by using a foam rubber square about 1/2 - 3/4" thick on either end of the nut and clamping the nut in a pair of vise-grip pliers with the large c-shaped grip end. I then cut on my band saw using my all-purpose 1/4" blade with about 14-16 tpi (I don't remember the exact specs.) With this setup, I was able to cut two or three thin slices from each walnut I used. If anyone has come up with another way of holding the nut secure for cutting, I would love to learn about it. This way works, but is a bit of a pain to use. If I were computer literate enough, I'd attach pictures of the slices and one used on a gourd, but . . . Sorry about that.

Good luck!

[Old Scout]

I used Vice grip s to hold the nut too, but I like the foam to cushion the nut. Good idea!1 thanks