The NutCrusher Mk1

[mattthemuppet2]

made the top plate, though I didn't cut the grooves yet as a) I screwed up the non-linkage pivot location (worked off dims for the legs for the hole, not the plate) and b) that allows me to try the top plate in 2 different orientations to see which I like the most.

 

[mattthemuppet2]

alright, finally have some time to finish up the thread I'll let the pictures do the talking:

top die for bending the 1/4" stainless legs


some test pieces, one leg and a broken bolt from the lower bending jig


setting up a jig to drill the pivot holes in the legs


yeah, that didn't work, so used a piece of 1/2" alu plate instead


drilling and reaming the linkage pivots



did the same for the end legs


yeah, that isn't going to work either


milling the bottom groove


turning the blank for the handle. Mystery hardwood from a neighbour's tree - I have a bunch that I'm burning in the fire pit.


ridiculously long drill and why I need my SB up and running as soon as possible!


taper turned, grooves added and then turned around to use my ball turner on the end. Wood cuts easy but boy does it make a mess.


and finished! Base is a piece of curly cherry that a friend gave me









works a treat and the wife is super happy with it. She really likes the "look" too, so it's ornamental as well as functional! Needs a bit of modding - the bottom groove is a bit slippery, so I'll be adding cross grooves to that, and I need to add a few extra cross grooves to the top. I'll do that tomorrow

 

[Boswell]

that came out very nice !

 

[mattthemuppet2]

thanks! I'm really happy that it's done (well, almost) Now I need to clean up all the mess over my lathe, might be easier just to take it to pieces and give it a thorough going over!

 

[ericc]

Wow! Beautiful. That's putting the machines to use. What went wrong in the above pictures? Came loose?

 

[mattthemuppet2]

thanks! I make her a present at least once a year (one year I made a stainless mortar and pestle) - she loves them and I get to justify having my machines

The wood jig didn't work as it flexed too much and I needed to hold the work rigidly so that the holes came out straight and the stainless didn't work harden. The angle vise didn't work in the upright position as the handle end hit the head of the mill before the cutter hit the work Just part of figuring out what works and what doesn't.

 

[mattthemuppet2]

fixed up a couple of niggles and now it crushes walnuts like they're not even there. Blowing my own trumpet I know, but this is the best nut cracker I've ever used

 

[hman]

You might oughta add something to the stamped legend - call it Mk 1.1, eh wot?

 

[pinkpanda3310]

Nice nut chomper

 

[mattthemuppet2]

You might oughta add something to the stamped legend - call it Mk 1.1, eh wot?

I thought about that, but was too lazy to disassemble it enough to stamp another number on it

Nice nut chomper

thanks! Keeping my eyes open for some pecans to give those a shot, maybe treat myself to some Brazil nuts at some point. I know what, my wife's birthday is coming up soon, I can buy some for her birthday!