How to Make Wooden Nutcracker

The Parts

• 1

  Cut 2 lengths of 2-by-4-inch scraps with the handsaw, to 2 1/2 inches and 4 inches. Cut the plywood sheet to 2 4-by-9-inch strips.

• 2

  Place one of the 9-inch strips flat on your work surface. Spread wood glue on both of the the 2-by-4-inch scraps' flat slides. Wait 30 seconds. Place the scraps on the 9-inch strip so that they are flush with its ends, leaving a 2 1/2-inch gap between them. Place the other 9-inch strip onto the 2-by-4-inch scraps.

• 3

  Place protective cardboard squares on the clamp grips. Place the clamps 1 1/2 inches from the ends of the structure. Tighten the clamps. Wipe off the excess glue with cardboard squares. Let the glue set for at least 30 minutes. Remove the clamps.

• 4

  Place the structure flat on band saw. Set the saw's fence to one-half inch. Run the structure through the band saw. Set the fence to 2 1/2 inches. Flip the structure over. Run it through the band saw. This way, you remove the 2-by-4-inch scraps' rounded edges.

• 5

  Label the end with the 2 1/2 scrap "top" and the other "bottom." Label one of the 9-inch sides "front" and the other "back." Draw an "X" five-sixteenths of an inch from the back and 3 1/8 inches from the top.

• 6

  Attach the five-sixteenths-inch drill bit to the drill press. Place the nutcracker on the drill press. Drill completely through the nutcracker at the "X."

• 7

  Center an "X" mark on the side of the one-half-inch-wide strip, 2 1/2 inches from one of its ends. Attach the one-quarter-inch drill bit to the drill press. Drill completely through the wood scrap at the "X."

Painting

• 8

  Draw the nutcracker's hat and features on the top and side of the nutcracker. Carve out the hat and features with the woodcarving tool.

• 9

  Sand all surfaces, except the 3-inch dowel, thoroughly. Use coarse grain sandpaper first, then medium, then fine. Wipe off the sawdust between passes.

• 10

  Apply a coat of shellac finish to the 8-inch length of wood. Let the shellac dry. Sand off the raised wood fibers gently with fine-grain sandpaper. Brush on a second coat of shellac.

• 11

  Cover the nutcracker's outside with a coat of acrylic primer. Let the primer dry. Paint the nutcracker to your liking. When the paint is completely dry, cover all surfaces of the nutcracker with shellac finish.

• 12

  Lay the nutcracker on its side. Place the 8-inch lumber inside the nutcracker's opening so that all drill holes are lined up. Insert the 3-inch dowel. Gently tap it into the one-quarter-inch drill hole of the 8-inch wood until both ends are flush with the nutcracker's sides.