Holiday Nutcracker

Difficulty

Hard

Go nuts this holiday season and make this heirloom-quality nutcracker for someone you love! This fun and functional woodcraft project is designed to charm children of all ages. Before you begin, download the cutlist : www.dremel.com/webdav/dremel/document_library/dremel-en-us-misc-images/NUTCRACKER%20CUT%20LIST.pdf

You need

Tools

Supplies

Latex paint
Brush
Wood Glue

Materials

1" x 2" pine board 31" long
1" x 4" pine board 3-1/2" long
1" x 6" pine board 6" long
1/4" masonite 3" x 8 1/2"
1-1/4" diameter dowel rod 4" long
1" diameter dowel rod 21" long
3-1/2" round bun furniture foot
3/4" x 3-3/8" mug pegs
1/4" fluted dowel pins
Piping, eyes, nose & beard

L: Length, W: Width, H: Height, D: Diameter

Step 1 8

Step 1

Before you begin, download our cutlist (www.dremel.com/webdav/dremel/document_library/dremel-en-us-misc-images/NUTCRACKER%20CUT%20LIST.pdf). Once your pieces are cut and sanded, use wood glue to join the head to the hat as shown here. Tip: Smooth all edges before assembly. Glue all joints except for the jointed arms & mouth/lever, which must move for the cracker to function.

Step 2 8

Step 2

Assemble the arms as shown using wood glue.

Step 3 8

Step 3

Assemble body as shown, insert lever into correct position & drill a hole through all 3 pieces. The hole should be positioned 1 1/2" from top & 3/4" from back. Insert dowels from each side to secure.

Step 4 8

Step 4

Using wood glue attach the legs and feet as shown.

Step 5 8

Step 5

Now you're ready to attach the body to the legs and feet using wood glue again.

Step 6 8

Step 6

Using wood glue, assemble the masonite skirt you cut earlier around the base of the body.

Step 7 8

Step 7

Time to Assemble the arms. To do this, drill holes in the upper arms & insert dowel pins. Then drill holes in upper body sides, and insert pinned arms into the holes.

Step 8 8

Step 8

Attach the head to the assembled body and attach the square base to the feet that you cut earlier. Now for the best part, decorate your nutcracker as desired with latex paint or wood stains. Apply piping, eyes, nose, beard or any other embellishments with wood glue.

Warning

To reduce the risk of injury user must read instruction manuals for all tools used in this project. Wear eye and respiratory protection. Use clamps to support work piece whenever practical.