Materials
- If you want a nutcracker that really cracks nuts, choose strong, resilient materials. For wooden nutcrackers, linden wood is the traditional choice, but maple and walnut are also good, sturdy choices. Use pine or fir only if your nutcracker is decorative because those woods aren't strong enough to hold up to actual nut-cracking duties.
- Most cast metals, including aluminum, are strong enough. Precious metals, such as gold and silver, are too soft. They can be used in decorative accents, however, or as plating for nutcracker projects.
Fired porcelain and other clays are too brittle to withstand the force needed to crack a nut. So use metal components embedded in the clay to do the actual work, and use the clay to embellish and decorate instead. Cast resin, plaster, plastic and acrylic should be used only around a metal skeleton as well.
Read more: Homemade Patterns for Nutcrackers | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5986331_homemade-patterns-nutcrackers.html#ixzz1rlvgQxvE
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