Nuts

[Dalboy]

With Christmas looming I thought I had better turn to making presents, these where meant to be done for last year but got put into a box and forgotten about. So out they came and have now started to make some jigs to get a little routing done on them.

Yes you guessed it they are soldier nut crackers. This is as far as I have got todate.

 

[flexi]

Fantastic mate....you have been busy!!

 

[sammy]

Nice work Derek, I'm thinking of having a go at one of those myself before Christmas. Good luck with the rest of the project.
George

 

[Penpal]

CHRISTMAS cometh Derek faster than we think. Good solid preparation in there, enjoy.

Peter.

 

[Bill Mooney]

A good little army Derek. Love to see them finished.

 

[Dalboy]

Thank you guys will post updates as I go but first need to make some jigs to make the slots in the bodies. The reason for the jigs when there are only 5 is that if they work out will make some for Christmas 2018. Now that is preparing early

A good little army Derek. Love to see them finished.

So will I Bill a year in the making have brought lots of coloured string and frilly bits for the uniform as well as some nice looking buttons from China

 

[fortress]

Excellent Derek, I love those little details.

 

[Terry Q]

Excellent Derek. I make items for my granddaughters to paint. Last year it was snowmen. I believe you have just shown me this year's project.

 

[Graham_C]

Love these Derek

 

[silver]

looks good Derek. Nice work.

The last pic looks as though she is in a straight jacket..

 

[Dalboy]

looks good Derek. Nice work.

The last pic looks as though she is in a straight jacket..

That is the wife nutcracker:wink:

 

[ni9eofse7en]

Impressed. Looking forward to finished items.

 

[Toon]

That looks really good Derek, might try one myself if I get the chance.

 

[wm460]

Looking great Derek.

 

[Dalboy]

Thanks guys sorry for late reply but with what has happened with my mum I did not get back into the shed. But I am back on track and have been working on the bodies of the nutcrackers. Routed all the slots for the lever and also chiseled out deeper as the router would not go that deep as well as me forgetting to angle the jig when I made it. Picture shows before the final clean out of the slots to accept the lever.
Now i need to drill some holes for the levers to pivot as well as to add strength for the arms and legs.

 

[Penpal]

Very clean work mate, curious now to see the finished result.

Peter.

 

[Dalboy]

Since my dear Mum was taken in hospital and now returned home with a clean bill of health, I just could not get back into the shed and do any work. I did try to kick start with the Razor pens and Seam ripper I made the other day.
Anyway today was a turning point and have spent the whole day in there.
The nut crackers are once again on the move.
Been drilling holes for dowels, cutting dowels and sealing the body and legs after glueing the legs in place. Drilled the arms for the dowel that also is the pivot for the lever.
Found some thin ply for the hat brims cut these out and stuck them to the hats.
I now have the body and legs, arms and lever arm, head and hat assemblies These all still need glueing, this will be done after painting but first I still need to make the feet.
And not forgetting the bases for them all

 

[wm460]

Busy boy again Derek.

 

[Penpal]

Ready to foot the bill mate.

Peter.

 

[Dalboy]

Thank you Mark and Peter.
Arms now cut and re glued ready for bits and pieces also feet made and bases cut out. Still need to make various bit for them to hold and drill holes for them, then it is a case of a strip down so that I can start painting.

Can you guess what each soldier will be holding