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While searching for different designs of pecan crackers, I came across the California Nut Cracker at this web site:
http://www.californianutcracker.com/PRODUCT.html

I'll try anything once so I turned a piece of white oak and used a piece of Jarrah for the plunger. You'll see from the video how it works, but I had to do a lot of trial and error to get mine to work and it does not work as easy and crack the same every time like the one in the video that is for sale. He did not show enough detail on the the plunger so I tried a number of different shaped steel inserts. I was out of pecans when I took the picture, The cracked one in the nut cracker is the last one I did. I ate a lot of pecan in the test process!!!!!!!!

You just load a pecan into it and bring the plunger down on top of it. Hold the plunger down with your index finger and give it a smack on the table.

I finished the pieces with clear matte spray.

Gallery

Comments

· In Loving Memory
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365 Posts
Looks good Jim, by your pecan pieces you must have the plunger just right. Real nice nut cracker.
 

· In Loving Memory
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229 Posts
Neat-O!!! Neat-O!!! Jim I want one!! Let me give you my Address :):) :)
Nice work cool video too…. Thanks for sharing.
 

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That is pretty slick Jim.
 

· Registered
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At first, I thought we were going to get a recipe. LOL

... don't remember eating Pecan crackers before… this ought'a be GOOD!

We get a Nut Cracker, one that breaks the shell of the nuts… LOL

I gotta say… that is one slick nut cracker for Pecans…
... they are always hard to crack without ending up with a bunch of small pieces!
... this cracker does a wonderful job of NOT breaking the inside into little pieces!
... you get unbroken halves of Pecans… A dream cracker come true!

You coulda saved them and made a Pecan Pie! LOL ... Betcha can't eat ONE! LOL

I had a piece of Pecan pie for Thanksgiving… It was SO GOOD! YUM YUMMM.

Thank you!
 

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Love it! What kind of steel inserts did you end up with?
 

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Super kool Jim. Works like a charm
 

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Looks great and I admire the fact that you are not afraid to try anything new. Love your confidence.
 

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Thank you all for all the nice comments!

Doe, I made some 3/4" drill rod inserts with about a .400 hole in them. The one in the base is short but I made the one in the plunger about 2" long for weight on the top of the pecan since the designer said the plunger did the cracking.

Kelly. I have a lot of machines and I like using them every day. This looked simple enough but finding that sweet spot to make the pecan crack just right tool more time than I thought. All I could see was a ring in the bottom with a hole in it so I made a matching one for the top with the same diameter. I'll try this in Arizona when I get more pecans and then I may make a new plunger if I find something works better.That guy in the video cracked 'em perfect every time!!!!!!!!!!!

Woodenfrog- you can buy one from California Nut Crackers that will work perfect. Then send me a PM with the dimensions of the rings and the plunger!!
 

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Neat.
 

· In Loving Memory
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That guy has a great idea Jim. I wonder did he patent it?.
Nice work on your version. Good choice of wood. Boyh Jarrah & oak are very tough & durable.
 

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This also fall into the category of "I Want One To", cool design…BC
 

· In Loving Memory
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Very cool invention! You did a great job copying this with no plans I may have to try this as we have lots of pecans and hickory nuts on my place. Do you think a washer above and below the nut would work? Maybe a fender washer?
 

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I used two forstner bits to make the hole and the counterbore-a 1" and a 3/4"
A washer might work.Tthe bottom has a round piece of steel with a hole in it, but I'm not sure what he used in the plunger. I have a similar ring in the plunger with the same size hole in it, but it is a 2" long piece of steel for weight.
 

· In Loving Memory
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Ahhh, the weight is probably important. I may experiment and use a section of small pipe/tubing inside the plunger.
 

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Excellent!Very practical idea.
 

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cool job
 

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I'm sure that we all will agree that yours looks nicer Jim. I'm now awaiting the MkII lever operated version, I'm sure that your wife isn't happy having it banging on her polished table!
 

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G'day, Harry. That is how I started out with the lever operated one and then I looked at other designs. This one was the most interesting and seemed easy to build, but I have not gotten to the true secret of it, yet. I like the experimenting part. Once it is perfected, it might sit on a shelf or I'll give it to one of my pecan cracking buddies in Arizona.
 
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