mcraigl Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Anyone know if there's a practical reason why the working area of a traditional nutcracker is behind the hinge rather than in front of it like a set of tongs? If there's a functional reason then maybe I'll revise my christmas gift plans. Will pick up some nuts on the way home and test them out. Otherwise I think most of the kinfolk would like the miniature tongs type nutcracker I'm planning since it looks a lot like my BS'ing tongs. In reviewing the BP for a nutcracker I was reminded about the meat picks and will do those too since they're so quick and easy. Time's short, everyone better get a crackin' on those presents. I know I'm behind the 8-ball this year. ML Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finnr Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Pliers work, dunno why you couldn't do mini tongs. Finnr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitebear Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 the reason the working is done behind the pivot is becasue there is more force there. so you don't have to squeeze as hard to make them work more efficiently. but i have used "tong" type as well and they work fine. Son Daughtry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_sandy_creek_forge Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 for an example, take a pair of linesman pliers, GENTLY squeeze you finger in the jaw, now GENTLY squeeze you finger behind the pivot using the same amount of force on the handles. Feel the difference? Just don't ask me the formula for the physics behind it -Aaron @ the SCF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferrous Beuler Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 the reason the working is done behind the pivot is becasue there is more force there. so you don't have to squeeze as hard to make them work more efficiently. but i have used "tong" type as well and they work fine. Son Daughtry Like Son says, easy workings. I assume you are talking about the chrome colored V shape we are all accustomed to seeing, machine made. When did these come into being the commonly seen item, after WWII? What was around before that?Dan. There ain't no smily face for just me looking stupid, so just picture me looking stupid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Turner Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Sorry no help here I use my hands to crack nuts ;). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitebear Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Dan, these common ers were actually vrey common in the early 19th century and mid to late 18th century. peopel are very ingenious when it comes to means of getting to things to eat. Son Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitebear Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 aaron, the physics behind it is simple. It is two basic levers. if you think about it in it most simple form, it's like the pivot being the fulcrum and legs being the lever itself and your hand being the force. it's more efficient to the nut BEHIND the fulcrum instead of in front of it becasue...the pivot acts as a stop so your not actualy using the pivot as a pivot...your using it as a place where the two legs are connected and won't come un-connected. if you think about it in terms of pieces...why use three pieces meaning the legs the fulcrum and the force...in stead of just two the fulcrum and the force. it's more efficiant and takes less materials to make. and when you think about it simply it makes sence. Son Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcraigl Posted December 5, 2007 Author Share Posted December 5, 2007 Well, I bought some mixed nuts on the way home from work last night. I need to make the jaws open a little farther for the larger walnuts. Pecans, Brazil nuts, almonds, and those little round super hard ones (have no idea what they're called) all worked really nice. Will also make a couple of other modifications to the design, one being no "set" transition at the back of the boss. That created a weak spot that I can bend with some amount of effort. On the next set I'll just leave it full thickness and start the taper for the reins at that point. I think I'll get to play in the shop tonight so I'll see if I can't take a pic or two to post up. When you're used to working with 1/2" + material it's kind of surprising how fast you can move 3/8" square. Kind of fun actually. Mr. Turner... You da man if you crack brazil nuts by hand. I doubt my granny can do it though, so I'll keep trying to work out just the right tong/nut cracker for the rest of the family. McL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 The black walnuts are a little tough to crack by hand, but the English walnuts can be cracked faster by hand than by using a nut cracker. Save the shells. The shells are an excellent material for starting a fire in the forge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 hazelnuts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcraigl Posted December 5, 2007 Author Share Posted December 5, 2007 That's what they are. Thanks Thomas. Son, I'm not sure I buy the physics description. The leverage is related to the proportional length from the pivot of both sides of the fulcrum. Whether they're both on the same side of the fulcrum or opposite sides makes no difference. Although I can see how it takes less material, and in today's mass production world that is important to manufacturers. The one explanation I can come up with right now for the straight nutcrackers is that you have a great size range for a given length of tool. Unless you made the jaw part of the tongs style as long as the handles you don't get as great of maximum opening while maintaining a nearly zero closure. I think I get to play in the shop tonight so I'll goof around with a couple possible modifications. I know have nuts to experiment with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mende Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 Sorry no help here I use my hands to crack nuts ;). same here :cool: i get em between my index and my thumb and squeeze with the other hand .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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