Nutcracker

thingiverse

This is my submission for pattywac's festive competition - a nutcracker design. Although you might not be able to crack nuts with this one, it can easily be customized as per your choice. Due to some overhand errors, I had to print the parts multiple times and split them into smaller sub-parts. The model is designed to fit on the Cupcake's build platform and uses the z-axis to push the lever down. It still needs a hat, arms, and a mustache. This was my first attempt at designing something in SketchUp for 3D printing, and I am quite pleased with how it turned out. Don't forget to use 2 M5 bolts (from your old extruder), 2 short M3 bolts, 2 bottle caps, a hot glue gun, and sandpaper or Dremel (optional). The assembly process involves slotting in the left and right body pieces into the core through the top holes, inserting the jaw piece into the middle of the core and securing it with the M5 bolts, and gluing bottle caps onto the lower head piece and the jaw. Finally, decorate with a silly expression using a marker and (optionally) position on a cooled build platform in Makerbot to use the z-axis for crushing something in its mouth!