Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The Pecan Blaster is a build-it-yourself, one-pecan-at-a-time cracker—not a retail appliance. It uses two opposing appliance solenoids to strike a pecan held between shaped bolt heads. A sliding mount adjusts the gap for different nut sizes, while a clear shield helps contain shell fragments and triggers the strike through a microswitch when closed.
How the Pecan Blaster cracks a pecan
Larry Cotton’s Make: design adapts the inertia principle used in older one-at-a-time pecan crackers. Two heavy-duty appliance solenoids face each other, with a pecan positioned between conically recessed bolt heads on their plungers. One solenoid is fixed; the other slides to accommodate different pecan sizes and can kick back when the nut is struck.
With the pecan positioned and both plungers pulled outward, closing the clear shield activates a microswitch and fires the solenoids simultaneously. The shield is intended to contain flying shell pieces. As Cotton puts it, “A shield is necessary to keep pecan bits from flying toward your face.”
What the project includes—and what it takes to build
Make: describes the project as moderate difficulty, estimates 8–16 hours to complete, and lists a project price estimate of $0–$50. These are the page’s estimates, not a current cost quote or independently updated build-time assessment. The guide calls for woodworking, fabrication, solenoid modification, and wiring a mains-powered circuit.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
- Heavy duty spring loaded nutcracker - Easy cracking nuts, pecan,hazelnuts, almonds, walnut, brazil nuts, etc. NOTE: MAY NOT WORK FOR HARD BLACK WALNUT,MACADAMIA AND SIMILAR HARD SHELL NUTS.
- More convenient to use compare with traditional crackers - Save using this cracker without injuring yourself with traditional cracker and makes cracking nuts a lot of fun!
- High Quality Wood Handles- Can hold on tight for perfect cracking, Instead of whole metal handle that chill you hand, this wood handle cracker is your best choice to crack nuts in cold winter!!
- Material: Enameled die casting aluminum with high quality wood handles which can hold on tight for perfect cracking.
- Plier Hole Diameter (Max.): 2"; Total Length:(approx.) 6.89". (This product can also work as a bottle opener.).
- A wood base, rubber feet, and a catch tray.
- Two heavy-duty 115/120VAC appliance solenoids, with one fixed mount and one sliding mount.
- Modified ¼-inch bolts with conical recesses, plus springs.
- Acrylic rails and a clear shield, an aluminum guide rail and switch actuator, and a microswitch.
- Wiring and a power cord, along with fabrication and assembly tools such as a drill press and saws.
The materials list names a Dormeyer 7467S solenoid and Electronic Goldmine item G20264B. The article also refers to an Amazon listing under item B01MQ4H6OP as a historical source for solenoids. These references do not establish current availability or prove that another solenoid is a compatible substitute. Before buying parts, verify voltage, mounting and dimensions, stroke, duty, and mechanical fit against the design.
How to operate it
- With the machine unplugged, inspect the build and verify that the clear shield and microswitch are installed as intended.
- Before use, test the interlock with the shield open. The guide says the solenoids should not fire in that condition.
- Open the shield and use the hardwood lever to move the sliding solenoid for the pecan’s size.
- Place the pecan between the shaped bolt heads and position it for the strike.
- Pull both plungers outward, then close the shield to trigger the solenoids.
- If the pecan does not crack on the first strike, the author suggests trying again and checking that both plungers were fully pulled outward.
What results to expect
Cotton reports that both pecan halves usually survive and separate from most of the shell, though some nuts break into quarters or smaller pieces. He considers the smaller pieces usable for many baking or snacking purposes. This is a qualitative account from the project author: the guide supplies no measured meat-yield rate, throughput figure, or controlled comparison with another cracker.
Rank #2
- Multifunction: Heavy duty nut cracker can easily crack almost all kinds of nuts including pecan, walnut, hazelnuts, almonds, English walnut, Brazil nuts, etc. But Not suitable for black walnuts and macadamia. The adjustable thread cone fits the length of the nut, while the grooves trap the nut and prevent it from flying away.
- Strong Construction: This Nutcracker features a stylish wood base and sturdy steel construction. Heavy duty nut cracker withstands wear and tear.
- Easy To Use: The nut cracker is designed with lever principle, just push the handle down, the crack of the nut can expand rapidly, making it break without damaging the nut, which is effective and labor-saving.
- Adjusted Size: The card position of the nut cracker is adjustable to accommodate different sized nuts, after cracking the walnut skin, the walnut can appear completed, avoiding unnecessary waste.
- A Great Gift: The pecan nut cracker is not only a daily tool used by the family, but also a time-saving and labor-saving tool for bakeries, restaurants, candy stores and others. Meanwhile, it also can be a good gift to family and friends as a Christmas or Thanksgiving gift.
Safety and troubleshooting limits
This build combines moving plungers with a 115VAC circuit. The clear shield and microswitch interlock are important parts of the described design, but Make:’s project guide is not a standards certification or an independent electrical safety review. Builders need to be comfortable fabricating parts and working carefully with mains-voltage wiring; the article does not establish that the completed device is certified or independently tested.
- Solenoids fire while the shield is open: unplug the machine and check the microswitch and wiring before using it.
- The sliding assembly or bolts do not move smoothly: inspect their alignment and movement using the guide’s assembly instructions.
- A pecan does not crack: try another strike and confirm the plungers were pulled fully outward before triggering.
The guide also provides approximate alignment and spacing dimensions. Follow those assembly details rather than assuming the parts will work correctly if installed out of alignment.
Rank #3
- SIMPLICITY: The simplest tool for a job is the best. Meet the Texan “York” Nut Sheller, a nut sheller that exudes simplicity
- PERFORMANCE & DURABILITY: Tempered steel built for a specific purpose without any embellishments or unnecessary extras
- EASY OPEN DESIGN: The design enables you to crack most nuts with ease with a process made much simpler than with most conventional crackers
- LITTLE FORCE NEEDED: A simple applying of pressure will do the job without the need for a power socket
- ELEGANCE: The Texan York Nut Sheller fulfills your needs - simply and elegantly
Is this the right pecan cracker for you?
The Pecan Blaster is best understood as a maker project for someone who wants to build a mains-powered mechanism and has the tools and skills to fabricate and assemble it. It is not a ready-to-use appliance, and the historical solenoid references do not identify a verified current replacement.
Cotton’s article mentions rubber-band-powered and semi-automatic crackers as other one-at-a-time approaches, but it does not provide a controlled comparison of build effort, cost, cracking performance, or meat yield. The practical choice is whether you want to build and adjust this mechanism yourself or prefer a finished cracker; the project page’s cost and performance descriptions should not be treated as a current head-to-head evaluation.
Rank #4
- Easy cracking nuts: Includes pecan, hazelnuts, almonds, walnut, brazil nuts, etc. Note: may not work for hard black walnut, macadamia and similar hard shell nuts
- Adjusted Size: The card position can be adjusted for different sized nuts, after cracking the walnut skin, the walnut can appear completed, avoiding unnecessary waste
- Strong Construction: Mounted on beautiful hardwood base,heavy and strong. Nickel plated all steel construction,durable and withstands wear and tear
- Lever Nut Cracker: Lever design for easy cracking nuts. Simply just push down the wood handle to crack nuts
- If you're not completely satisfied simply let us know and we will offer a prompt refund or replacement, no questions asked
Source: Larry Cotton, “Pecan Blaster: A High-Power Inertia Nutcracker,” Make:, published January 10, 2019 and page-dated March 10, 2023 as an update.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
