A six inch cubic metal sculpture on top of which is a small slightly-concave platform and a dial labelled "Depth". A handcrank protrudes from one side.
Place the nut on the platform and start cranking. The platform descends into the bowels of the sculpture where a miniature circular saw traverses its entire longitudinal circumference.
Once that's completed the platform rises up again. The meat of the nut can be removed and the bisected shell can be tipped into the integral refuse container for easy incineration.-- FlyingToaster, Mar 07 2012 It's amazing how many ingenious solutions to fundamental problems can be devised by the collective intelligence of the Halfbakers.
Sometimes, after visiting this site and being overwhelmed by the repertoire of skills and aptitudes represented here, I start to believe that, if only we could turn our collective attention to the grave problems afflicting mankind, it would be a complete waste of fucking time.
[+]-- MaxwellBuchanan, Mar 07 2012 And thats the worst type of time to waste.-- AusCan531, Mar 08 2012 Whereas inventing a whole slough of overly-complicated improvements on the nutcracker is a noble contribution to humanity. [+]-- Alterother, Mar 08 2012 If you build a better nutcracker, the world will beat a path to your door. Better have those mantraps ready.
re: the idea, a small suggested modification: instead of a circular saw, how about an oscillating saw*? For nuts with close tolerances, that might avoid scoring the meat.-- mouseposture, Mar 08 2012 I'm feeling lathey.-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Mar 08 2012 //oscillating saw// I think the only technical problem would occur on those mutant peanuts where its two ovoids squished together... but I don't see a recip saw doing any better.-- FlyingToaster, Mar 09 2012 Try a cast saw. They cut through a hard cast but move harmlessly on the soft, pliable skin beneath; should work the same with a peanut wiggling loosely inside the shell. Should also do well with walnuts, pecans, any other nuts that move in the shell.-- Alterother, Mar 09 2012 I agree with [2 fries]. Turn the nut on a horizontal axis, with a couple of rollers each side of a blade. The blade gradually creeps up, and when the shell is cut through all around, the nut falls out of the holders.-- baconbrain, Mar 09 2012 //Try a cast saw.//
I'll remember that if my nuts are ever in a cast which is unlikely. (Nude musicals notwithstanding)-- AusCan531, Mar 09 2012 [bb] that would work if you only had one-sized nut.-- FlyingToaster, Mar 09 2012 Um, mine are in two sizes.-- baconbrain, Mar 09 2012 Yeah yeah, let me guess. One is the size of a grapefruit but the other one is the big one.-- AusCan531, Mar 10 2012 Sadly not. But then, I'm not from Australia or Canada.-- baconbrain, Mar 10 2012 random, halfbakery