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cutting walnuts (the nut)

I glue them to scrap wood and use the bandsaw. You could also use a table saw with this technique but the kerf is much larger. To save clean up I make a cut then I sand the walnut flat and then make another cut, sand and cut, etc. This leaves one side sanded flat so you only have to sand the other side. Of course if your going to put them on a turning you can simply turn the unsanded side.
 
As John recommends, gluing the irregular piece to a scrap that can be handled safely is probably the best method. I've made it a practice to use that method for anything irregular (shells, beads, etc.) that I want to use in either turning or other wood working/turning projects. Depending on the amount of holding power I need, I use anything from hot glue to CA. Haven't tried two sided tape yet but I ain't so sure I'd want to chance it.
 
I have used double-stick tape for holding inside/out ornament segments together for the first turning step and it works pretty good IF
  • there is good contact between the surfaces (they are flat)
  • The surfaces are clean
  • Momentary, heavy clamping pressure is used. Just put a c-clamp on the nutshell to the board and crank it down for a few seconds.
It's easy to release with a solvent or just some leverage with a chisel.

Use a fine-tooth blade or you will run into trouble! 6 tpi or finer.
 
The safest way to get nut slices is buy them from a store or catalog that sells jewlery supplys. I have seen them put can not remember where.
 
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