Not So XL Female nutcracker 2026, for smaller build plates below 300x300x300

Model Overview & Print Notes

XL and Not So XL Nutcracker 2026 Welcome to the build instructions for the 2026 XL and Not So XL Nutcrackers. Before You Start Connectors After experimenting with round connectors, I have reverted to a keyed connector system for the 2026 Nutcrackers. However, this uses a new keyed shape which, in many areas, actually helps to reduce the amount of support material required. There are two main connector sizes used throughout the model, along with a specific connector used for the base. There are a lot of individual parts in this model, so please make sure you are familiar with the part names before beginning the build. Pay particular attention to parts labelled Left and Right. Whenever I refer to Left and Right, this is from the Nutcracker's point of view, rather than from your point of view when looking at the model. Supports & Tolerances Supports are required for some parts of the model and are already enabled in the supplied 3MF files. I recommend setting Top Z Distance to 0.275 mm for easier support removal. Please make sure that all support material is completely removed from the connector holes before assembly. Even a small amount left inside a connector hole can affect the fit. If you find that a connector is slightly tight, particularly in an area that has been supported, you can scale the connector down by approximately 1–2%. There are many variables that can affect tolerances, including your printer, calibration and filament type. I have aimed for a happy medium with the tolerances so they should work well for most printers. I always recommend familiarising yourself with all the parts before beginning the final assembly. The Build 1. Base The base comes in two parts to create a two-tone appearance. The Lower Base has a raised ring which fits into the corresponding recess in the Upper Base. Place the Upper Base onto the Lower Base, making sure that the connector holes line up correctly and that all support material has been completely removed. Insert the 2 Base Connectors to secure the two sections together. 2. Boots Slide the Left and Right Boots into position. Insert 2 Long Connectors into each boot. 3. Boot Cuffs & Legs Slide the Boot Cuffs into position. Attach the Left and Right Legs using the same connectors, which pass through the cuffs and into the legs. 4. Lower Body Insert 4 Long Connectors and attach the Lower Body. 5. Upper Body Insert 3 Long Connectors into the Lower Body. Slide the Upper Body into position. Insert another 2 Long Connectors into the top of the Upper Body ready for the head assembly. Head Assembly 6. Face & Hair Assemble the Face and Hair together before attaching them to the body. Insert 2 Connectors into the Hair. Slide the Face into the front of the Hair. The fit is intentionally a little snug and should give a satisfying click as it moves into its correct position. Once the Face and Hair are assembled, place the complete head assembly onto the Upper Body using the connectors already installed. Hat Assembly 7. Lower & Middle Hat Insert 2 Connectors into the top of the Hair. Slide the Lower Hat onto the connectors, followed by the Mid Hat using the same connectors. 8. Top Hat Insert 2 Short Connectors and attach the Top Hat. Arm Assembly The arms are easiest to assemble separately before attaching them to the main model. 9. Right Arm Take all of the parts for the Right Arm. Start with the Right Hand. Insert: 2 Short Connectors into the top of the Hand 1 Short Connector into the side of the Hand Slide the Cuff into position. Insert another 2 Short Connectors. Next, insert 2 Long Connectors into the top of the Arm and slide the Shoulder Piece into position. Insert another 2 Long Connectors into the side. Once the complete Right Arm has been assembled, insert the entire arm assembly into the connector slots on the right side of the Nutcracker. 10. Left Arm Repeat the same process using the corresponding Left Arm parts. Once assembled, insert the complete Left Arm into the connector slots on the left side of the Nutcracker. Details & Decoration We'll now add the decorative parts, starting at the bottom of the Nutcracker and working upwards. 11. Boot Decorations Insert the 2 Gold Boot Decorations into the corresponding slots in the Boots. Although the files are labelled Left and Right, the two decorations themselves are the same. 12. Lower Body Decoration Place the Lower Body Inner Insert into position and secure it using 2 Short Connectors. Then insert the final Lower Body Decoration. 13. Belt Buckle The Belt Buckle simply slots into its corresponding position on the Belt. Upper Body Decoration The Male and Female Nutcrackers have slightly different upper-body decorations. 14. Female Nutcracker Insert the Inner Decoration and secure it using 2 Short Connectors. Then attach the final decorative piece over the top. 15. Male Nutcracker For the Male Nutcracker, the upper-body decoration consists of the Beard. Insert the Beard using 2 Short Connectors. Gold Buttons 16. Buttons Now attach the Gold Buttons. Please pay close attention to the filenames and make sure you are using the correct buttons for either the Male or Female Nutcracker. The buttons are also identified as: Top Middle Bottom Each button has a slightly different angle and length to follow the contour of the Upper Body. If you accidentally mix them up, use the shape and contour of the body to help identify the correct position. Teeth Decoration 17. Teeth Insert 1 Short Connector. Attach the Teeth Decoration Back, followed by the Teeth Insert. Face Details 18. Moustache / Lips For the Male Nutcracker, insert the: Left Moustache Right Moustache For the Female Nutcracker, insert the Lips instead of the Moustache pieces. 19. Cheeks For both the Male and Female Nutcrackers, insert the Left and Right Cheek Pieces. 20. Eyes & Eyelashes Insert the: Left Eye Right Eye Left Eyelashes Right Eyelashes Make sure the correct Left and Right parts are used. 21. Eyebrows Finally, complete the face by inserting the 2 Eyebrows. Final Hat Details 22. Snowflake Insert the Snowflake Decoration into the corresponding recess on the Hat. 23. Hat Rope The final part is the decorative Hat Rope. Position the Rope so that it rests over the two cones on either side of the Hat. Build Complete! Congratulations! You have now completed your 2026 XL or Not So XL Christmas Nutcracker. I hope you enjoy your finished model and have a great time printing and building it! Filaments used, Not So XL. Bambu basic maroon red, gold, black, white, blue XL, Bambu Matte dark blue, bambu basic, bronze, black, white, Not so XL, Bsambu basic mistletoe green, black, white, gold ## 3D Printing Settings see description

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