Abstract: An impacting nut cracker which utilizes an impacting plunger activated by a compression spring or electrical solenoid to deliver a sharp blow to an aligned adjustable anvil to provide a stroke of measured distance to a nut confined against a tailstock anvil, the position of which is determined by use of a sector gear and gear rack. A slidable and transparent guard over the impact area prevents excessive dispersion of the fractured shell. A concavity in the tailstock anvil and in the adjustable anvil causes a circular edge to engage each end of the nut to cause circular fractures beneficial in achieving greater uniformity in the fracture pattern of the shell.