How to make a really loud whistle out of wood?
- Thread starter Tjurved
- Start date
-
Come along to the amazing Summer Moot (21st July - 2nd August), a festival of bushcrafting and camping in a beautiful woodland PLEASE CLICK HERE for more information.
I don't know much about whistles
I was told that low notes carry better over open land or water (like foghorns)
But high notes cut through stuff you can't see through, like undergrowth, brush and (in my case) stage curtains
So, for the woods you'll want a screamer rather then a moaner
The smaller the chamber the higher the sound, I'm sorry I can't help any more
I was told that low notes carry better over open land or water (like foghorns)
But high notes cut through stuff you can't see through, like undergrowth, brush and (in my case) stage curtains
So, for the woods you'll want a screamer rather then a moaner
The smaller the chamber the higher the sound, I'm sorry I can't help any more
Ya fox40 whistles are good, I have a fox40 classic myself, just don't blow them in your backyard at night... Don't ask...
As for wooden whistles, HERE is a nice tutorial with pictures for making one from a piece of elder though I'm sure you could just use another type of wood and drill a hole through it if you didn't have any elder. I think Jon is a member of this forum btw.
As for wooden whistles, HERE is a nice tutorial with pictures for making one from a piece of elder though I'm sure you could just use another type of wood and drill a hole through it if you didn't have any elder. I think Jon is a member of this forum btw.
Ok thanks for the tips. Perhaps it is very hard to make a loud whistle out of wood...
.
Haha that was funny
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQQXYNaoLj4
Can't vouch for how loud they are in person, but might be worth a shot Looks mighty fun, I need a local source for willow....
Can't vouch for how loud they are in person, but might be worth a shot
Looks mighty fun, I need a local source for willow....
I'm going to try this tomorrow, will try to video it all (from making to the end, if it works that is!)
I've got quite good at the Elderflower whistles and I've nearly finished some made from seasoned wood (I've actually found some Wild Service wood).
I've drilled the chamber using a cordless drill and gone in about half way. The sound of the three I'm working on does vary as you can't make one the same as the next I guess. I'd recommend making one from seasoned wood because all three that I'm working are LOUD!
I've drilled the chamber using a cordless drill and gone in about half way. The sound of the three I'm working on does vary as you can't make one the same as the next I guess. I'd recommend making one from seasoned wood because all three that I'm working are LOUD!
Instrument makers (flutes, penny-whistles etc) like to use hard, dense woods as they give the 'brightest' sound, so a seasoned fruitwood would be good.......bone, antler and horn also work well
But if you know what you're doing (and have the skill and tools)you can make a working whistle out of anything
But if you know what you're doing (and have the skill and tools)you can make a working whistle out of anything
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQQXYNaoLj4
Can't vouch for how loud they are in person, but might be worth a shot
My Granddad used to make these, they can be very loud. The only problem is they don't last very long. After a while the bark starts to crack and it stops working. They are fun to make though and probably the easiest way to make a whistle in the woods.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQQXYNaoLj4
Can't vouch for how loud they are in person, but might be worth a shot
you can also use Rowan which is very sappy with easy to remove bark tube
also you can make a Slide whistle using the same idea
ATB
Duncan
About 60 years ago, when I was primary school age, we lived backing onto a railway. Periodically workers used to come along the embankment, cutting back the vegetation so it wouldn't catch fire from the steam engines. There were willows on the embankment and one of the workers showed me how to make a whistle in pretty much the same way as above. You're right though, they dry out pretty quickly and the bark splits.
Jim
we built whistles like these on my cub scouts walking staffs I was just blowing my son's whistle tonight and it is still loud 4 years later. Here is a link with basic instructions, It took a little playing to get things loud.
http://www.e-scoutcraft.com/wood_carving/whistle.html
http://www.e-scoutcraft.com/wood_carving/whistle.html
You can also use lengths of small bamboo. Either use a node as the bottom of the whistle, or you can make a small wood plug, glued in as the bottom. The bamboo is quite hard so makes a good sound. I'll try fishing the one I have got...somewhere.
and post a pic.
and post a pic.
Ok thanks for the tips. Perhaps it is very hard to make a loud whistle out of wood...
Haha that was funny
Not at all. They are easy to make and they can get loud. I would make several of different sizes and pick the loudest.
If you have a piece of antler, they make great whistles as well.
You can also use lengths of small bamboo. Either use a node as the bottom of the whistle, or you can make a small wood plug, glued in as the bottom. The bamboo is quite hard so makes a good sound. I'll try fishing the one I have got...somewhere.
That is a great idea! Never tried that. I will have to keep an eye out for bamboo of the right size.
Similar threads
