I spent all day yesterday NOT making another whistle, which will eventually be no.4. I had designed a new mouthpiece and block and tested it on a tiny Gsharp (so I didn’t waste good pipe). Just thought, next time make it tunable and I could use the top again! Duh!
Anyway, FOUR fipple blocks later and not a peep out of the thing. Nothing. I reshaped the blade, fiddled around, cleaned things, sanded things, used bigger things - nothing. I then discovered that the dowelling I was using was conical, not cylindrical. Carefully measured at the bottom end, sanded down to fit and - too small. Only four goes to discover this! I had “obtained” the dowelling from our local tip, where it had had a previous existence as a wine rack, so can’t really complain, but I was not happy. Today I spent a very long time cutting a new block from a piece of nylon stuff - very hard work with a junior hacksaw. I now have an excellent Bb and am very happy. If at first you don’t succeed . . . Sorry, no photos as camera still dead and I now want to buy pipe, delrin, sharper saw, etc etc.
Hi Devondancer
Don’t know if this is any help but when I make my fipples I use an easy to carve hardwood like cherry or maple and then when the’re fitted I coat the outside surfaces with super glue.
Its quick,easy and waterproof.
cheers
I’m not sure where you would find it in England but Acetal (roughly a generic for delrin) can be obtained from http://www.usplastics.com
Also, brass tubing from http://www.specialshapes.com
Thanks, both -
Will try those tips.
[Thread revival. - Mod]
USP will not ship to UK, however, Kmac will if you use your shipping account number. The Delrin tubes are at http://kmac-distribution.com/Plastics/acetal-delrin-celcon-acetron-tubes.htm
I don’t think devondancer is here anymore?
Oh dear. You’re right, he’s not.
Nevertheless, the general info provided can still be of use to whistlers and whistlemakers. Here’s to devondancer.
Devondancer was a lady - in every sense of the word. She was a close and dear friend. It was an incredible shock to me to see her resurrected thread. I literally had just written to one of her surgeons - my friend - seconds before seeing this thread. Wow… Deja Vu…
I have in my possession some of Lesley’s handmade whistles. When these instruments are played, one can hear the results of her experiments getting better and better. Although I have never attempted it, I bet if one searched in the Poststructural Pub, one could read her story. The members of this board supported her and her husband Roland, through some very dark hours.
I think I will go away and let my heart rate return to normal, now. All is well.
Best to all.
Byll
My mistake.