Back in business! (CP)

Whistle
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Well, I finally got the shop up and running and started a new batch of whistles over the weekend. In the meantime, I have some oldies but goodies to hopefully tempt y’all with and thereby stimulate our sluggish economy. Following the government’s offering stimuli to increase business, I’m offering any of these with free shipping.

From left to right:
D+ in Acetal polymer: this was an early model, and that low C fingerhole is not optimally placed. However, if you have a decent pinky stretch you will be able to reach it. In light of this, I’m offering this one for $250 rather than the usual $265.

Australian Boyakka in D: Very handsome wood. The photo doesn’t do it justice. Note that the fingerholes etc still need some finishing work, but I’ll do all that before I ship it .

Satinwood D: again the photo doesn’t do it justice. This wood has some nice iridescence which shows up under bright light.

Imbuia in Eb
Padauk in Eb: This has not been a popular key, so I’m offering these at $200 each.

Mismatched Olivewood D: This is a head from one whistle and the body from another. The other corresponding parts self destructed on the lathe, but these were too nice to toss on the trash heap. I can finish them with either brass or stainless and since it’s a mismatch, the price is $200.

In the batch just started, I have the following unspoken for:
Dymondwood in blue/green-suitable for D,C, or D+
Cocobolo
Rosewood
Mexican Mystery Wood: I found two pieces of this wood at the resort we visited this past spring. They were using it to repair a bridge over a mangrove swamp! I don’t know what it is, but it’s very hard, with a nice tight grain, sort of medium/dark brown. I’m keeping one as a souvenir, but the other is up for grabs.

Thanks for looking!

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Pretty! All of them are so much prettier than… any whistle I own, actually.

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The Cocobolo is sold..

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Could it be Ipe? It’s certainly used for similar purposes in of South America and gaining popularity here in the US for outdoor structural projects. It’s fairly dense stuff, nice tight grain but an undistinguished looking brown timber otherwise.

Feadoggie

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Hi Paul:

Could you take some pictures of the wood to see what it looks like. Maybe when you finish the cylinder, it could be a good time for the photo. Thanks.

Carlos

PS- I’m still finding for some Caoba wood and Roble for my whistles. As soon as I get a good timber, I send it to you. Saludos.

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Ipe is a definitel possibility. I will take a pic when it’s finished.
BTW-- the D in Boyakka, Eb in Imbuia, and the unfinished Rosewood and Cocobolo are sold. Many thanks.

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The ipe I had once made a bright yellow sawdust, even though the wood is dark brown. It’s quite dense.

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Yes, isn’t that interesting? I’ve also been warned that , as with many tropical woods, the dust can cause allerigic reactions on contact or if inhaled. Work safe!

Feadoggie

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Good advice! One of the improvements in my new shop is a better dust collection system. I’ve always worn a good dust mask. I’ve also started bringing home disposable surgical gowns from work to use during really dusty whistle making “operations”…
(No I’m not stealing OR supplies: these are ones that get opened and then for some reason never used. They’d be trashed otherwise)

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An interesting piece of trivia about ipe: it is rated to the same degree of fire resistance as concrete.

Not that this has any application for whistles–unless, of course, you play really fast. :wink:

Lovely whistles!

–James

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Tell us a little about your new shop.

I’ve been through four shops in the 10 years that I’ve been making whistles. Love to hear about your shop.