Making a Low D whistle (yes, again!)

Whistle
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I’ve tinkered with making whistles a couple of times over the last few years using the instructions and information ound on various wep pages, and recently got the compulsion again to try making a Low D. I figured that maybe since I have a proper shop/tools this time around (instead of trying to work from the kitchen countertop of my old apartment) maybe I could get better results. So far my soprano whistles have turned out OK, not great but a good start, but a low D with a friendly finger stretch continues to elude me.

On my latest attempt I used 1" OD (actually it measures to 1 1/16" with a wall thickness of approx. 1/32") type M copper pipe, on the guess that this might make finger spacing a little more friendly. The “window” is a rectangle approximately 1/4" x 3/4", fipple plug is about 1 1/2" long. Windway is rounded at the top (I didn’t square the pipe), 1/8" vertical at the apex. Musical length from blade to whistle end is 21 7/16", which works out, IIRC, to a length-to-bore ratio of something like 19.76; less than ideal, but I figured I’d try it anyway.

I used the Flutomat site to calc the hole placement and diameter to something I felt I could live with and ended up with a set of holes that are not much more closely-spaced than the ones on my Susato low D – which prompted me to try to make my own because it kills my hands.

Anyway, what I’m running into is that before I drilled the holes, I could sound a nice, strong bell tone by blowing with what I consider a “normal” amount of air, and – with a LOT more air – get a good octave. However, I drilled the bottommost hole – just a little over 1/4" diam. – and now unless I just barely exhale into the whistle it sounds clearly in the upper octave.

So, is the hole just not large enough, or do I still have fipple tuning to do? Or (my own suspicion) a combination thereof? Or is it simply because I’m using such a large bore?

I’ve also tried using a Sweetone C mouthpiece on 3/4" OD aluminum pipe a la the Bloody Hands whistle, and I see the same sort of behavior – anything stronger than a light breath sends the thing into the upper register.

Thanks for your indulgence!

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Just prima facie, I’d say your window is too deep and a tad too wide. I think the depth should be somewhere around 3/16 - 7/32, and the width should be at about 5/8 - 11/16. At 1/8" (0.125) your windway is a bit too high. Narrow it down by about fifteen to twenty thou. If your blade is flat, the position of the edge is going to be more critical than if it follows the ID radius. Also make sure it’s got a rounded edge, not real sharp. The angle of impingement on the airstream is critical, as well, and should be something over 9 degrees.

Your smallest finger hole on a low D should be around 1/4, and it should be the third one up from the bell. Futz around with the Flutomat, sticking with a max of 7/16 as your largest hole, and favouring 3/8, or even 5/16.

Flutomat is precise, but unforgiving. Make sure you use a good set of calipers and get the ID and wall thickness right. I think you’re on the right track, but be prepared to make a few “sacrificial” whistles to get it 100%!
Cheers,
Bill Whedon