But I can’t find PVC here in the US with an inner bore of less than 13mm. Even 1/2" pipe, to me should be (give or take) 10mm, but isn’t. It’s 18mm. This is for drinking water. Is there a possibility that other ‘types’ of pipe might be called 1/2", and measure differently than this?
Please let me know if anyone has an idea. Thank you so much,
~bubbledragon
You can also Google “PVC pipe” and “dimensions” or variations thereof and get a list of sites that will tell you everything you never wanted to know about PVC pipe. The thin wall pipe you have is probably Schedule 20. If you get Schedule 40 pipe, it has the same outside diameter but thicker walls so the the inside diameter is smaller. Also makes for a sturdier whistle so when you drop the whistle on the floor at the stoplight and step on it later, you won’t hurt it.
Pipe and tubing sizes are the most arcane measuring systems on the planet. My dad was in the heating and air conditioning business for 40 years. I grew up around the stuff and still don’t fully understand it. Best bet is to go to a pipe supply house (look in the yellow pages), tell them what size you need and let them figure it out. Don’t be shy about asking for whistle material - these guys deal with plumbers all day, everyday. Selling a stick of PVC to a whistle builder will will seriously brighten up their day. Good luck on the whistle. Post pictures when you’re done!
The tweaker is correct. you would want cpvc pipe.It its sized the same as copper pipe. it is very easy to work with the 1/2" works well for your D
whistles The 3/4" works great for the low whistles but take my advice
wear a mask and vac all of your dust when working with this stuff the dust will make you have serious lung problems.
You folk are wonderful. Yes, indeed what I have is schedule 20. I picked it because it was flexible (I was making a cat tent. Poles need to bend, you know.) At the very least, this stuff makes fantastic marshmallow shooters.
But I’ll go back armed with a ruler and see what I can come up with. Maybe when I move out of this teeny appartment I can graduate to copper, eh? grin Thank you again. I will most certainly show off my finished product when it comes about.
Thanks for the boost of confidence when dealing with pipe supply people. I imagined they might be annoyed by a… err… pipe n00b just making whistles, but hey - something different.
I once saw someone on the TV make a whistle out of a carrot using only a pairing knife. It was a damn fine instrument! And the cook was a good player too. After a couple of tunes he ate it.
