I am presently experimenting with producing a range of whistles in stainless steel. Has anyone out there had any previous experience with stainless steel instruments, I have never actually heared of one but I am sure there is something out there in someones dusty old whistle bag.
Also, where would be the best place to have the instrument road tested and reviewed.
Jetboy
Hi - Paul at Silkstone Whistles (in Yorkshire) made a high D prototype which he describes as “fight your way out the pub” material. It took a looong time to machine and was very tough on tools. Sounds good (have only heard it over the phone though).
Road tested - well I’ll happily review one tho’ don’t suppose anyone will listen 
…Serpent drives over his to show how indestructible they are.
Trisha
The best way to have it road tested and reviewed would be to pack it up and send it to me. Contact me via e-mail or pm to make arrangements.
I’ll warn you, though, that I’m brutally honest. Follow this link to a recent review of mine:
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=11662&highlight=syn+review
[quote]The best way to have it road tested and reviewed would be to pack it up and send it to me. Contact me via e-mail or pm to make arrangements.
I’ll warn you, though, that I’m brutally honest. Follow this link to a recent review of mine:
I’ll happily send you over my prototytpe when I get it sorted out. I have broad shoulders, I can take your criticism!. 
it is a bear to drill holes in and to machine. i don’t really see a need for such hard materials in pipes or whistles. i remember being up a sail boat mast and it took two complete batteries on the cordless drill, to drill a 1/4 " hole through a 1/4 " ss mast cap. that being said, Small Parts Inc.(www.smallparts.com) has a nice selection of ss, and many other things you might like.
best of luck on your endeavers 
tansy
Well, I will say that I am sure it would sound fantastic, but it is going to be rather ‘fantastic’ to machine and you will spend a lot of money in actually manufacturing whistles out of stainless steel as you will be going through a lot of bits rather quickly. Tough stuff. I made one that I still have, and I really like it, so I hope you are successful and run with it!
Also, just some helpful advice based on opinion… if you’re going to use something that is that dense and that hard of a metal, be sure to use a thinner wall tubing. Otherwise it will not resonate very well. Of course it just depends on what sound you’re looking for too! It’s all in the ear of the beholder …
Take care and all the best!!!
John McHaffie
He’s right, making it light enough is the tricky part.
Machining it really isn’t that bad - just be sure to get the drill speed just right.
Jetboy replies,
Thanks for all your comments and support. The secret is in the computer controlled, precision laser tube-cutter…!
I will keep you all informed. I am happy to send one over the pond for reviews, if it is good enough, the cost will be worth it.
Jetboy
Talk to Serpent-- he makes Molybdenum steel whistles. I’ve got one, and it’s quite heavy, but plays very well.
Chrome molybdenum motorcycle frame tubing is what I use. It’s harder on tools than most SS softer than 440 (used extensively in knife blades). Machining is really no problem. You use cobalt steel mills and drills, and grind instead of filing unless you want to replace files weekly. Do expect to replace your cutters a bit more frequently than HSS, and to pay a premium in price (about +40% in my experience) for the cobalt.
I looked into SS and Titanium, both, and thought better of it. If you want to go into any kind of volume production on those beasties, I’d recommend you invest in a Hurco KMB-1 CNC mill (I have one for sale - a real bargain at only $12500USD plus shipping) and a very sturdy industrial-grade lathe and drill press. You’ll also need to invest in a good metal-cutting bandsaw with cobalt or tungsten carbide toothing, unless you’ve got a really good arm and a gross of hacksaw blades. A standard cutoff saw will leave you with enough flash to wear out a diamond file in short order.
Have fun, though! Making whistles is truly a cool way to spend your time!
serpent