For a while now , I’ve been toying with the idea of building a rack or stand to store or display my growing whistle collection. However , since I’ve actually got a real life and very limited time or building skills , I’ve fallen into a full blown case of procrastination … BIG TIME !!
Fortunately , while browsing through a local craft shop ( Michael’s ), I stumbled on the answer to my problem. First , I want to make it perfectly clear that I am not affiliated with this product , it’s sale or promotion , so this is not a commercial post. I merely have found something that works for me and wanted to share it with friends at C&F.
The item is called a Knifty Knitter and is designed to make knitted wool caps. They are heavy flattened plastic rings with 1 inch knobbed posts sticking up all around the perimeter on one side. All that’s required to make this a terrific whistle stand is to set/mount it on any flat surface , with the posts sticking up and start placing your whistles , bell end down , over the posts. BINGO !! Instant whistle rack !!!
They come in 4 different sizes or as a complete set. I got the complete kit on sale for $10 and some change. I mounted the smallest one on my computer desk with double sided tape. It holds most of my commonly played whistles , ranging from High F to Bb , right at my fingertips with no problems. The only small problem occurs with some of the conical bore whistles , but even that is easily remedied. For my Shaw’s and Clarke’s , I simply ground off the knobbed post , a bit , with my Dremel tool ( you could use an Emery board )
I’m providing a link , so you can check it out for yourselves. It sure has put an end to the “scattered whistle syndrome” around the ol’ Kingfisher’s nest ! Hope it can be a help to you , also !! Merry Christmas !!!
I use a test tube drying rack purchased at the 99 cent store (advertised as a dish drying rack). Great rack, holds 16 whistles. I rolled my own paper extenders to hold low Ds and flutes. The only whistle that doesn’t fit is a Clarke original. I had to fashion a thinner peg for it.
At the same place, Michaels, they sell little decorative wine bottle holders. They are a round tube that is just high enough for a D or higher whistle. I put a few, maybe a dozen, of my least played whistles in this tube. It even has a lid to completely cover them. It sells for about $2.
Well , let see ? For the complete set , I come up with a count of 132 posts.
Greg , if your lady fills that puppy with whistles for Christmas , I’d say she’s definitely a “keeper” !! It also puts a whole new spin on WHOA.
"I’m really not collecting whistles , honey , I just can’t stand to see all those poor little uncovered pegs ! Think how lonely they must feel !!
I haven’t tried anything larger than a Bb on these rings , Steve. I keep my bigger metal whistles in a stand ( similar to an umbrella stand ) and my wooden whistles in sealed plastic tubes ( not unlike the ones that Ron mentioned ) Here in western Pa. , it seems like either the furnace or air condition is always running. The dry air tends to make storing wooden whistles a bit of a challenge. I surely wouldn’t consider this setup good for wood , under those conditions , but the 1 inch pegs seem to hold the smaller whistles just fine. Even without mounting , if you flair them into a sort of cone ( to maintain a counterbalance ) , they stay just fine. Of course , I haven’t got any step dancers bouncing around in my computer room either !! That could be a problem !!
Thanks for the link , Dale ! Those look like really nice racks ! Of course , sanding , staining , and finishing them requires some degree of work and disqualifys them as true “lazy man” devices. It’s OK !! We know that your heart was in the right place ! Maybe , if I get this one filled up … hmmm ?
My top dresser drawer holds all of mine, but I can not close it all the way with the low ones sticking out. That black plastic round thing with the tube in the middle holding Memorex CDs, when the CDs are gone it will hold one Bb or larger. To carry my low whistles I am useing a folding lawn chair bag.
Damn-- I just have a little velveteen drawstring bag for my two whistles…
but I made it myself! And it’s orange, white, and green! I obviously need more.
Merry Christmas !!!
To carry my low whistles I am useing a folding lawn chair bag.
I obviously need more.