I’ve decided to try my hand as making whistles. I’ve never made a woodwind (or done any woodworking, really), can barely play well, but I’m going to try!
The wood I’ve chosen to work with is Bog Oak sourced from the British Isles (some from Ireland, some from England). I understand this wood is prone to cracking, particularly when not dried correctly – so I’m getting freshly-cut pieces from a log and will be drying/seasoning them myself using a system I’ve built myself. If you’re interested in the details of the drying process, let me know.
I’ll be making a few C, D, Low G, and Low D whistles. I’ll be using tungsten for the fipple, joints (I’ll be making these whistles in two pieces similar to Chris Abell’s design), etc. Prototype designs will be made out of African Blackwood, since I can get those cheaply and they will allow me to work on the overall design while the Bog Oak seasons.
Wish me luck, I have NO idea what I’m doing, and might look to you guys for help as I make my prototypes…
Not to discourage you, but I hope you have some idea of the magnitude of what’s involved in making a wooden whistle. It’s a very rewarding, but complex process. I wish you luck, and will be glad to help you in any way I can. Message me and I’ll give you my email address for easier correspondence.
I’d suggest you look up Guido Gonzato’s excellent instructions for making PVC whistles as an introduction to woodwind making in general. The hardest part of making a wooden whistle is turning a square piece of wood into a thin walled wooden tube. Starting with PVC eliminates that whole thing and mistakes are cheap.
I made one or two Bog Oak whistles. Interesting stuff. It’s very porous and stringy and doesn’t machine very cleanly. Once I rough turned the wood and shot a bore through it, I soaked the wood for a day or two in this: http://www.minwax.com/wood-products/maintenance-repair/minwax-high-performance-wood-hardener?gclid=CPSLideOk7wCFUhgMgod8BAAPA
It’s a thin fluid which will penetrate the pores and then polymerize to make a hard, stable wood.
Get some cheap wood like maple to practice on, and be prepared to trash a lot of pieces!
Good luck to your journey into the realm of whistle making. Like Paul said, it’s a long process but it worth the effort. I start making wooden whistle since 3-4 years ago in my spare time and actually the result is quite good.
If I can help and save you some time let me know.
All the best!
Sylvain
Luck with your whistle making, I’ve tried a couple and, as others have said, it is a lot more difficult than it appears, with some very critical tolerances.
Are you really certain that you want to make your fipples and rings out of tungsten? It is a bear to machine, very heavy, and doesn’t exactly color up very well. Also, the MSDS is a bit worrisome:
Potential Acute Health Effects:
Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of eye contact (irritant), of ingestion, of inhalation. Corrosive to eyes and
skin. The amount of tissue damage depends on length of contact. Eye contact can result in corneal damage or blindness.
Skin contact can produce inflammation and blistering. Inhalation of dust will produce irritation to gastro-intestinal or respiratory
tract, characterized by burning, sneezing and coughing. Severe over-exposure can produce lung damage, choking,
unconsciousness or death.
Potential Chronic Health Effects:
Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of eye contact (irritant), of ingestion, of inhalation.
Repeated exposure of the eyes to a low level of dust can produce eye irritation.
Repeated skin exposure can produce local skin destruction, or dermatitis. Repeated inhalation of dust can produce varying
degree of respiratory irritation or lung damage.
Though perhaps I am looking at the wrong version of the material. Possibly you are thinking of titanium?
Advice is like people trying to make you as afraid as they are.
You will find your own limits - don’t heed advice except: “do it!”
The gap between knowing and doing has a very special name - that name is “life”
Live!
(All gravestones bear an excuse - have none - just do . then others come beg for an excuse to be alive .. I hope you treat them well .. a few mistakes is .. the ripples fade before you do .. live a life before you die a life - be alive when you die .. that’s all that matters - don’t die someone else’s life .. it’s been done already .. compost I suppose ..)