How to Make a 4-Tone Wood Train Whistle
- 1). Cut an 8-inch length of 2 x 2-inch pine. Save the remaining scrap piece.
- 2). Using the drill press, drill four 7/16-inch holes into the top of the wood. Each hole should be 3/8-inch from each corner and drilled to different depths to create the various tones. The holes should be 4, 5, 6, and 7 inches respectively.
- 3). Cut angled notches into the four corners of the block. The notches should be roughly 3/8-inch deep about 13/16-inch down from the top of the block, and have an angle of roughly 30-45 degrees.
- 4). Cut four pieces of dowel to 1/2-inch lengths.
- 5). File one side of the dowel to make it flat.
- 6). Glue the pieces of dowel inside the holes about an 1/8-inch down, with the flat side flush against the notch.
- 7). Allow the glue to dry a few hours. After it dries, you can test the whistle.
- 8). Take the remaining scrap piece of pine and drill a 7/8-inch through the center of the wood.
- 9). Glue the drilled scrap to the top of the whistle, aligning the edges. Try to avoid getting excess glue inside the holes.
- 10
Sand the whistle smooth, paying particular attention to the mouthpiece. Leave the whistle unfinished.
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