Somewhat thinking ahead, but some advice on steam whistles would be appreciated.
I after something with a nice tone, but not too precocious for the 15ft boat I'll be building.
I've listened to numerous on YouTube, but am non the wiser.
What should I be considering?
TIA
Ian
Re: Steam whistles - advice please
Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2017 8:42 am
by RGSP
I can only suggest you go to a few steamboat meetings, and keep your ears open!
Re: Steam whistles - advice please
Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2017 10:17 am
by ianrichards
RGSP wrote:I can only suggest you go to a few steamboat meetings, and keep your ears open!
Re: Steam whistles - advice please
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 6:47 am
by TahoeSteam
The shorter the bell, the higher the pitch
Re: Steam whistles - advice please
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2017 1:34 am
by cyberbadger
IMHO a chime steam whistle sounds much more pleasing to the ear.
When I decided to build a steamboat, I started picking up old whistles when possible and wound up with about four large different ones. I don't know if there is something wrong with my ears?? or what it is, but they were all too shrill and not very pleasing, especially up close. I like the deeper tones much better. I started researching and found that long bodied whistles have a deeper tone or lower note as I kinda knew anyways. So, I decided to make my own. It wasn't a very difficult project and it was much cheaper than an antique whistle, I think around $50 to make. I like it much better than any of the others I had, which I sold a while back. From now on, I'll just make my own.
Here is a drawing I made of my whistle:
Re: Steam whistles - advice please
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2017 6:34 pm
by Akitene
Good evening Ian,
Here's a couple of videos about machining a steam whistle using reclaimed propane tank valves:
Part 1/2:
And part 2/2:
Regards,
Christophe
Re: Steam whistles - advice please
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2017 6:37 pm
by Akitene
... By the way, you've made quite a nice whistle, DetroiTug. I definitely love the way it sounds.
Re: Steam whistles - advice please
Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 8:42 am
by RGSP
The desirability of a particular sound does vary a lot with setting, and that does apply to steam whistles.
As an example, I admit to liking bagpipes AS LONG AS they're on a Scottish hillside at least half a mile away.
