Cheap and easy. Should cost under 10$ minus the dremel tool. I am making a 3 pound whistle rocket tooling, and spindle. 1" in diameter with a 3/8 inch core, 1 1/2 inch long. You can scale up or down to desire.

Whistle rockets as the name describes are rockets which emit a very loud whistling sound as it shoots into the air. It contains a pressed pyrotechnic composition called whistle rocket mix. In comparison, the whistle rocket tube is usually about half the length of a similar diameter black powder rocket. No nozzle material is used in the construction of this rocket and it has a very short core making this device an end burner. When the rocket is lit, the composition around the core burns extremely fast, propelling the rocket into the air very quickly. The rocket then changes characteristics, and the material oscillates and the remaining half of the tube acts as a resonating cavity, essentially amplifying the whistle sound. During this process the burning composition still generates enough thrust to continue propelling the whistling rocket through the sky. (Pyroguide.com)

Here is an example of a whistle rocket with a 2" can shell attached to the top. tt stars on top with gold glitter on bottom

http://s90.photobucket.com/albums/k243/nateputt21/?action=view&current=638b25ac.pbr

Step 1: Materials

-half a dozen or so washers that have a 1 inch outside diameter and 3/8 inside diameter
-a 3/8 inch bolt (for this size it must be over 2 inches in length)
-loctite epoxy (im using 5 minute quick set)
-dremel tool

Step 2: Step 1

take the dremel tool and cut the bolt to 2 inches. I left some of the thread because it gives it better grip when glued. Be sure to wear gloves because it gets hot when you cut the bolt

Step 3: Step 2

-glue the bolts to a base. I am using a thick piece of wood. it needs to be strong to withstand the force of pressing. put a piece down and coat it with epoxy then repeat.
-then insert the cut bolt which is covered in epoxy.
- waight 5 to 10 minutes for the epoxy to start to harden and make sure the bolt is straight.

Step 4: Final Step

thats it your finished and it also saved you about 80 to 90 dollars :)
for the rammers i use hardwood dowels. you will need to drill a hole a bit bigger then the bolt for one peice. they might break or fray over time but who cares, you can make another one in 5 minutes.