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Because yelling will make you lose your voice, it’s important to carry a whistle just incase you get in a jam. For example: When I went mountain biking with a group of friends I crashed plenty of times. Luckily, none were serious. However, if I had a bad crash, I would of had to wait until someone pedaled back to me. Unless that is, I could signal them somehow.

To signal for help with a whistle you sound three blasts. Do this in a consistent interval until help comes. The plus side to this whistle is you’ll have a conversation starter when help finally comes.


 
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Step 1: File out a notch

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Before you start, clean out the brass with dish soap and cotton swabs. Clean inside and out until the swabs come out completely white.

Grip the shell in a clamp. Make sure to clamp the primer side of the shell or it will collapse. Also if you don’t have a wooded clamp you can improvise to protect from scratching up the brass with something like an old leather belt.

Using a ¼” triangle file, file a notch ¼” down from the taper line on the shell. Make sure to keep the leading edge of the file at 90 degrees. See the pictures. Keep filing until the trail edge of the file is flush with the shell wall. 

Remove any burs.


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pwnag3 says: Mar 21, 2013. 9:39 PM
I made one of these out of a .270 shell, the .22 was a little small for the opening but thats nothing a little (lot) of solder cant fix, i don't have a triangle file so i cut the notch with a small knife (it took a ton of force, and sawing) i used a stove burner instead of a propane torch, i set it on high and when it started to glow red i turned it off, and put the bullet on it and soldered away.
Chevyscrounger says: Mar 9, 2013. 6:12 PM
I made one and it doesn't whistle. I'll have to try and fine tune it.
astrong0 says: Feb 9, 2013. 12:16 PM
Hey everybody, I just barely did this and could not solder the .22 she'll to another one to save my life however I just discovered that super glue works for all that is soldered. :)
PistolShooter says: Jul 17, 2012. 9:29 AM
Is that a UNIMAT?!?!?!?!
Mrballeng (author) in reply to PistolShooterJul 17, 2012. 9:19 PM
It's actually a drill press laid on its side
Dusk Shadows says: Jul 13, 2012. 4:21 AM
Who needs whistles when you can have KNIFES!!!
nerd12 says: Jun 8, 2012. 6:52 PM
Is this what is called "biting the bullet"?
nice, what may end a life just might save yours.
only prob is, i can only get tiny shells.
Pisceswarrior in reply to nerd12Jun 9, 2012. 1:59 PM
I think it would be more like the "High Brass".
soul_eater says: Oct 3, 2011. 7:33 PM
Very cool whistle, i hope i can find a shell off that size in my country any bullet over 9mm its illegal so its dificult to find even a emty shell
southern boy in reply to soul_eaterMar 29, 2012. 7:06 AM
where do u live
bennettcrew in reply to soul_eaterOct 6, 2011. 1:31 PM
www.etsy.com
There are some folks, on there, who sell empty brass for people to make craft projects with. I have some various types... but they're all bigger than .223

The good thing is that, on the website, you can get quite a few for just a few US Dollars. Pay through paypal, or other method, and have them shipped right to you.
sockless in reply to bennettcrewOct 8, 2011. 2:19 AM
In New Zealand at least, it's illegal to have shell casings without a firearms license, I imagine that it'd be similar elsewhere.
Hazara_nz in reply to socklessJan 10, 2012. 1:08 PM
Nah mate - in NZ I can send the missus in to buy all I need to reload, Cases, powder, projectile & primers without a license. She cant however buy preloaded (live ammunition).
SIRJAMES09 in reply to socklessOct 10, 2011. 6:36 AM
not in America.

In America, if you want to own empty shell casings, it's not illegal...now if you have a few hundred thousand casings, that might cause a bobby to ask Questions, but it's still not illegal.
dc0de in reply to SIRJAMES09Dec 4, 2011. 5:55 PM
I have a few hundred thousand casings, and the government nor anyone else asks any questions.

As far as empty v/ loaded brass, I'll leave that for the thieves to guess which ones are loaded...
southern boy in reply to dc0deMar 29, 2012. 7:08 AM
damn straight
SIRJAMES09 in reply to dc0deDec 4, 2011. 7:16 PM
I like your way of thinking.. :D

Just make sure you have some very hungry hogs near by....makes it easier to hide the bodies. j/k
soul_eater in reply to bennettcrewOct 7, 2011. 3:36 PM
Thanks for the data, i'm going to check it out and see if its posible the international shipment
thoraxe in reply to soul_eaterOct 3, 2011. 8:08 PM
This bullet is .223 (5.56 mm) diameter, the same caliber as a .22 LR round. If your bullets are classed by caliber, then these bullets are smaller than a 9mm. If they are judged by kinetic energy (anything more powerful than 9mm) then this rifle round is too powerful.

Look for 5.56 x 45 mm ammunition.
jimsmithkka in reply to thoraxeJun 9, 2012. 2:58 AM
.223 is not the same as a 22lr, the smaller casing in the instructable is a 22lr, the .223 is larger round with more powder behind it. reason this works so well is the similar size of the projectile in each round, with the .003 difference in diameter allowing for easy pass through of the 22lr casing into the mouth of the .223.

Now if i could find out a way to do this with old .308 casings, i may finally have a use for my empty steal casings (cant reload steal casings)
Pisceswarrior in reply to jimsmithkkaJun 9, 2012. 2:02 PM
He meant the diameter of the bullet is very much the same. look it up in a reloading index.
soul_eater in reply to thoraxeOct 7, 2011. 3:33 PM
I think they are judging by the kinetic energy.
Hoopajoo says: Mar 4, 2012. 6:52 PM
Just finished making this and wanted to share it. Instead of the cord, I pressed out the primer and soldered a brass eye loop into the hole building up the solder bubble to cover the opening to the loop. I then made a small clip out of a flattened section of coat hanger wire a-la Balleng. Hope you like it and thanks for sharing your expertise!
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Mrballeng (author) in reply to HoopajooMar 6, 2012. 8:15 AM
"a-la Balleng"... I love it!!! Turned out great. Good work.
Iceman94 says: Feb 16, 2012. 9:17 AM
Awesome instructable! Do you think this would work with a .243 shell?
Mrballeng (author) in reply to Iceman94Feb 17, 2012. 12:31 AM
Any long shell will work as long as the design is the same. Thanks!
djzadjza says: Feb 2, 2012. 1:10 PM
Hello, great ible. i really love the idea of the rugged outdoorsy whistle. I know how to solder with wires for electronics but can u tell me the materials required to solder with brass, thanks
Mrballeng (author) in reply to djzadjzaFeb 3, 2012. 12:41 AM
All the stuff I use comes from the plumbing section at any hardware store. Silver soldering wire, soldering paste, and a torch. You can also check out "how to solder amateur jewelry" under my name. Good luck.
debrulerd says: Jan 14, 2012. 1:52 PM
Those are awesome. Have you tested their decibel rating at all?
francimj says: Dec 19, 2011. 6:47 PM
Any chance of getting lead poisoning from the solder?
fireguard in reply to francimjJan 11, 2012. 9:57 AM
Modern solder is leadless. Not sure how long it's been that way, but our section had to go through our old supplies of it years ago and toss the old style. Still don't want to use in a confined space without ventilation. To be absolutely certain, don't drink cocktails out of the whistle. XD Kidding. Use modern solder and you should have no problem. Nice project.
Could we use an old artillery shell? THAT would be something else...
Grimmy Grim says: Dec 26, 2011. 12:14 PM
Now that's a clever, neat project! Thanky!
oud25 says: Dec 2, 2011. 1:06 PM
so could you just take a .22 shell and file half the cap off instead of melting a brass piece on half way?
Mrballeng (author) in reply to oud25Dec 3, 2011. 12:53 AM
As long as the openings from each shell line up like in the picture you should be good.
#OccupyInstruct says: Nov 29, 2011. 9:36 AM
will it work with a .270 or a 22-250? thanks for the cool instruct though!
Mrballeng (author) in reply to #OccupyInstructNov 29, 2011. 9:06 PM
After washing out the shell, hold it vertically up to your lips with the primer side down. Blow into the shell with the air flow entering the opening at a 45 degree angle. You'll be able to hear how the shell will sound as a whistle. Any shell should work/ The only thing that will change is the tone.
#OccupyInstruct in reply to MrballengNov 30, 2011. 5:11 AM
thanks! very cool instruct since i have lots of spare shells around
Mr.1911 says: Nov 21, 2011. 2:25 PM
LOVE it 5 stars!!!!!!!! Awesome instructable.
oud25 says: Nov 19, 2011. 8:06 PM
so why do you have to use another shell
could you leave the 223 shell by its self and it work
or could you take a 22 shell and just file the cap off?
Mrballeng (author) in reply to oud25Nov 20, 2011. 10:22 PM
It has to do with the direction the air is forced out of an opening. If you left one or the other out it will just sound like air being blown.
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