A Simple Steel Recorder For Kids to Make.

I've been using this project with my grade 7 kids for a few years now. Its great because it is simple, fun and has a ton of learning packed in. I'll set this Instructable up as a Lesson Plan for teachers so here's the start...
**update**
It was pointed out to me that this project is actually a tin whistle or a penny whistle.. not a recorder! Well there you go! learn something new everyday i say. Thanks for the correction... I don't think i can change the title because it is in the teachers contest BUT when you present this to your classes be sure to update. Thanks!

Learning Objectives:
-The student shall be able to demonstrate the safe use of  basic metal working tools including the hacksaw, files and Drill Press.
-The student shall be able to use the metric scale to accurately layout a design on steel.

What I will do is an overview of what I do each class with the students. Along the way you'll find notes on basic tips that I've found work well with kids. Try this project with your class (or kid) and in a short while the air will be filled with melodious tunes and screeches as the kids proudly show off their new instrument.

Materials:
-Steel pipe. 1/2" ID 1/16" wall. 35cm per student
-Steel pipe. 5/8" ID 1/16" wall. 3cm per student. You can also find the same size conduit... usually free at supply houses...better to use  because it has a nice thin wall.
-Wood dowel 1/2" diameter. You can also use solid cold rolled 1/2" steel.

Tools:
-Hacksaw with 24T blade.
-Flat smooth file and medium size smooth round file.
-Center punch.
-Rulers, sharpies
-Drill press.
-5, 6, 7 and 8mm drill bits.
-Buffer (not required...)

Submitted by HD Stafford Middle School  for the Instructables Sponsorship Program

Step 1 The Basic Idea of Sound and Measurement.

I introduce the idea of a sound wave to the students by drawing 2 waves on the board with different distances between the peaks of each wave. I explain that the waves that are further apart are lower frequencies. What really drives this idea home is if you explain (and humm... which they love to hear if its bad at all :-) ) what a car horn sounds like as it comes towards you (increasing pitch) and as it moves away from you. (the pitch lowers)
Link the idea of a wavelength to the tube of the recorder... longer tubes make lower sounds. Be sure to reinforce that the tube length has to be perfect or it will be out of tune. Covering or uncovering holes in the side of the tube effectively change the size and therefore the pitch of the sound. Holes in the wrong spots means that the recorder will be out of tune. This is all good stuff because it motivates the students to measure carefully.
Now is a good time to talk about using millimeters and centimeters. I'm sure you have stuff on that... if not, the web has tons of resources. Read ahead because I have a few tips on measuring with kids...

Comments

[Dream Dragon]

That's another cool looking project. Thanks for sharing it.

[70spit]

Fantastic!....I wish you were my teacher

[bigtreehouse]

This is amazing... I would make them and send them home to practice.

[stumitch]

thanks! many of them come back with songs they've figured out, which is really cool.

[koebwil]

great instructable, but I would not recommend using gloves at a buffer. it can make the difference between getting a bit of a burn and getting a hand yanked into the spindle.

[stumitch]

all righty! removed the pic, admonished the kid and changed the text to reflect the danger of gloves! ya. i respond. :-)
thanks for the constructive comments!

[koebwil]

also tell that kid on step 5 to put his glasses on :)

[powerwagon440]

Nice job, but the actual name for this is a "Penny" of "Tin" Whistle. A recorder has 10 holes plus one on the reverse side. I've built several of these in different keys using copper instead of steel. You could also use a step bit to drill the holes, just be sure the bit will not poke through the reverse side. There are several sites online with patterns for different keys if you desire a certain key to play. Nice job on the directions, I felt like I was building one right along with you!

[stumitch]

thanks for the comments! i'll remember that next time i get a new group of kids! i like the idea of a step drill.

[rimar2000]

Very interesting project! Thanks for sharing. Years ago I did some PVC recorders, but the critic point was always the tuning.

Maybe you could add a MP3 record. If you do it, please warn me by PM.

[stumitch]

thanks for the comment! i've seen recorders built with PVC... we have the same tuning issues although they get pretty close... enough for kids to play tunes!

[gg1220]

Very nicely done! As someone who recently came out of middle school shop class, I love your projects and clear, detailed instructions. And it doesn't hurt that I'm somewhat of a band geek ;)

[stumitch]

Thanks!