How to make a 'Howler'

You may or may not know what a 'howler' is, but for those who don't know, I'll explain. It is quite simply a noise maker. A very good one. It works upon the same concept of a soup can phone, it sends vibrations through the string when pulled, and the can amplifies the vibrations. The video above demonstrates these haunting noises.

I have early memories of my grandma telling me about these little noise-makers. Many stories I've heard about her brother scaring the kids throughout the woods with haunting noises during the night. It echoes quite nicely in an open field, which makes it very good for creeping out your friends. And better yet, it is very inexpensive to make. If you like this 'ible please vote for me in the Project: Prank Contest. Thanks!

Step 1 What you'll need

Tools:
-Scissors
-Small screwdriver

Materials:
-Kite string
-Button
-Kerosene (I used lamp oil)
-Oatmeal can (Any similar cardboard can will work)

Comments

[graywoulf]

WOW! I had forgotten about these. My father made these for me when I was a kid so that I could scare all of our neighbors. He called it a "Bull Roarer". He also used a large metal coffee can which can really sound off. You can also rub the string across candle wax to stiffen it and make the sound when you pinch and pull to make the sound. You can use different type of containers such as plastic coffee cans or what ever you can find. Try the candle wax though as it is less messy and smelly than lamp oil. Have fun! 

[nickodemus]

Hah, bull roarer, now there's a good name for it. I just called it a howler because I didn't know any other name for it. And my grandma did mention using candle wax, but I had forgotten all about it. Thanks.

[drbill]

Bull roarer is different. Bull roarer has a surf board shaped wooden dowell at the end of a long string. Whip it around by the end of the string and you have the sound that was made in the movie Crocidile Dundee.

[marxdarx]

So it wasn't a didgeridoo used in that movie?.

Sounded just like one.

Or is that also in that movie and I'm forgetting an additional instrument sound?

[drbill]

Didgeridoo is a wind instrument. A long pipe through which the lips are vibrated.

[thewoodcarver]

yup we use to make them as kids ..carve the wood and add a string  and whip it around our heads and make too much noise ..I do think dad regretted teaching us how to make them .......en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullroarer_%28music%29

[KrazyKow]

DAYUM I thought it was like Harry Potter, with the screaming red envelopes, and the--ahhhhhh I'll never understand you people. Anyway, a great Instructable!

[(YOUR N]

i think it was like harry potter screaming yougert pots that go yyyyyyoooooouuugeeeerrrrrrrttttt!!!!!!!!!! DO NOT EAT ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mich153]

haha that's what i thought as well. :/

[bomberman3]

What do you mean, "you people"?

[drbill]

YEAH !

[bluelantern]

lol.

[bluelantern]

such an agravating sound! lol,+5.:P

[nickodemus]

Thanks! If you liked it, please vote for me in the Project: Prank Contest. Voting should start on the 5th of April.

[bluelantern]

for sure! :)

[chiapetrescue]

Love this. Great instructable.

[nickodemus]

Thanks!

[jkbhso3]

you just made my day. i work for fred meyer which is owned by kroger! :) nice instrucable btw! 

[nickodemus]

Thanks! If you like Kroger stuff, you should check out this little crab I made from a Kroger brand yogurt cup. Here's the link.

[nickodemus]

And this one, it's also Kroger stuff. I guess you can tell where we shop for groceries.

[jkbhso3]

 lol thanks for making my paycheck possible!! yeah it says that on the bottom on my check.

[Vick Jr]

What does the kerosene do? Will anything else work like water or rubbing alcohol?

[nickodemus]

It makes the string vibrate better when it passes through your fingers. Try pulling a normal string between your fingers, then try it with the kerosene coated string. Then you'll see what I mean. I haven't tried rubbing alcohol, but you could give it a shot.

[dudejetfighter]

 You know if you put a wet soapy sponge on the end it sounds like a chicken.

[siedpe13]

thought about knotting it in such a fashion to where the piece of stringsbecomes a circle for infinite noise?

[nickodemus]

Yes! Featured!