Extra Loud Whistle Made From an Extra Mint Container

In this project I'll show how to create an extra loud whistle made out of a Wrigleys Extra Mint Container. If you have all the parts, this shouldn't take you more than 30-40 minutes to make. The whistle is extremely lightweight and a great addition to your outdoor adventure or survival kit. The video below doesn't really do the whistle any justice... It's even louder in the fresh.

Step 1: What You Need for the Build

If your lucky you might find all these things lying around the house or garage;

- A empty Extra Mint Container or something similar.
- A good pair of scissors
- 2 1/8" Bolts and 6 matching nuts
- A 1/8" Drill Bit
- A Drill (Battery or Hard Wired)
- A pair of Pilers
- Some Sandpaper, and
- A fine permanent marker pen

Step 2: Cutting Up Your Container

After you've found a suitable tin container for the job, start by marking and cutting out the main 3 pieces that go together to form the whistle; there are 2 pieces 65mm x 13mm, and 1 middle piece that is 72mm x 13mm. This middle piece is a little longer, so you can conveniently attach it to a lanyard, necklace or keychain. All the dimensions are list in the image above. Caution; be careful when cutting out these pieces, as the cut edges and off-cuts can be very sharp.

Step 3: Drilling the Holes

Once you've cut out your 3 main components, ensure each piece is nice and flat. Use your sandpaper to remove an sharp edges. Follow the dimensions in the image plan and mark out each point for the holes. Now using a drill on low speed, carefully drill out each hole using your 1/8" Drill Bit. It's ok if you use a sightly bigger drill bit and/or nuts and bolts, just not too much bigger or your project won't work.

Step 4: Putting It All Together

After you've drilled out all your holes and removed all the sharp edges, it's time to put the whistle together. Basically you'll be bolting the 3 pieces together with the longer piece in the middle. Each piece is separated/spaced apart by a nut, as shown in the above images. Tighten up the whistle bolts with your pilers and give the whistle a final sand to finish it all off.

Step 5: How to Use

Now you can attach your Extra Mint Whistle to your favorite lanyard or keychain. HOW TO USE; to use the whistle, wrap your lips over the whistle ensuring you cover the 3 holes at the top and bottom. Gently push your tongue on the middle piece while blowing.

Comments

[drzcyy]

One question, if you need to ensure you "cover the 3 holes at the top and bottom", why do you need to drill these holes in the first place? Will it work if you just drill the holes on the middle plate?

[sue.donim.144]

my local dollar trees have manual air horns . very loud.

[trainbrain03]

i've seen those at mine too.

[sue.donim.144]

since they are hand pumped with little effort , they are better than air which can run out and lung power whoch some maynot have in an emergency. one can lean on them and do loud noise.

[sue.donim.144]

i bought them for the family to keep at home and in cars.

[trainbrain03]

that's smart

[trainbrain03]

that's smart

[nduarte1]

Cool! Gonna try it with a credit card.

[Azzurro]

so?

[The Lightning Stalker]

I guess he cut his mouth and is unable to speak.  :D~

[Azzurro]

Yeah it looks like. :) I won't start making this till he replies...

[marcellahella]

Wow cool and useful voted! I need one for when I sky backcountry in the mountain, I like that is so loud!

[The Lightning Stalker]

How do you keep from cutting yourself on this?

[potterboy]

You keep from cutting yourself by working very carefully. I sanded the edges as I went along. Another option is to try it out on an expiried Credit Card, as shizumadrive suggested below. It should work just as well, just make sure you wash and clean the Credit Cards well, so the plastic is clean when you put it in your mouth.

[The Lightning Stalker]

It doesn't cut your mouth?

[3zuli]

What is the spacing between your plates? I just made one from sheet aluminium, but it's kind of hard to cover it with my lips and make it whistle. It also sounds way lower than yours.
My spacing is about 2.5mm, the aluminium is about 0.4mm thick.

[potterboy]

Hi 3zuli, the spacing and metal thicknes sounds ok. It takes a little while learn how to blow the whistle properly. You almost put the whole whistle in your mouth - with only the bolts at the end showing. Once you pick it up, you'll be right...

[poorjohnn]

As a kid we made something like this from a piece of plumbers tape. stuff that has holes every inch or so. we just folded at one of the holes so two of them lined up and covered the inside edge with and blew into both holes. Super loud

[Jiggsy]

Any chance this could be cut from a beer or soda can? I don't know how readily available these kinds of tins are in the US.

[acabrera7]

there a similiar container - it's called Eclipse