Introduction: Gee-haw Whammy Diddle
This is my third instructable in my toys category ("Floating Pingpong Toy", "Solar Plane").
"Gee-Haw whammy diddle" is a toy that not only has this great playful name, it also is magical by how it works!
It's simplicity and the physics behind it, made me curious to the point i had to build one,
This is a quick instructable anyone can finish in 30 minutes!!!
Supplies
Supplies:
- Wood stick
- nail
Tools:
- saw
- drill (optional)
Step 1: Sticks
For this toy we need two sticks:
Main one with notches and a plane one,
I choose a stick with 1.5cm in diameter and 20cm long and for the second i cut a stick of 15cm long.
Step 2: Notches
The notches should be located at the top of the stick, about 10cm, where you should leave enough space to hold the stick, bottom line: 8cm (handle) , 10cm (notches), 2cm (blank).
With a hand saw, cut notches in 30-45 degrees as shown in the picture.
Step 3: Propeller
I used a scrap of thin wood 5cm long, marked the middle and drilled a hole.
IMPORTANT: the hole should be twice larger than the nail you are using(in diameter).
Step 4: Play!
Hold the "handle" firmly to direct the vibration to the propeller and with a second stick rub the notches.
Enjoy!
Challenge:
Try controlling the direction it spins...
P.S
If you are looking for the physical explanation of how it works, you can visit here

Runner Up in the
1 Hour Challenge
9 Comments
3 years ago
The gee-haw whammy diddle is such a weird toy with such a weird name. Thanks for sharing how you made it :)
3 years ago
My dad showed me how to make these out of rose bush stems when I was a kid. They are a treat for the little ones and always fun to make. It's cool if you have a y shaped branch and can get them to spin in opposite directions...
3 years ago
This is real fun and nostalgic for our father makes them when we were children. We played a lot with it.
Reply 3 years ago
Actually i was not familiar with this toy before.
The "magic" behind it made me make one.
3 years ago
Cool :D
Reply 3 years ago
Thank You!
3 years ago on Step 4
great job! make one a little longer and taper the end, then you've made a tool that will make earthworms come out. you put the tapered end in the ground and rub the grooves with the plain stick.
Reply 3 years ago
Thank You!
Will try...
3 years ago
Donkey's years old. The other one was a bull roarer or perhaps the folded brown paper and cardboard thunderclap. Better than all the plastic rubbish.