Glen Bridges Posted February 22, 2015 Report Share Posted February 22, 2015 hey everyone, A friend of mine just had a baby and I thought it would be neat to make her a baby rattle. Too give you an idea on the design, think sucker on a stick.. I have a left over piece of maple baseball bat stock I picked up from Rockler a while back. The stock is about 2 1/2" round. I was thinking about cutting two pieces about 3/4" thick off the end. Then using a 2" fostner bit to hollow both pieces out and glue the two pieces together (after filling it with the noise making material). My question is, is using the bat stock a good idea? The main surface area is going to be end grain. will it look nice, break when if hollow it out, hold up with out breaking. Please tell me what you think Thanks Glen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted February 22, 2015 Report Share Posted February 22, 2015 You do realize that by putting a noise maker inside a solid object, the sound does not exit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Bridges Posted February 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2015 I thought about drilling air holes on both sides so the sound can get out. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Bridges Posted February 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2015 I've seen egg shaped rattles, but I do not have a lathe. Also Mexican maracas are made from wood. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted February 22, 2015 Report Share Posted February 22, 2015 You do realize that by putting a noise maker inside a solid object, the sound does not exit? As a band director with dozens of noisemakers of this design, I disagree with this statement. The strikers contact the walls and the walls vibrate. The quality of the sound is affected by the density of the strikers and the thinness of the carrier's walls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Bridges Posted February 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2015 I agree C Shaffer, that's why I was going to use a forstner bit to hollow out each side and fill with mine bells before glueing the 2 pieces together. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted February 22, 2015 Report Share Posted February 22, 2015 As a band director with dozens of noisemakers of this design, I disagree with this statement. The strikers contact the walls and the walls vibrate. The quality of the sound is affected by the density of the strikers and the thinness of the carrier's walls. The walls have to be thin for it to be viable. A baseball bat and a Forstner bit, leave thick walls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted February 22, 2015 Report Share Posted February 22, 2015 Richard, I have all types. For a baby rattle with no need for symphonic projection, the density matters far more. Sounds transmit better through dense solids than through air. This is the theory that drives listening for whales under water and for trains with your ear on the rail. This is why lead shot in a thick walled mallet will still make plenty of noise. I would polish the surface to remove any fuzz and use something hard to get a nice click. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted February 22, 2015 Report Share Posted February 22, 2015 I'm thinking more about the weight (bumped noggin) and the thing being put in the mouth! Or is it for ornamental purposes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Bridges Posted February 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2015 K Cooper I don't think it will have that much weight.im going to remove as much material as possible. And as for The finish there are plenty of baby safe products on the market to choose from. Natural finishes is one example. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Bridges Posted February 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2015 I appreciate the input so far but my question is will using this material with the end grain showing going to look good and hold up Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted February 22, 2015 Report Share Posted February 22, 2015 How deep? If it is three inches deep and it is rounded like the end of a bat on both end grain faces it could look cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vyrolan Posted February 22, 2015 Report Share Posted February 22, 2015 hold up Who cares? It's a baby rattle. It's going to get dropped and chewed on and slammed into things and spit up on and lost under the couch and crushed at the bottom of the toy box. If it breaks, make them something new for whatever age the kid is then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted February 22, 2015 Report Share Posted February 22, 2015 IMO, if it's wood, especially maple, it will look good. And unless you're talking about a gorilla, it'll hold up. Go for it. I think it's a neat idea. Be sure and follow with pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted February 22, 2015 Report Share Posted February 22, 2015 Sounds like a project best created on a lathe. A turned box plus a handle. Glue the lid back on after filling it with <whatever> and turn it back to smooth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted February 22, 2015 Report Share Posted February 22, 2015 Now this is a project where suitable finish is important. The kid will all but eat the thing, so avoid any finish that might flake off or be toxic in any way. Mineral oil & beeswax might need frequent renewal, but is safe for the kid. I think your plan is sound, and shoukd look just fine. The only concern I'd have about the large faces of relatively thin end grain is that they might chip out while in use, and allow wood chips or the rattle bits to be ingested. I suggest using dried beans for the rattlers, and making the hollow portion large enough that the kid can't shove it into his mouth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrdie Posted February 22, 2015 Report Share Posted February 22, 2015 Shellac would be a good, safe, non toxic finish for this as well. Many pills are coated with shellac. Just make sure it's completely cured (shouldn't take long - dries pretty quickly). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Bridges Posted February 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2015 Thanks everyone as always u make my learning this craft fun Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 You do realize that by putting a noise maker inside a solid object, the sound does not exit? Am I the only one that read this is a philosophical questions? As in, you can't actually put anything INSIDE a SOLID object? You'd only be able to put something inside a hollowed object. right? Judging by the responses, I guess I was. Great thread though. Just had a kid myself, well, the wife did, but I've been thinking about a project like this for the little one. Good feedback. Let us know how yours comes together! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Bridges Posted July 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2015 I know it been a while but I wanted to post the rattle I made. My niece loves it. I made 3 more for friends. Super simple and I'm the future of needed I can knock one out in no time. Thanks again for everyone's help Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted July 4, 2015 Report Share Posted July 4, 2015 Pretty cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted July 4, 2015 Report Share Posted July 4, 2015 I just found this thread. Round like a lollipop was where my thoughts went instantly. Looks great ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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