Another pipe organ question?

Question

i want to make a pipe organ not a huge one but just one to have a summer/fall project im thinking about expierimenting with pvc pipes im just wondering how you make the whistle on a pvc pipe like would it work if i just put a hole in it or what will or will not work. thanks a lot

by the way dont say copper pipes work better i know im just expierimenting a little

Answer 1

If you look at a metal pipe, you'll see that it's not cylindrical all the way down - it tapers to a small hole.  The mouth of the pipe (the hole) is not too far above where the taper begins.  The problem with PVC is that you're going to have a very difficult time making the taper airtight - you're getting into melting the plastic territory, which is dangerous in terms of fumes.  That's only one type of pipe though, there are also reeds (which have a vibrating tongue) and stopped pipes - without knowing more about the science of it, you're going to struggle!  Find an organist near you and see if you can have a look at a full-scale pipe organ.

Answer 2

Here's an article for you, it should answer your question.

Good luck with your project.

http://www.mmdigest.com/Tech/klein_whist...

Answer 3

This will be more than a summer project if you want to make a single rank of pipes that actually work.  The amount of technical knowledge and tooling to make a functional and musical pipe exceeds the average hobbyist.

PVC is difficult/impossible to work with as it cannot be formed in the way traditional pipe metals and wood can with all of the internal components of an organ pipe.  With a good amount of creativity plastic pipe can be made to work but one must know the fundamentals of how to get a column of air to produce a tone.  Recorders (which look a lot like organ pipes) are of PVC but are cast that way.   Just drilling a hole will produce nothing.

Find a friendly local reputable organ builder that might be willing to show you some basics of pipe construction.