Me, Hugo and a Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle

[flatblackcapo]

I stumbled upon this old Appalachian folk toy and thought it would be fun to try to make one. Sitting down on the porch with Hugo ( the Hugo Koller that I won in a GAW that @Ernie1980 so generously put on ) in my hand I got started. I realized that the saw on the SAK Farmer would make things a bit easier so it joined in on the fun. I figured Bill Monroe would be appropriate whittlin' music so that was playing. I am sad to say that I didn't have any moonshine in the house so I had to substitute with whiskey.

Started off with two sticks and two knives.

Sawed off a nub for the propeller

Started the notches with the Farmer's saw.

 

[flatblackcapo]

Notched 'em out with Hugo

Used the coping blade to carve the flats in the propeller.

 

[flatblackcapo]

The Farmer's awl was handy for boring a hole.

Found a small brad nail that worked just fine.

Attached the propeller to the end of the notched stick.

 

[flatblackcapo]

Found that I was a bit off center when I made the hole so I had to do a little balancing.

All done..... now how does this thing work?

 

[flatblackcapo]

Here is a video showing how it works.

 

[t.willy]

Very cool FBC thanks for the video and nice work as well.

 

[Sabercat]

Well done! This brought back memories from my childhood of a family friend who brought one of these when he visited. His was not handmade though, and was branded a "Wizzle Wozzle" or "Zizzle Zazzle" (pretty sure not Whimmy Diddle)....or something like that. I could never get it to spin .

 

[flatblackcapo]

Very cool FBC thanks for the video and nice work as well.

Thanks, T.willy.

Well done! This brought back memories from my childhood of a family friend who brought one of these when he visited. His was not handmade though, and was branded a "Wizzle Wozzle" or "Zizzle Zazzle" (pretty sure not Whimmy Diddle)....or something like that. I could never get it to spin .

Thanks, I am glad it sparked some memories for ya. This is my first experience with this thing so some practice is definitely needed. Getting this thing to spin is harder than the video makes it look!

 

[WhittlinAway]

How fun! I enjoyed reading your play-by-play account of its construction. Thanks for sharing.

 

[r redden]

Having been born and lived my entire life in the Appalachian Mountains I have saw these but never owned one or even knew anyone that did. I am sure they out date this 64 year old man. FBC you did a great job making that toy.

 

[Gevonovich]

Great post capo !! I may just have to make one of these. I enjoyed the video. Whimmy Diddle...huh. Man I love the Appalachian Mountains ! Reminded me of the folkstreams.net website ...found it again. Thanks You can see a whimmy diddle at 12: 24 and more talk at 13:58

http://www.folkstreams.net/film,128

 

[Henry Beige]

I remember those. I was about to post the trick for reversing direction, but fortunately thought to watch the video first. Good thing, as I hadn't remembered it quite right. You could amaze your friends if you knew the trick and they didn't.

 

[5K Qs]

Cool project and video, FBC!!
I wonder if you could propel a boat if you made one on a grander scale (although it would probably be more work than rowing would be).

- GT

 

[Will Power]

Interesting stuff! But I was rather like a viewer of car videos distracted by an attractive woman presenter That Stag is super attractive What a knife!

Thanks, Will

 

[Trout Hound]

Nice work! Those are fun to play with.

 

[3-1-1]

Nice. Impossible to not click on a thread with a name like this.

 

[Jack Black]

Very cool Nice work my friend, never seen these or even heard of them before And the best thread title we've had in ages! Enjoy your 'Moonshine'

 

[Fodderwing]

Nice thread FBC. Thanks for sharing this. Like Gev said.... Very nice knife too

 

[flatblackcapo]

How fun! I enjoyed reading your play-by-play account of its construction. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks, Greg. I had fund doing it.

Having been born and lived my entire life in the Appalachian Mountains I have saw these but never owned one or even knew anyone that did. I am sure they out date this 64 year old man. FBC you did a great job making that toy.

It's not too late to whittle yer self one, I'm pretty sure that you might have a pocket knife or two laying around somewhere.

Great post capo !! I may just have to make one of these. I enjoyed the video. Whimmy Diddle...huh. Man I love the Appalachian Mountains ! Reminded me of the folkstreams.net website ...found it again. Thanks You can see a whimmy diddle at 12: 24 and more talk at 13:58

http://www.folkstreams.net/film,128

Hey, Gevo. That is the very same documentary that I stumbled across the Whimmy Diddle! That is some beautiful country, I need to make out there to see it for myself some day.

I remember those. I was about to post the trick for reversing direction, but fortunately thought to watch the video first. Good thing, as I hadn't remembered it quite right. You could amaze your friends if you knew the trick and they didn't.

I think the guy in that video must have been doing that all his life. I don't find it so easy..... Plus his Whimmy diddle looks a bit more expertly crafted than mine.

Cool project and video, FBC!!
I wonder if you could propel a boat if you made one on a grander scale (although it would probably be more work than rowing would be).
Ooooor a helicopter....... haha

- GT

Interesting stuff! But I was rather like a viewer of car videos distracted by an attractive woman presenter That Stag is super attractive What a knife!
Thanks, Will

I have to admit if the making of the Whimmy Diddle didn't involve a pocket knife, I might not have ever got around to making one.

Nice work! Those are fun to play with.

It is! I was late to work yesterday because I lost track of time. You should of seen the look on my bosses face when I told her that I was late because I got carried away playing with my Whimmy Diddle! Come to find out she has a Whimmy Diddle too!

Nice. Impossible to not click on a thread with a name like this.

It's almost like you want to add "walks into a bar" to it.

Very cool Nice work my friend, never seen these or even heard of them before And the best thread title we've had in ages! Enjoy your 'Moonshine'

Thanks Jack. There are lots of cool old folk toys. I hope to carve out a few more here pretty soon.

Nice thread FBC. Thanks for sharing this. Like Gev said.... Very nice knife too

Thanks, I feel quite lucky to own such a beautiful old whittler. I have to thank @Ernie1980 for his generosity, once again.

 

[zolthar]

Interesting stuff! But I was rather like a viewer of car videos distracted by an attractive woman presenter That Stag is super attractive What a knife!

Thanks, Will

I watched both movies and no attractive woman presenter, doh!