Crafts and Games
WHIMMYDIDDLE

The whimmydiddle is a toy that boys might have whittled, or carved, in their spare time.  When you rub the notches with the rubbing stick, the propeller turns around and around.

• a small hardwood branch, 8 inches long
  
• a small hardwood branch, 4 inches long
  
• a small hardwood branch, 1 ½ inches long
  
• a nail
  
• hammer
  
• whittling knife
  
• drill

1.  The larger branch is the body of the whimmydiddle.  Carve 8 evenly spaced notches into the body, about 1/8 inch deep.

2.  The smallest piece is the propeller.  Drill a small hole in the center of the propeller.  It’s important to center the hole as evenly as possible, so the propeller turns easily.

3.  Slip the nail through the hole in the propeller, and nail it to the end of the body.

4.  Rub the rubbing stick back and forth over the notches, and watch the propeller spin.  See if you can make it spin to the right and to the left.

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