WWA Info Exchange

A friend is expecting his first grandson and wants me to make a baby rattle. I have several designs possibilities, but will probably stick to the barbell shape. I am trying to decide what to put inside the cavity to create the rattling noise. Any suggestions? Dried peas, rice, sunflower seeds? I want to be able to assure my friend that in the unlikely event the rattle opens up, the insides will be safe if swallowed.

I think the idea of dried peas or perhaps large beans sounds great. Several articles I've read regarding turned rattles mention using anything like small nuts or bolts, for instance, but I agree- there's always the potential for disaster so why not err on the side of safety!

Might try a dry run to see how well they sound. I'd be interested to know how they work out.

Oh- do I assume correctly that these will be lathe turned?

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Nullum Gratuitum Prandium

Cheers - Dennis

Yes, turning them on my mini-lathe. I'm not the best turner, but it's fun. Drilling out a cavity in the ends of a center section, filling with something that rattles, covering the cavities with a contrasting wood, then turning to shape.

I think a more important consideration than swallowing something that got loose, would be inhaling and choking on a small thing like a dried pea or whatever. Not sure how you could prevent this and still keep the rattle sound tho. There has to be some kind of regulation or standard that manufacturers have to abide by in this regard, so you might research that.

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I bring to life, I bring to death:
The spirit does but mean the breath:
I know no more. (Tennyson, In Memoriam)

Buy a cheap plastic baby rattle, break it open and see what is inside. Either use the contents or find out what they use and up rate it.

Rog

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Dont badmouth no strangers, they just friends you aint met yet.

An ounce of responsibility is worth a pound of State and Federal laws.

I spent most of my money on woodworking
tools and beer, the rest I just wasted.

The basic rule we use when turning tops for the Toys for Tots donation is - they have to be large enough not to fit through a toilet paper tube. Don't know where anyone came up with that but ... just sayin', as they say.

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Nullum Gratuitum Prandium

Cheers - Dennis

How about small jelly beans.
Red hots.
Those little Valentine hearts with messages on them.

There are probably lots of small candy choices you could use.
No one would ever know.
Zulu

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Zulu's website
http://www.jmelledge.com

Dried beans/peas are not a good idea, given the size of an infant trachea. IIRC, 5-6mm in a newborn. Keep it small, like rice. Cough can clear the way with that.

Here you go - interior diameter of ET tubes. https://basicsofpediatricanesthesia.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/endotracheal-tube-size-guidelines.png

Well, it appears the US CPSC is more concerned with the external sizes, not what's inside the rattle. For everyone's information and future reference, here's a link to the Requirements for Rattles. I am adjusting my design accordingly.

Oh, and I have decided to use un-popped popcorn for my "pellets or other small objects".

http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Business--Manufacturing/Business-Education/Business-Guidance/Rattles/.

Thanks for all the input everyone.

Why doesn't this surprise me?

Of course the Feds will be involved:

http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Business--Manufa ... e/Rattles/

_________________
Nullum Gratuitum Prandium

Cheers - Dennis

Probably some State level regs also, in some States. CA comes to mind.

_________________
I bring to life, I bring to death:
The spirit does but mean the breath:
I know no more. (Tennyson, In Memoriam)