screw loose on flute

Bettie · Post by **Bettie** » Tue Feb 04, 2003 10:47 am

Hi, I''ve had my flute for about 5 years. For the
first several months the screw didn''tchange. However, after a while I had to
tighten it quite often. They worked on it at the repair shop, but it is starting
to do it again. What should I do?[;)]

damjan · Post by **damjan** » Tue Feb 04, 2003 2:35 pm

I am not sure what you can do to fix it, but I do
not see it as too much of a problem. It does not affect your sound. Just be
careful that when you tighten it, you do so gently so that the cork from the
instide does not move up. If it does, it will affect the intonation.

Bettie · Post by **Bettie** » Tue Feb 04, 2003 5:07 pm

Yes, the loose screw does cause a problem because
it causes one of the keys not to fit tightly when pressed down and air escapes.
I have an Armstrong 303B. My last flute was a Gemeinhardt and it didn't do
this. I have talked to others that have the same problem. [::)]

damjan · Post by **damjan** » Tue Feb 04, 2003 6:15 pm

I though you were talking about the screw cap on
the headjoint. If it happens to the screws on the keys, then yes, it is a
problem, since they control the keys that are not directly pressed with your
fingers. It seems like the screws sits loose so it simply gets pushed out. I am
not sure what you can do and if the repair shop can put something to hold it
from unscrewing. How often do you have to adjust the screws? Regards,

saroffme · Post by **saroffme** » Sat Feb 08, 2003 5:20 pm

Your problem is that the screw is either stripped
or that the screw hole is too big for the screw. I would recomend that you put a
drop of fingernail pollish on the screw threads and it will make the screw stick
in the screw hole. It was a trick that my eyedoctor told me about a loose screw
on my glasses. Good luck.[;)]

Tachugar · Post by **Tachugar** » Sun Mar 02, 2003 9:53 am

i have an armstrong and i have the same problem
though mine is only 3 months old. one thing i know for sure is that is that
arstrong i will never buy again![:(]

cujo · Post by **cujo** » Mon Sep 15, 2003 10:17 pm

Teflon Tape! A little nonsticky teflon tape should
work. Just put a little TINY bit around the treads. Will fill in the gaps of the
threads to make it a tighter fit. MAKE sure to only use a LITTLE. Teflon tape is
also called plumbers tape.

trebleclef0123 · Post by **trebleclef0123** » Thu Sep 18, 2003 9:52 pm

I've got a Selmer Bundy Flute, and, though I love
it with all my heart and soul, mine has the same problem. I've got to screws in
the body of it which occasionally unscrew a bit, but it has never affected my
flute. However, you might want to see the nearest music store and have them
check it out.

cujo · Post by **cujo** » Thu Sep 18, 2003 11:29 pm

oF course plumbers or teflon tape is only a quick
temporary solution. A repair shop will definatly be able to cure your problem.
If this problem comes back again, fairly quick..I suggest a different repair
shop.

krzymunkey · Post by **krzymunkey** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 10:15 pm

put a little nail polish on it (the clear types)
though you have to reapply it once in a while, it really works on most of my
screws, plus, i found the clear nail polish in the 99 cent store [;)] hope this
helps!

cujo · Post by **cujo** » Tue Sep 23, 2003 8:59 pm

I hope you only use that nailpolish idea on very
cheap models. For that a drop of fairly weak loctite should work better and be
more permanent... I suggested teflon tape or even a bit a saran wrap as a
temporary solution and because they are not chemicals and can easily be taken
off and repaired... Take a flute screw and post to a repairperson with
nailpolish on it and he may have to replace the post or burn off the polish or
other things not normally done. There is a semi-easy task of fixing this
professionally and nailpolish or loctite would just make things much harder for
someone who has to fix it....Only use polish or loctite on an instrument thats
not worth fixing.

Penny · Post by **Penny** » Sat Nov 22, 2003 10:28 am

Some say I have had a screw loose for years, but I
can't tell.[:devil:]

TripleL · Post by **TripleL** » Sun Nov 23, 2003 11:02 am

i have a student flute that is an armstrong i
absolutely hate it. i changed teachers because mine went to college and this
teacher is more serious and my sound is a lot better but the screws constantly
cum loose and i always have leaks!!!! so the armstrong flutes r terrible! i
can't wait until i get an open holed flute!!! [:bigsmile:]

flutietootie4lyfe · Post by **flutietootie4lyfe** » Sun Nov 23, 2003 6:21 pm

I have an student armstrong for my marching band
flute (rain and expesive futes dont mix well) and I love it, while it doesnt
sound very well it never breaks aswell as other people that I know. I think you
might just have a bad flute or a destructive way of practicing

fluteandcomputercountrybo · Wed Mar 24, 2004 2:03 pm

i will tell you this about a screw problem. every
flute has atleast one screw that will give you problems. i own a yamaha flute. i
have to screw in that little screw once a week. BUT A LIL WARNING NEVER NEVER
NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER SCREW IN A SCREW TIGHT LEAVE IT A LITTLE LOOSE! i
hope this helps you out. [;)]