Unusual flute pad fittings.

[TimWhitehead]

I recently bought an old Boosey and Hawkes Regent flute, which is in need of re-padding.

But when I took the keys off I found something I wasn't expecting, instead of the pads being held in place with washers and screws, there's a small metal button with 2 tiny pinholes and a slightly larger round hole in the middle. I haven't tried to remove them yet as I'm afraid it may damage the keys if I do it wrong.

Does anyone know anything about this unusual style of fitting? Do I need any special tools/techniques to take them off/replace them?

[JButky]

I recently bought an old Boosey and Hawkes Regent flute, which is in need of re-padding.

But when I took the keys off I found something I wasn't expecting, instead of the pads being held in place with washers and screws, there's a small metal button with 2 tiny pinholes and a slightly larger round hole in the middle. I haven't tried to remove them yet as I'm afraid it may damage the keys if I do it wrong.

Does anyone know anything about this unusual style of fitting? Do I need any special tools/techniques to take them off/replace them?

Pictures would help. Sounds like the old style Center threaded post and pad retainer. Probably a fairly old flute. There was a tool that had pin ends that would fit into those holes so you could unscrew the retainer. You probably need to make one or grind down a fairly rigid pair of small tweezers to get into the holes to unscrew the retainer off.

The threaded post is attached to the key cup.

[mirwa]

Yes, not that uncommon on some of the older flutes, I find a set of small circlip pliers works perfectly, if thats no good then two needle springs held in each hand works as well.

Put a small washer ( plastic) on the underside when you screw them back in, thy have a tendency to stretch the pad skin as they are tightening up