I received a flute a while back (for free), but there is a problem with it. The end cap is firmly stuck in the head piece. Not where it usually should be but IN the actual airway. I presume I could take this to a professional to repair but I wondered if anybody knows of a way I could easily do this myself?
Thank you for any replies.
Endcap stuck in head piece....
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pied_piper
- Posts: 1962
- Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2007 1:31 pm
- Location: Virginia
A little clarification is needed to be sure we are talking about the same thing. The crown is the part that is on the end of the flute headjoint and the cork (or stopper) is inside the headjoint tube and is usually attached to the crown by a threaded rod.
It sounds like you are saying that the cork is positioned in the wrong place and is partially obscuring the embouchure hole. Is that correct?
If so, a professional repair technician has a tool that can remove it if it is stuck. If you are VERY handy with tools and want to try to remove it yourself, you must be careful not to damage the tube or embouchure plate in the process. If this is a student model flute, then there is less risk of damage because of the materials used to make student flutes. They are usually a bit more rugged. If it is a high-end flute made of sterling silver or gold, then I'd advise taking it to a pro.
Assuming that this is NOT a sterling silver or gold headjoint, you can remove the stopper using a 1/2 inch wood dowel rod. Unscrew and remove the crown to expose the screw in the stopper. Stand the dowel rod vertically on a secure/stable surface. You might need an extra set of hands when doing this to help hold the dowel. Turn the headjoint so that the small end and screw-end of the stopper is pointing down and insert the dowel so that it presses against the end of the screw. Grasp the headjoint securely with both hands (avoid grabbing the embouchure plate - place one hand above it and one below) and gently press it down onto the dowel to push the stopper toward the larger end (the end that goes into the flute body). If that does not move it easily, you can try holding the dowel and headjoint as a unit a couple of inches above a table or workbench and tapping it down onto the table to try dislodging the stuck stopper. Be sure that the dowel/headjoint are perfectly vertical. If the dowel is at an angle to headjoint, you can dent or bend the headjoint tubing - obviously something you want to avoid.
Once the cork is removed, it can be lubricated with a small amount of wax, cork grease, or even petroleum jelly. Then reinsert the cork, push it almost into the proper position using the cleaning rod. Reattach the crown and turn it clockwise to pull the cork into position. Check the cork position with the mark on the cleaning rod as you turn the crown. Stop when it is centered in the embouchure hole.
The procedure is really fairly simple but it's hard to describe in words. If this isn't clear, I can try to explain it further. Also, if you are not comfortable with any part of this, then take it to a pro...
It sounds like you are saying that the cork is positioned in the wrong place and is partially obscuring the embouchure hole. Is that correct?
If so, a professional repair technician has a tool that can remove it if it is stuck. If you are VERY handy with tools and want to try to remove it yourself, you must be careful not to damage the tube or embouchure plate in the process. If this is a student model flute, then there is less risk of damage because of the materials used to make student flutes. They are usually a bit more rugged. If it is a high-end flute made of sterling silver or gold, then I'd advise taking it to a pro.
Assuming that this is NOT a sterling silver or gold headjoint, you can remove the stopper using a 1/2 inch wood dowel rod. Unscrew and remove the crown to expose the screw in the stopper. Stand the dowel rod vertically on a secure/stable surface. You might need an extra set of hands when doing this to help hold the dowel. Turn the headjoint so that the small end and screw-end of the stopper is pointing down and insert the dowel so that it presses against the end of the screw. Grasp the headjoint securely with both hands (avoid grabbing the embouchure plate - place one hand above it and one below) and gently press it down onto the dowel to push the stopper toward the larger end (the end that goes into the flute body). If that does not move it easily, you can try holding the dowel and headjoint as a unit a couple of inches above a table or workbench and tapping it down onto the table to try dislodging the stuck stopper. Be sure that the dowel/headjoint are perfectly vertical. If the dowel is at an angle to headjoint, you can dent or bend the headjoint tubing - obviously something you want to avoid.
Once the cork is removed, it can be lubricated with a small amount of wax, cork grease, or even petroleum jelly. Then reinsert the cork, push it almost into the proper position using the cleaning rod. Reattach the crown and turn it clockwise to pull the cork into position. Check the cork position with the mark on the cleaning rod as you turn the crown. Stop when it is centered in the embouchure hole.
The procedure is really fairly simple but it's hard to describe in words. If this isn't clear, I can try to explain it further. Also, if you are not comfortable with any part of this, then take it to a pro...
"Never give a flute player a screwdriver."
--anonymous--
--anonymous--