Flute Repairs & Maintenance - Starter Tools

[mirwa]

I got my acceptance letter to RedWing's instrument repair program. I'm pretty sure that I'm going.

Excellent, you will enjoy, I have some good friends who graduated from there, remember if you do the course and complete the studies you will have a good understanding to start with, your ability to grow from there is subjective to your dedication in fine tuning your basic skills.

Steve

[mirwa]

Next bar ... Footjoint diassembly/ reassembly, just with a slight complexity - the C key does not fully close simultaneously when the Broller is pressed - a gap of about <1mm from seal

If the C key does not close then that means the C# contact point is preventing it from doing so. (if we are talking about the C Roller)

I suspect if this has only just happened, that the cork or felt sitting on top of the C# under the roller has dis-appeared.

If it is in fact the B roller we are talking about (so it has a B foot joint) if you wish it to close then you need to attach some felt / cork under the touch point of the hook section.

Most people however use the rollers to simultaneoulsy bring the C and B down

Steve

[jim22]

the C key does not fully close simultaneously when the Broller is pressed - a gap of about <1mm from seal

It may be a bent key, but look for a cork piece that regulates them to close together. There should be one between c and c#. I'm not sure about b to c. I take it this is a flute with a b foot? Got any photos?

[flutego12]

Well, I guess I'll own up to it. I'm now starting to amass all of the tools mentioned here. I got my acceptance letter to RedWing's instrument repair program. I'm pretty sure that I'm going.

That's simply wonderful fluteguy18. You have a smorgasboard of programs to attend in the states. Over here, we have JLSmith&Co running a VERY short course during the flute festival followed by I imagine a lot of Tool cross-sales. ...

Congrats. Any views on my adjustment attack plan?

[flutego12]

Hi Steve, great to hear from you again.

Next bar ... Footjoint diassembly/ reassembly, just with a slight complexity - the C key does not fully close simultaneously when the Broller is pressed - a gap of about <1mm from seal

If the C key does not close then that means the C# contact point is preventing it from doing so. (if we are talking about the C Roller)you are so right Steve, caught me out. I stand corrected - it IS the C roller - not B, I had misquoted that.

I suspect if this has only just happened, that the cork or felt sitting on top of the C# under the roller has dis-appeared. Thanks! I read that somewhere but need to investigate what this really means or look likeOK, I found it Steve... thanks so much! It's so elusive I almost missed it. Of course the felt, ... does that mean I paste new felt the thickness that makes up the gap so that when the C roller is pressed, the same travel will close the gap because less travel is now required - so it closes exactly? Is this how it works? If so, how does one manage the felt thickness? Does one paste on top, or strip the old and put entirely new felt? I've found that in a C footjoint, this problem can become a non problem because it's easy for the pink to press both rollers at once to remove the symptoms. Hvg said that, every excuse to fix something =D and bring the flute back to the way it should be

If it is in fact the B roller we are talking about (so it has a B foot joint) if you wish it to close then you need to attach some felt / cork under the touch point of the hook section.

Most people however use the rollers to simultaneoulsy bring the C and B down as i do too

Steve

[flutego12]

This headcork seals beautifully - in fact it was VERY VERY DIFFICULT TO BUDGE taking it out, giving an impression of a tight seal. Does the Cork look like it needs replacing. My first impressions were that it is still very good visually though harder no longer as spongy. Tight fit but.

The inner plate is in full contact with cork.

Flute is 10 yo. Plays well but I've played more responsive.

[mirwa]

I would change it, as the top has started cracking.

Regarding the shimming of the C-C#, use cork not felt, attach and glue cork in place on the square platform attached to the C# key and sand it down to thickness required to close both keys simultaneously.

You can bend the key at the roller contact point, but usually when you bend it also changes the contact angle of the keycup as well, which in turn means that one side seals and the other side does not, in essence you have created a leak.

[flutego12]

I would change it, as the top has started cracking. O yes, though the colour on the sides looked good, I did wonder about the cracks on top. Do which supply of cork do you recommend? I m thinking of picking up either Medic or JLSmith flute repair kit - the stock standard any good? what about synthetic rubber plugs?

Regarding the shimming of the C-C#, use cork not felt, attach and glue cork in place on the square platform attached to the C# key and sand it down to thickness required to close both keys simultaneously.That makes perfect sense - the Yamaha 221 has felt on it, I can see it has flattened. Do cork sheets come in different thicknesses? I suppose the kits come with different cork sheets. I wish I had already sent for them, right now I'm stuck - no oil, no glue no cork

You can bend the key at the roller contact point, but usually when you bend it also changes the contact angle of the keycup as well, which in turn means that one side seals and the other side does not, in essence you have created a leak.

I will steer clear of this for a while yet

Incidentally my happily polished footjoint parts are in a box, all glossy and snug in separate glad bags. Q would the silver plate retarnish in plastic? Didn't want any dust settling on them Can't wait to reassemble. Quite happy that managed to disengage springs and unscrew the rods with existing tools at home.

Low hanging fruit is fun!
Not sure I look fwd to the middle joint.

Attachments:
Photo1: Just disassembled (before polishing)
Photos2&3: Post polishing - affected part requiring work

[JButky]

I've forgotten how much work it is to get a new shop up and running. So I am currently in the process of setting up the new shop here. I do plan on making quite a few of the "specialty" flute tools I use. Or at least spending time modifying existing tools. Spent about $5K for starters. That doesn't include what was already here..

I do have to say that building a new shop is both exciting and frustrating. But the end result is going to be great!

[flutego12]

I've forgotten how much work it is to get a new shop up and running. So I am currently in the process of setting up the new shop here. I do plan on making quite a few of the "specialty" flute tools I use. Or at least spending time modifying existing tools. Spent about $5K for starters. That doesn't include what was already here..

I do have to say that building a new shop is both exciting and frustrating. But the end result is going to be great!

Good times. When you mention modifying tools, is that to tailor fit to Altus because Pearl dimensions are different your repairs being an exact science. Is that a new Altus agency and did you mean you were setting up an Atelier?

[JButky]

Good times. When you mention modifying tools, is that to tailor fit to Altus because Pearl dimensions are different your repairs being an exact science. Is that a new Altus agency and did you mean you were setting up an Atelier?

Nope, Just like to use tools that are comfortable. Sometimes you tailor a tool to fit a task better, sometimes you just make it more comfortable to use. So they are not specific to any brand, just to make the work more efficient/comfortable.

[pied_piper]

Well, I guess I'll own up to it. I'm now starting to amass all of the tools mentioned here. I got my acceptance letter to RedWing's instrument repair program. I'm pretty sure that I'm going

Just curious... Is that in conjunction with your current position or will that be a separate endeavor?

[pied_piper]

FG18 & FG12 - You might find this of interest. A Redwing student has been blogging about her experiences learning BIR at Redwing. She's been posting a weekly blog (with photos) about what she's been learning there:

http://www.happybiradventuretime.blogspot.com/

[flutego12]

FG18 & FG12 - You might find this of interest. A Redwing student has been blogging about her experiences learning BIR at Redwing. She's been posting a weekly blog (with photos) about what she's been learning there:

http://www.happybiradventuretime.blogspot.com/

I love this blog! It has been most helpful from my perspective. She has been also wonderfully helping me recently to id useful tools and is a member of this forum but prefers to remain incognito. I'll leave it to her to ID herself.

[fluteguy18]

Well, I guess I'll own up to it. I'm now starting to amass all of the tools mentioned here. I got my acceptance letter to RedWing's instrument repair program. I'm pretty sure that I'm going

Just curious... Is that in conjunction with your current position or will that be a separate endeavor?

This is a separate endeavor. I ultimately decided that I did not find my position with that company fulfilling or gratifying ( to put it simply. I'll private message you details if you want). I did however find myself longing to be in the shop working on the flutes and since I was the only person who knew anything about old antique flutes I ended up acting as a consultant anytime those instruments came in for adjustment. So to make a long story short, I am not with that company anymore for a wide variety of reasons, but I am pursuing instrument repair. I wanted to go into repair as early as middle school. I started my performance degree with the intent of going to repair school afterward. Other ideas and dreams got in the way, but I'm back on track now.

Oh. And yes! I have enjoyed her blog immensely.