New Toy in the Workshop

[mirwa]

Steve, thanks for the info. It happened that the only model available nearby was this one I have now. I saw Smith's website and thought of that as a "must have" in the future. Thanks for your impressions.

Nothing wrong with what you have. If you have to take a tenon off a flute, then with the current setup you have now, it will be ideal, however when the time comes for fine work, example key building you need the super fine tips to control the heat.

[mirwa]

oops. I'd forgotten to attach after failing to reduce it's page weight for uploading.

here it is.

That torch is more than sufficient for heating glue pellets when fitting the trill pads or c pad, just obviously remember butane runs hot so you can damage the silver plating. For pad work, an alcohol lamp is very safe

[flutego12]

oops. I'd forgotten to attach after failing to reduce it's page weight for uploading.

here it is.

That torch is more than sufficient for heating glue pellets when fitting the trill pads or c pad, just obviously remember butane runs hot so you can damage the silver plating. For pad work, an alcohol lamp is very safe

Thanks Mirwa! I shall have to get an alcohol lamp then. Didn't realize that the innocuous looking plastic wrapped torch could be so lethal to plating. Need to research into the different torches, flame categories and applications.

[mirwa]

Some temperatures to be mindful off

Butane runs at about 1400 deg Celsius,

Alcohol lamps run at about 600 deg Celsius

Silver plating melts around 950 deg Celsius,

Soft solder melts around 700 degrees, subject to what the manufacture of the solder saids

Silver solder is around 1300 degrees again dependant on the grade and any alloying content

Butane torches are very good for fast work, but extended exposure will destroy the plating. So care should be exercised, ideally use the non blue area of the flame on a butane torch when melting glues.

[flutego12]

Some temperatures to be mindful off

Butane runs at about 1400 deg Celsius,

Alcohol lamps run at about 600 deg Celsius

Silver plating melts around 950 deg Celsius,

Soft solder melts around 700 degrees, subject to what the manufacture of the solder saids

Silver solder is around 1300 degrees again dependant on the grade and any alloying content

Butane torches are very good for fast work, but extended exposure will destroy the plating. So care should be exercised, ideally use the non blue area of the flame on a butane torch when melting glues.

Noted. Thanks, Steve. I should print all these out.
Incidentally, why does none of the Yamaha student flute pads seem to be glued to the keys - and I've seen a few. Are pads only glued in professional flutes?

[mirwa]

Pads never get glued in unless they are the c or trill keys, these three are glued and floated to the correct position and approach angle.

Every other pad is retained in the key cup by some mechanical means.