m.Zentner Piccolo emergency

[Zevang]

Guys, I'm in an emergency here with a Zentner piccolo.
Thing is the L.H. steel rod is broken (the one where G, G#, A and Bb keys go). I don't have a precision lathe to make another one.
If anyone has this in spare, pleeeeease let me know.
S.N. is 4419.

Thanks a lot in advance!

Zevang

[fluteguy18]

Your biggest challenge is not going to be fashioning the rod but rather indexing and drilling the pin holes. Drill rod that has been ground to the proper thickness should suffice, but you are still going to have to index, drill, and ream the pin holes then fit new pins. I'm doubting that it's pinless, but if it is, you could get away with properly sized drill rod and a file and calipers to measure length. Then just insert it like the original and swedge as needed. Of course you would ideally re-ream the hinge tubes to install an oversized rod so you don't have a swedging nightmare, but that can get complicated without the proper equipment.

[Zevang]

Thanks Fluteguy!

I've succesfully done it before for a R.H. Yamaha flute rod that had 3 pin holes. The big difference in this case is that the end hole is conical (to match the L.H. screw rod). I sure can give it a try, but it will take me sometime and the customer is really in need of the instrument.
If I can have one quickly, it would be better now

Cheers

[mirwa]

Not an easy one to do.

Even new rods from manufacturers need to be drilled, so its a definete in house job.

A person also needs the keywork and instrument to get it right, regarding length, pin locations etc

[Zevang]

I'm currently making a new one with the help of a machinist that has good lathes.
We will possibly have to do more than one to get a winner
Thanks for your words!