Last night I noticed that the cork in my Dixon 3-piece polymer flute is going a bit green and manky.
It's also shrunk a little bit, which has affected its air-tightness in the tube, and this has affected the strength of the bottom D.
Has anyone tried using the plastic corks from bottles of cheap table wine? I should have a few of these around the place after next Sunday, and if they're any good I'll re-cork all my flutes with 'em.
Even the Seery, which is now in tune after a bit of attention from a friend's lathe!
Ways to seal include a mixture of beeswax and petroleum jelly, or you could use waxed tooth fleece tape - make sure it's the waxed variety so that it doesn't swell.
All I've ever used is petroleum jelly. Personally I go for the real cork, but then I'm using wooden flutes and not polymer - I don't know if the artificial would have any difference in effect.
Have fun finding the right cork, won't you! Don't forget how to go along "The top of Cork Road"!
Hic! G'd conternoon afterble...I'm under the incohol of affluence..hic!
Cork Rot
Cork Rot
Last night I noticed that the cork in my Dixon 3-piece polymer flute is going a bit green and manky.
It's also shrunk a little bit, which has affected its air-tightness in the tube, and this has affected the strength of the bottom D.
Has anyone tried using the plastic corks from bottles of cheap table wine? I should have a few of these around the place after next Sunday, and if they're any good I'll re-cork all my flutes with 'em.
Even the Seery, which is now in tune after a bit of attention from a friend's lathe!
# Posted on December 18th 2005 by Wurzel
Re: Cork Rot
You can always pop out the cork and soak/boil it...that'll rehydrate it and really help.
I've used the artificial cork (not plastic, but that rubbery material that looks like cork). Good stuff in my opinion.
If you want plain old cork, be sure and drink several bottles of wine so you'll have a good cork selection and some extra fun too...
Eric
# Posted on December 18th 2005 by Jayhawk
Re: Cork Rot
I use the artificial cork all the time and it works well for me.Half the fun is (hic) gathering all the corks!
# Posted on December 18th 2005 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Cork Rot
I use wine corks on my flutes - no problem.
Ways to seal include a mixture of beeswax and petroleum jelly, or you could use waxed tooth fleece tape - make sure it's the waxed variety so that it doesn't swell.
# Posted on December 18th 2005 by breandan
Re: Cork Rot
Hi Chris!
All I've ever used is petroleum jelly. Personally I go for the real cork, but then I'm using wooden flutes and not polymer - I don't know if the artificial would have any difference in effect.
Have fun finding the right cork, won't you! Don't forget how to go along "The top of Cork Road"!
Hic! G'd conternoon afterble...I'm under the incohol of affluence..hic!
Brianx
# Posted on December 18th 2005 by briantheflute