Someone managed to knock my lehart to the floor last night and it now has two hairline cracks top and bottom of the top hole, they dont look devastating and flute still plays ok, however, what can i use to stop the cracks developing further..?
Thin crazy glue. Fill the crack with the stuff (it may take 2 or three applications). Wonderful stuff, removable by a maker if you ever need more of a fix.
If it's a fine instrument, DO NOT do the repair yourself. A good repair person can make it like it never happened, which is important if the crack goes all the way to the bore. You might even consider a guitar repair person because they are used to working with wooden instruments.
Thanx for replies to date. Its a Lehart 6 key, so very good flute, Im tempted to do it myself, as not a lot of flute repair shops here in Spain. What is thin crazy glue.?
I would recommend taking your flute to a professional repairer.
Cracks are repaired using a technique called `crack-pinning`.
Essentially what happens is a couple of small holes are drilled either side of the cracks and then crack pinning wire is used to draw the crack together and prevent it from getting worse. small gauge piano wire can be used for purpose.
With this being such a good flute, it's probably better to repair it properly the first time for your ease of mind.
Crazy glue is an American name for Superglue, or cyanoacrylate. Personally I wouldn't put it on a good flute, if some runs away it won't do the finish of the wood much good.
Supaglue and ebony dust is the standard filler for cracks (in combination with pinning) in woodwinds and widely used by repairers. In fact it finishes like wood and is next to invisible. I have had key blocks seemlessly replaced with the help of this.
Fine for a professional repairer to use it, but I would probably end up doing more damage than good with it. The back of my beater fiddle is testament to that.... (still sounds great though)
Thanx to everyone who has contributed to this, all noted, I have used some wood glue and it seems ok, I am back in UK later in year, so hopefully can have it rechecked and redone from a pro while there.
Too many gigs at present to send it back for a week for repair, so hopefully I am doing right, hmm now thinking of a second flute in case this happens again and Im not so lucky. Thankx again to all.
Help...Flute repair
Help...Flute repair
Someone managed to knock my lehart to the floor last night and it now has two hairline cracks top and bottom of the top hole, they dont look devastating and flute still plays ok, however, what can i use to stop the cracks developing further..?
# Posted on March 7th 2007 by Dave_
Re: Help...Flute repair
Thin crazy glue. Fill the crack with the stuff (it may take 2 or three applications). Wonderful stuff, removable by a maker if you ever need more of a fix.
Eric
# Posted on March 7th 2007 by Jayhawk
Re: Help...Flute repair
http://www.karalochridge.com/
Or your local woodwind repair person might be a help.
# Posted on March 7th 2007 by Tintin
Re: Help...Flute repair
If it's a fine instrument, DO NOT do the repair yourself. A good repair person can make it like it never happened, which is important if the crack goes all the way to the bore. You might even consider a guitar repair person because they are used to working with wooden instruments.
# Posted on March 7th 2007 by Ailin
Re: Help...Flute repair
You could always whip silk thread around it.
Have a look at Brian's in the picture here:
http://www.kaled.org.uk/flutelesson/
# Posted on March 7th 2007 by Wurzel
Re: Help...Flute repair
Thanx for replies to date. Its a Lehart 6 key, so very good flute, Im tempted to do it myself, as not a lot of flute repair shops here in Spain. What is thin crazy glue.?
# Posted on March 8th 2007 by Dave_
Re: Help...Flute repair
Hi there,
I would recommend taking your flute to a professional repairer.
Cracks are repaired using a technique called `crack-pinning`.
Essentially what happens is a couple of small holes are drilled either side of the cracks and then crack pinning wire is used to draw the crack together and prevent it from getting worse. small gauge piano wire can be used for purpose.
With this being such a good flute, it's probably better to repair it properly the first time for your ease of mind.
Cheers
pkev
# Posted on March 8th 2007 by pkev
Re: Help...Flute repair
Crazy glue is an American name for Superglue, or cyanoacrylate. Personally I wouldn't put it on a good flute, if some runs away it won't do the finish of the wood much good.
# Posted on March 8th 2007 by Wurzel
Re: Help...Flute repair
Supaglue and ebony dust is the standard filler for cracks (in combination with pinning) in woodwinds and widely used by repairers. In fact it finishes like wood and is next to invisible. I have had key blocks seemlessly replaced with the help of this.
# Posted on March 8th 2007 by kilfarboy
Re: Help...Flute repair
Fine for a professional repairer to use it, but I would probably end up doing more damage than good with it. The back of my beater fiddle is testament to that.... (still sounds great though)
# Posted on March 9th 2007 by Wurzel
Re: Help...Flute repair
Thanx to everyone who has contributed to this, all noted, I have used some wood glue and it seems ok, I am back in UK later in year, so hopefully can have it rechecked and redone from a pro while there.
Too many gigs at present to send it back for a week for repair, so hopefully I am doing right, hmm now thinking of a second flute in case this happens again and Im not so lucky. Thankx again to all.
# Posted on March 9th 2007 by Dave_