I am considering repairing a crack (myself) on the head joint of a rosewood G folk fife ~ http://www.sweetheartflute.com/folkfifes.html
The local woodwind expert did not seem interested. Now, I am doing a bit of research to see how D.I.M. I am (Do It Myself)
The headjoint is cracking where the 2 pieces slip together. The crack is long (& wide) enough that it allows air to escape.
I am familiar with woodworking, in terms of hardwood furniture construction ~ gluing & clamping, joinery, repair . . . but no experience with instrument repair.
This is the 1st step. I started a membership with Chiff & Fipple & have yet to post. Thought I'd give y'all a crack.
Thanks in advance!
Ben
Without seeing the crack, here's one idea:
If the fit is still snug enough, try epoxy or epoxy mixed with sawdust which matches the color of the wood, then file/sand inside of socket. If fit is loose, use a strong rubberband or a clamp to close crack enough to give a snug fit, but not snug enough to cause another crack, then epoxy. There's also epoxy gel for larger repairs. Another thought, send it back to Sweetheart for a repair or possibly a new head. Good luck. -Kerry
Random, an expert trawler of old threads like you will have no trouble finding the answer in old discussions on C&F. Try searching for 'cyanoacrylate' (but check the spelling first !)
I'm a violin restorer, not a flute man, but the advice in Random's links all looks good to me. Personally, if the split doesn't go back together cleanly I would cut a shaving to fit it rather than using a sawdust mix, but the sawdust mix will work, it just isn't as pretty.
You definitely need to use cyano not epoxy, and get the thinnest grade you can find, so that it will wick into the extremities of the crack.
The other thing that isn't mentioned is that rosewood is a naturally oily timber, so even if you haven't oiled the flute you need to degrease it to allow the glue to grip - flush the crack out thoroughly with lighter fluid (the stuff you put in zippos, not the gas!) and let it dry, then repeat the process two or three times before trying to glue it.
Thanks for the responses! I will contact Ralph Sweet, thanks.
Good tip about using the thinnest grade of cyano for wicking into the extremities, skreech.
I did get a chuckle on one of the chiff comments, "Geez, if you've got hose clamps, why even bother with the glue? ;)"
No worries, I'll try to do a clean repair.
Cheers,
Ben
I successfully repaired a crack in my flute using superglue and fine sandpaper dust from a bit of ebony (african blackwood?) that I had. The crack was quite narrow, less than 1 mil, and had a metal lining beneath, but is now virtually invisible.
I successfully repaired a crack after talking to a distant flute repair fella who recommended super thin ( the thinner the better) hobby/craft glue. It pours like water and sets in a few seconds .The glue must contain "cyanoacrylate", and it is brilliant! If it is a long crack you may require a second application and I was advised (seriously) not to touch my eyelids as it may glue them together. Any excess glue can be removed with sandpaper, and you shouldn't play the flute x 24 hours as a precaution. Be careful with the pouring as it will adhere to anything very quickly!
flute/fife repair
flute/fife repair
I am considering repairing a crack (myself) on the head joint of a rosewood G folk fife ~ http://www.sweetheartflute.com/folkfifes.html
The local woodwind expert did not seem interested. Now, I am doing a bit of research to see how D.I.M. I am (Do It Myself)
The headjoint is cracking where the 2 pieces slip together. The crack is long (& wide) enough that it allows air to escape.
I am familiar with woodworking, in terms of hardwood furniture construction ~ gluing & clamping, joinery, repair . . . but no experience with instrument repair.
This is the 1st step. I started a membership with Chiff & Fipple & have yet to post. Thought I'd give y'all a crack.
Thanks in advance!
Ben
# Posted on October 26th 2009 by Random_notes
Re: flute/fife repair
Flute Glue???
http://forums.chiffandfipple.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=69619&p=912244&hilit=crack+crack+repair#p912244
still searching.
# Posted on October 27th 2009 by Random_notes
1st post on flute glue; http://forums.chiffandfipple.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=69619&p=912244&hilit=crack+crack+repair
# Posted on October 27th 2009 by Random_notes
Re: flute/fife repair
Without seeing the crack, here's one idea:
If the fit is still snug enough, try epoxy or epoxy mixed with sawdust which matches the color of the wood, then file/sand inside of socket. If fit is loose, use a strong rubberband or a clamp to close crack enough to give a snug fit, but not snug enough to cause another crack, then epoxy. There's also epoxy gel for larger repairs. Another thought, send it back to Sweetheart for a repair or possibly a new head. Good luck. -Kerry
# Posted on October 27th 2009 by Kerry Evan
Re: flute/fife repair
Contact Ralph Sweet:
ralphsweet@aol.com
and see what you need to do. He's a great guy and will give you the proper information for your fife.
# Posted on October 27th 2009 by Toppish
Re: flute/fife repair
Random, an expert trawler of old threads like you will have no trouble finding the answer in old discussions on C&F. Try searching for 'cyanoacrylate' (but check the spelling first !)
# Posted on October 27th 2009 by david_h
Re: flute/fife repair
I'm a violin restorer, not a flute man, but the advice in Random's links all looks good to me. Personally, if the split doesn't go back together cleanly I would cut a shaving to fit it rather than using a sawdust mix, but the sawdust mix will work, it just isn't as pretty.
You definitely need to use cyano not epoxy, and get the thinnest grade you can find, so that it will wick into the extremities of the crack.
The other thing that isn't mentioned is that rosewood is a naturally oily timber, so even if you haven't oiled the flute you need to degrease it to allow the glue to grip - flush the crack out thoroughly with lighter fluid (the stuff you put in zippos, not the gas!) and let it dry, then repeat the process two or three times before trying to glue it.
# Posted on October 27th 2009 by skreech
Re: flute/fife repair
Thanks for the responses! I will contact Ralph Sweet, thanks.
Good tip about using the thinnest grade of cyano for wicking into the extremities, skreech.
I did get a chuckle on one of the chiff comments, "Geez, if you've got hose clamps, why even bother with the glue? ;)"
No worries, I'll try to do a clean repair.
Cheers,
Ben
# Posted on October 27th 2009 by Random_notes
Re: flute/fife repair
I successfully repaired a crack in my flute using superglue and fine sandpaper dust from a bit of ebony (african blackwood?) that I had. The crack was quite narrow, less than 1 mil, and had a metal lining beneath, but is now virtually invisible.
# Posted on October 27th 2009 by gam
Re: flute/fife repair
I successfully repaired a crack after talking to a distant flute repair fella who recommended super thin ( the thinner the better) hobby/craft glue. It pours like water and sets in a few seconds .The glue must contain "cyanoacrylate", and it is brilliant! If it is a long crack you may require a second application and I was advised (seriously) not to touch my eyelids as it may glue them together. Any excess glue can be removed with sandpaper, and you shouldn't play the flute x 24 hours as a precaution. Be careful with the pouring as it will adhere to anything very quickly!
# Posted on October 29th 2009 by bwilsonmd