I have a case that came with my flute with what I consider to be inferior interior outfitting. The exterior is fine and the hinges/locks are fine.
What I have in mind is custom crafting a foam-like interior that perfectly fits my flute, then covering it in velvet or silk or the like.
Does anyone have experience with this? For example, what kind of padding do I use - perhaps I should not use foam rubber? Any recommendations you have regarding materials would be most welcome.
Also, I saw this flute case online at finecases.com and thought it might work for toting around a flute and tin whistle. Anyone have experience with these cases? ProTec A-302/MT Metro Flute Carry-All Bag
I retro-fitted an old hardshell clarinet case to hold my Copley keyless flute, and I had room left over to hold two furry swabs, a swab wand and silk swab in a plastic baggie, a hygrometer, bore oil, and cork grease. In a pinch I can fit a d whistle in as well, all in a separate groove from the flute.
First, I took out the old interior, which was velvet over cardboard, some foam filler, and wood dividers. I replaced that with foam blocks--the kind craft stores sell to re-pad bar stools. I planned out my dividers, made them all out of wood slats, and covered everything in some micro-suede (also from the craft store). Each flute piece rests in its own compartment, cradled by foam and the micro-suede, and protected by the hard exterior of the case. The lid is filled with foam and covered with the same micro-suede. It looks great and really pampers the flute.
It's fairly easy to cut and shape the foam and any structural dividers, but it helps to plan and measure out everthing in advance. I drew a couple of basic layout sketches before settling on one design. Also, I used a craft glue that bonds foam, fabric, wood, and plastic. It's held up very well. The only drawback to it was I had to let the case air out as it dried and 'gassed out"--for about two days, and my cats thought it was a comfy spot to nap.
I adapted an old wooden slide case - the slots will take the dividers. I also used foam glued in and then covered with a very soft fabric. room for one flute , brush, several whistles etc. But beware, as Will said it takes time to 'gas out' - as I learnt on a very hot day in a very hot session in Milltown. As several people left to wash their feet thinking it was them, I had to remove offending article and revert to the old cloth and bag method of carrying the flute until the smell had dissipated!
I use plastic gun cases for my wooden flutes when I am in Michigan. The "eggbox" shaped foam inside keep the flutes perfectly secure and does not seem to harm them in any way.
I have the 808 which is big enough for a flute and a couple of piccolos or whistles, and the 807 which is a bit smaller. The new 809 looks very good. I prefer the clasps and hinges of that design.
The added advantage is that I can dampen the back of the foam to increase the humidity inside the box. Essential for wooden flutes to survive the dryness of a Michigan winter. (I found out the hard way what happens if I don't do this - 3 cracked flutes. OUCH!)
Micro-suede is a fabric that looks and feels like suede, except it's lightweight and drapes easily--good for form-fitting to the ins and outs of a flute case. It's also cheaper than suede, and the stuff I used was even cheaper than velvet, but had a similar plushness to it. Looks great and surrounds the flute in softness..
My flute came with a somewhat inferior wooden box... I cut up old socks and used contact cement to create custom compartments for it... Not the most attractive solution but completely functional for travel etc. (I'm not much concerned with the look of it all as long as the flute inside is safe, sound, and humidified...)
I use Spanish Cedar cigar boxes. Your local tobacconist may have them for sale. I just cut some foam to make internal compartments, nothing fancy.
Or you could carry the flute in the inside pocket of your Harris Tweed jacket, to look suitably quaint. I like what Ciaran Carson says about with the flute you can pose as a non-musician if so desired!
Or you could use a samurai sword / wakazashi sheath, slung on your back or at your hip. Flute-sabre! Bvvvzzzzzooowwwwmmmmmmmm..... (You don't know the power of the dark side of the tunes)
My flute came in a soft case made by Jean Cavallaro (Instrument Case Covers), and since I am a woodworker, considered making a wooden case for it, found that it was very protective, lined with wool, easy to use and held not only my wooden flute but several whistles, a swabbing stick and a swab, a vial of almond oil. With a black Nylon cover, it fit very nicely under my arm and except for the fact that it is inconspicious, the only problem was that it was so inconspicious that I didn't realize I didn't have it with me one night , and after much anguish and offers of reward for lost flute.......wow am I rambling or what?
WB
Flute case questions
Flute case questions
I have a case that came with my flute with what I consider to be inferior interior outfitting. The exterior is fine and the hinges/locks are fine.
What I have in mind is custom crafting a foam-like interior that perfectly fits my flute, then covering it in velvet or silk or the like.
Does anyone have experience with this? For example, what kind of padding do I use - perhaps I should not use foam rubber? Any recommendations you have regarding materials would be most welcome.
Also, I saw this flute case online at finecases.com and thought it might work for toting around a flute and tin whistle. Anyone have experience with these cases? ProTec A-302/MT Metro Flute Carry-All Bag
Thanks!
# Posted on March 22nd 2005 by kate-dowling
Re: Flute case questions
I retro-fitted an old hardshell clarinet case to hold my Copley keyless flute, and I had room left over to hold two furry swabs, a swab wand and silk swab in a plastic baggie, a hygrometer, bore oil, and cork grease. In a pinch I can fit a d whistle in as well, all in a separate groove from the flute.
First, I took out the old interior, which was velvet over cardboard, some foam filler, and wood dividers. I replaced that with foam blocks--the kind craft stores sell to re-pad bar stools. I planned out my dividers, made them all out of wood slats, and covered everything in some micro-suede (also from the craft store). Each flute piece rests in its own compartment, cradled by foam and the micro-suede, and protected by the hard exterior of the case. The lid is filled with foam and covered with the same micro-suede. It looks great and really pampers the flute.
It's fairly easy to cut and shape the foam and any structural dividers, but it helps to plan and measure out everthing in advance. I drew a couple of basic layout sketches before settling on one design. Also, I used a craft glue that bonds foam, fabric, wood, and plastic. It's held up very well. The only drawback to it was I had to let the case air out as it dried and 'gassed out"--for about two days, and my cats thought it was a comfy spot to nap.
# Posted on March 22nd 2005 by Will Harmon
Re: Flute case questions
What is micro-suede? It sounds very useful.
# Posted on March 22nd 2005 by Shrog
Re: Flute case questions
I adapted an old wooden slide case - the slots will take the dividers. I also used foam glued in and then covered with a very soft fabric. room for one flute , brush, several whistles etc. But beware, as Will said it takes time to 'gas out' - as I learnt on a very hot day in a very hot session in Milltown. As several people left to wash their feet thinking it was them, I had to remove offending article and revert to the old cloth and bag method of carrying the flute until the smell had dissipated!
# Posted on March 22nd 2005 by ab
Re: Flute case questions
I can't think of any reason why you should not use foam rubber.
# Posted on March 22nd 2005 by showaddydadito
Re: Flute case questions
I mean - there is no reason I know of against using it, and by all means cover it with whatever looks pretty.
# Posted on March 22nd 2005 by showaddydadito
Re: Flute case questions
I use plastic gun cases for my wooden flutes when I am in Michigan. The "eggbox" shaped foam inside keep the flutes perfectly secure and does not seem to harm them in any way.
See http://www.mtmcase-gard.com/products/handgun/hand.html
I have the 808 which is big enough for a flute and a couple of piccolos or whistles, and the 807 which is a bit smaller. The new 809 looks very good. I prefer the clasps and hinges of that design.
The added advantage is that I can dampen the back of the foam to increase the humidity inside the box. Essential for wooden flutes to survive the dryness of a Michigan winter. (I found out the hard way what happens if I don't do this - 3 cracked flutes. OUCH!)
# Posted on March 22nd 2005 by jacs
Re: Flute case questions
Micro-suede is a fabric that looks and feels like suede, except it's lightweight and drapes easily--good for form-fitting to the ins and outs of a flute case. It's also cheaper than suede, and the stuff I used was even cheaper than velvet, but had a similar plushness to it. Looks great and surrounds the flute in softness..
# Posted on March 22nd 2005 by Will Harmon
Re: Flute case questions
My flute came with a somewhat inferior wooden box... I cut up old socks and used contact cement to create custom compartments for it... Not the most attractive solution but completely functional for travel etc. (I'm not much concerned with the look of it all as long as the flute inside is safe, sound, and humidified...)
# Posted on March 22nd 2005 by bestcraic
Re: Flute case questions
I use Spanish Cedar cigar boxes. Your local tobacconist may have them for sale. I just cut some foam to make internal compartments, nothing fancy.
Or you could carry the flute in the inside pocket of your Harris Tweed jacket, to look suitably quaint. I like what Ciaran Carson says about with the flute you can pose as a non-musician if so desired!
# Posted on March 23rd 2005 by KLR
Re: Flute case questions
Or you could use a samurai sword / wakazashi sheath, slung on your back or at your hip. Flute-sabre! Bvvvzzzzzooowwwwmmmmmmmm..... (You don't know the power of the dark side of the tunes)
# Posted on March 23rd 2005 by Q
Re: Flute case questions
My flute came in a soft case made by Jean Cavallaro (Instrument Case Covers), and since I am a woodworker, considered making a wooden case for it, found that it was very protective, lined with wool, easy to use and held not only my wooden flute but several whistles, a swabbing stick and a swab, a vial of almond oil. With a black Nylon cover, it fit very nicely under my arm and except for the fact that it is inconspicious, the only problem was that it was so inconspicious that I didn't realize I didn't have it with me one night , and after much anguish and offers of reward for lost flute.......wow am I rambling or what?
WB
# Posted on March 25th 2005 by wvwhistler