Delrin sources?

there was a song about that wasn’t there?

"Some transparent rhubarb
I shall Shirley ~~~

Am not going to use Delrin.

Instead I plan to use various colors of Cast Acrylic Resin, as well as Alternative Ivory. I should have examples of both before I leave for Lark Camp. Both are the same density as Blackwood. I’ve made flutes out of the Alternative Ivory before. Both machine great and especially so the Alternative Ivory. The Ornamental Turners use this stuff on their Holtzapfel inspired lathes and rose engines.

The machinability and predictability is my main requirement for this to work. Blackwood should be good but much of the perfect looking wood that I try ends up having cracks that are from savanna fires. One commonly doesn’t discover this until after the flute has received its final oiling and is otherwise ready to ship out. I’m fed up with this.

Also if I have to fight with the materials, I won’t use it. Delrin sounds like such a material to me and then there is the Formaldehyde risk. Plus I don;t really like a solid black color. The acrylic comes in several and I am looking at shades similar to antique bottle glass and Coca Cola bottle color. Maybe an obsidian if I can find it. The Alternative ivory looks like ivory - thoughthe swirly pattern used is definitely manufactured. Resembles the clouds of Jupiter!

Casey

Just a thought (why not mentioned by anyone yet?) - what about Ebonite?

Also see what the Bernolins have been up to…

Ebonite is similar to delrin as regards workability and general behaviour. It’s also very expensive and instrument grade ebonite is hard to get hold of. I’ve read penturners complaining of finding small bubbles, causing surface defects in the more easily available stuff. You wouldn’t want those to appear on your embouchure blowing edge, for example.

That’s described as an ivory coloured resin on the Bernolins site.

Another idea is to do what Buffet is doing - and make a blackwood filled casting resin. Apparently they are using all of their scraps for this now, turning the blackwood into dust and mixing it with the resin, with excellent results. Some of the wood that I have been getting is wood that they and the other big clarinet manufacturers rejected in the decades previously. Now they keep it all for this process.

Traditional ebonite has 1.5% lead or lead oxide in it, I think. I’d rather have Formaldehyde!

For now I am going on the go ahead green light with the Alternative Ivory -and am researching the colors for the Acrylic. I am drawn towards an antique green glass as well as antique Coca Cola transparent shades. Some machining details to work out but also a slam dunk. Rod Cameron has used both and what is good for him is great for me.

Casey