Hello,
I recently came into a great priced antique flute made from Grenadilla wood. The flute was cheap enough that I could buy it and not feel too bad about it. It is 26" long, not sure what key that would be. It is missing 2 keys, and has 2 small hairline cracks. It needs new pads too. I figure this will give me a good project to work on, the only problem is, I don’t know a thing about repairing flutes. Could anyone tell me where I can get supplies or is there a site or book with info about this stuff?
Sounds a bit short !
I am never sure what people mean by Grenadilla wood. the term seems misused so much.
If you only want superglue and pads it should be pretty easy.
A Google search should throw up firms like Windcraft, I believe it is.
You should soon forge a new pair of silver keys, given seven years practice.
Andrew’s correct about thin superglue being the preferred method of self repair for small hairline cracks. Pads can be either bought or fixed with silicone aquarium seleant (search the board for pad and silicone and you should get a hit - I repadded an 8 key with this method and it worked fine).
As for the keys…which ones are missing? If it’s the bottom two, you can get by without them. If it’s another key, you’ll have to cork the hole closed or find replacement keys…try contacting a flute maker. I know Ralph Sweet repairs old flutes and sells them, so he might have some spare parts.
Alternately, I bet a competent woodwind repair person could fix you flute for a reasonable fee. They don’t need to be a wooden flute expert - just someone who has worked on clarinets or oboes.