Hello, all.
I’m eagerly awaiting a new flute that has corked lapped tenons. My present flute (a CB std. blackwood which plays like a dream, BTW) is thread wrapped. I made up a jar of beeswax/petroleum jelly for thread care, sort of the consistency of hard butter. If I cut this with more petroleum jelly for a softer consistency, would it work as cork grease? How soft? Does cork grease need some tackiness to it? Any other magical ingredient I can add? I haven’t seen the stuff in twenty years since I played saxophone in junior high. And, yup, I’m too frugal to buy it.
Cheers, Mike
The wax used to cover Baby Bel cheese is excellent for thread. You may have to increase your cheese consumption …
djm
Is that the red one or the yellow one? Do you think the low-fat variety will work as well???
Just don’t confuse your Bel wax with your BOL wax.
Seriously, though … I’d spring for the $2 worth of cork grease for your cork-lapped tenons. You can buy it in little Chap-Stik size tubes now that will fit right into your case. I don’t know about beeswax/petroleum jelly, but I do know the beeswax/linseed oil concoction I use is FAR too sticky – in fact, I use it specifically to TIGHTEN loose joints, not grease them (that’s also what I use on thread-wrapped tenons).
And petroleum jelly … eh, I don’t think I’d like that as far as waterproofing and petroleum-goop buildup go. Cork grease just seems the neatest and cleanest of the lot, with little or no soak-thru or accumulation.
But why not ask the maker?
Don’t confuse the accompanying cheese, either. 
djm
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!
Thanks, Peggy, DJM, and Cathy.
You’re right, Cathy, I should probably just spring for the commercial stuff and keep things tidy. I use a roll-type case right now, so neatness will count. I’ve just been on a bit of a DIY roll in preparation for this flute coming home: made my own Terry-McGee-Improved-Super-Cleaning-Swab- Thing, making my own roll and case. Helps pass the time while I wait for the mail. Suppose I could also just play some tunes…
Mike
“Handy With A Needle” – good on ya, Mike!
As my skill seems to only extend to chainsaws and tractors (I’m such a failure as a domestic female, alas; although I do wield a pretty mean crepe pan), I purchased a Cavallero soft roll for my flute. And wonder of wonders it actually has two little swatches/pockets of fabric sewn into the inside sheepskin near the top … pockets that happen to be EXACTLY the right size for the aforementioned Chap-Stik-sized cork grease and one of those little Humidistat humidifiers.
Maybe there’s room for similar enhancement to your version?
Good luck, and happy sewing!
When I got my D. Allen eight keyed, a bottle of selmer tuning slide and cork grease was included. Now I have to say that my flute is almost permanently attached to me, so I grease the joints at least once daily sometimes more (I’m getting about five hours playing a day at the mo’) and this little bottle seems to be bottomless! I’m sure that it only costs a few dollars at most so divide that by the eight months plus that I’ve been using it and whilst it might be satisfying to make your own is it really worth the cost?
A good question. A deep question…
Making things yourself is fun. The cost is minimal . . . a little beeswax and some oil . . . doesn’t everyone have those???
On a serious note, I’ve been using Chapstick All Natural on my cork. Vitamin E, jojoba, mango butter, beeswax, and candelilla. Soft and kissable.
I agree, use chap stick, I use one that has a vanilla scent.
Also do 50/50 wax-vasaline for the slide, just heat it up to melt it together. (Dave Copley’s recipe)
Jon
Or wax with a few drops of unrefined linseed oil. <Skelton’s recipe>
(Sorry for the weird wording, but “grease his cork” just sounded so … well, you know)
I seem to recall a warning from someone on the board, some years ago, to -not- use
the fruit-scented chapsticks because it attracted ants into that person’s flute!
I think it was a cherry or a strawberry, something like that.
Whether this was the actual cause of ant-attraction, I don’t know. I usually have water
by when I’m playing, but higher sugar beverages might imbue a flute with an attraction
for ants…
I’ve always used commercial ‘chap-stick like’ cork grease. I think it’s a little softer
and a little stickier than chapstick and other ‘lip grease’ products. Pure petroleum
jelly seems far and away too soft.
I’m a commercial cork grease person myself (for either cork or threads) - it’s less than a $1 locally and is really covenient, but I’ve used chapstick in a pinch.
Cathy - I now have images of John Skelton I never wanted to have…
Eric
So . . . so . . . well, yes! More so after thinking about it a while . . .
Ahem! I’m seeing a whole 'nother commercial venture possibility here–quality, all-natural flute oils and greases.
With the recent expansion of the Altoids line, one could have a choice of round sours tins, rectangular originals, or the new gum tins. You could even have your grease scented to match . . . tangerine, ginger, peppermint, cinnamon . . . endless possibilities.
Flute swabs, sticks, hygrometers, those little humidity things, little bonsai clippers for those with mossy flutes–just think of the market one would have!
[quote=“ChrisA”]
I usually have water
by when I’m playing, but higher sugar beverages might imbue a flute with an attraction
for ants…
quote]
That is good advice!!
I would also try to avoid sugar-laced food because of the pads in the instrument. I have had (oboe) students – usually middle school aged, butg sometimes older, who have had their pads sealed to their instrument because of the sugar in their breath. I paid too much for my flute to want that to happen, and besides — EWW!
[quote=“ChrisA”]
I usually have water
by when I’m playing, but higher sugar beverages might imbue a flute with an attraction
for ants…
quote]
That is good advice!!
I would also try to avoid sugar-laced food because of the pads in the instrument. I have had (oboe) students – usually middle school aged, butg sometimes older, who have had their pads sealed to their instrument because of the sugar in their breath. I paid too much for my flute to want that to happen, and besides — EWW!