with my quest to find a delrin/polymer flute I managed to get an older
M&E standard with simple rings and a cutaway at the back of the embouchure, its a heavy flute but does have a great sound.
I am looking for another flute preferably in Delrin and again in the Rudall and rose style, as this sound really appeals to me, although I have played one other flute a delrin Paddy Ward hawkes copy although a great flute, It did’nt tick all the boxes on the sound for me.
So just after all the makers names that will still work with delrin other than
Seery, and M&E’S PVC model.
Also if anyone has a delrin flute that they are considering selling Rudall model or similar let me know
Jon C has made delrin flutes in the past. I’ve had his Rudall and Carte large holed and larger bore version, and his R+R version, and both were fine. I did briefly have an M+E, and liked the sound and playability, but I prefer the look of the Jon C, the flute is lighter, and both played very well. I use the R+R as my travel flute, and don’t feel that I am taking a step down when I play it.
Heh heh, I might have agreed, had I not also made a head in ebonite (which I guess we can fairly say was the predecessor of delrin). Delrin smells a bit funny - ebonite makes your workshop smell like a tyre factory. Like Delrin, ebonite cuts into long chains that wrap around the work, making visibility difficult. Delrin resists sanding, ebonite virtually refuses to sand!
So compared to ebonite, delrin is almost benign. But it’s much less fun than turning wood. Makes a good flute though.
I just got back from the Swannanoa Gathering in Asheville this afternoon. One part of the (amazing) week was sitting in the flute class with Dcopley. He brought some flutes for sale. The gearheads in presence (myself included) spent a lot of time playing them. Here are my impressions from playing and hearing them. On the plus side:
They are priced to compete with the Burns FF, and significantly cheaper then the M & E polymer.
In tune and plenty of volume.
Easy to play
Easy to get a good “Irish” tone.
NOT heavy, but quite comfortable and ergonomic. In this respect they clearly surpass the M & E polymer.
_On the downside:
_
-No tuning slide
Were it not for my vow of flute monogamy, I’d have one of these flutes already. They are a great addition to the market, and I predict will become a front-runner in the “first flute” or “travel flute” categories. I was very impressed.
Other than making a couple of head joints I had been a little wary of working with Delrin for the reasons Terry mentions. However the long shavings can be made more manageable if you put a vacuum nozzle right up close to the tool and suck the continuous shaving straight into a shopvac or dust collector. Jon C gave me some useful tips on surface finishing, so now I am up and running with making Delrin flutes. Not as enjoyable as working with wood, but there are some advantages, like not having to wait several months for seasoning.
I have just signed in this forum, I have just made my 3rd flute and is of delrin, all of my interest have been on the one key flute, I made a copy of a T.LOT flute, hope I do can post a picture ( not very clear)and some small sound clips(not sure how to), my idea was to make this flutes in wood (the 2 first ones were from granadillo), but I did this one to experiment, now I purched some more also in white to do some more, it does take a little more patience to work on it.
Re: posting sound clips - have a look through the Sticky thread on Posting Clips and you’ll find all the technical computering advice needed. I’d love to hear what your flute sounds like.
I think I learned how to do, these are 2 small clips just done as experimenting from the mic that the monitor has while I was still finishing the flute a couple of weeks ago, they are not of very good quality but they can show the sound of this Delrin traverso, any opinion welcomed
Daniel, it would be better for most of us if you converted your wav files into mp3 format before posting. Box net can then allow them to be played direct without downloading. Read some more of the tips in Posting Clips! I’m no expert on this, but other members here are!
I’ll second this. I got to spend a little time on one as well and I was quite impressed. I had been thinking of buying a flute that could take a little abuse because I’m trying to revive my outdoor activity interests and having a few tunes in a kayak in the middle of the Tennessee river has an odd appeal to me. I haven’t had opportunity to compare lots and lots of flutes, but I like this one. I’m planning to add this one to my collection for it’s durability and affordability.
