I know that I can measure the bore diameter with special gauges and even that I can make my own gauges turning them on a lathe but I don’t have a lathe and I would like to measure up some flutes so I will need to buy the gauges. I have seen some T shape telescoping gauges but I think they are to measure up bigger bores. I also know that the bores in old flutes are more eliptical than circular so the gauge should be able to measure to points.
So, do you know some comercial bore gauges that are suitable to flute measuring?
victor, you could buy on net some cheap t gauges to measure flute bore. they usually come in set of three, but you will not need bigest one.
to measure flute bore you must make handle of gauge longer, because those gauges are prety short…
you could find more details if you search throught flutemakers forum.
i could you send a photo of mine t gauges, but you must be little patient, bacause i am extremlly busy now.
marin
Hi,
I bought a couple of Starratt T bore gauges, with 12" handles, but they are a little pricey at $65 each. I recommend getting quality ones, over the cheap brand, as the cheap ones don’t work very well. You can probably find some good ones on eBay. You will need the 1/2"-3/4" for the body, and the smaller 3/8?-1/2" for the foot. the head joint needs the 3/4-1".
Hope this helps.
I bought some of the cheapies - they work but barely
LittleMachineShop has sets of 4 for $13, $50, or $121 for example (I’m just a usually satisfied customer) - I’d avoid the cheapest if I were you, you want to buy a cheap set, then again probably not worth the postage.
Search for telescoping gauge
Some longer handles would probably be useful to measure a flute
Usually the cheapest telescoping gauges will do. Grizzly Tool has some I think and you can find them cheap on eBay. Then use brass tubing from hobby stores to make an extension. Regular calipers (digital is okay) can be used to then measure the width of the bore at varying depths.
Bagpipe bores are challenging as these go below the capacity of these gauges. Usually I then use some tubing as a probe - and squeeze the metal to get different diameters. Its fairly precise. A similar approach could be used for measuring flute bores if one doesn’t want to spring for a gauge. A length of 3/8" rod with a slot at the end and then a piece of thin wood that fits the slot would work. One can then file away the wood, and reinsert this probe and record the depth and width. Use a very light touch to get accurate measurements and avoid marking up the bore.
Thanks to all, Jon, highwood and Casey. I plan to get a set of Starrett or Mitutoyo but not yet as the worldwide crisis has catched me. I have orderer a set of cheap telescopic gauges from ebay. I will follow Casey’s advice and will make some extensions from brass tubing.
Highwood, I knew the small bore gauge but I think I won’t need them for the moment, if I will need them I will get them or use some rod with a known diameter to use it as a provisional gauge.
Anyway I will use the cheap telescopic gauges with care taking more than one measurement in the same point to avoid errors.
