A few weeks back, I posted I had made a CPVC flute that I use for travel, hiking, etc…
Nothing fancy, in tune enough for friends and family, but it’s, well, plain whitish!
It screams for some form of decoration. I tried putting on some Celtic “tatoos” (simply B & W knotwork around the top and bottom of the flute) that started to flake after a few days. I tried the tatoos again with a coating of clear nail polish, but I’m pretty sure that will wear off with time.
I was just curious if anyone had any ideas for a more permanent decoration on CPVC. Does anyone know if I would need a special clear paint/shellac to cover any decoration?
I’d try posting this to the Yahoo group flute-tech, but my membership there has been pending for over two weeks now so I’m wondering if the group is inactive…
Since you already have the tattoo’s on it why not use them as the pattern and scratch the design in? Then ink and wipe. No artistic talent needed just some time and patience.
Hi again,
No I would’nt say I’m particularily talented at anything, much less artistically. I tried to make a low D whistle and simply put a Celtic Knot below the window with my surname below that. I copied the design from a necklace I saw on a Celtic jewelry site and practiced drawing it untill I could get it in proportion, I then used a non permanent marker to draw the knot before using a cheap engraver to grind away the ink. The whistle was rubbish by the way, the air required was un-real. At that point I gave up and bought a Low D.
I was peasantly surprized. I made a tuning slide and everything. The tuning on the thing is remarkably good in the first 1 1/2 octaves. Then it falls apart.
The real plus was that it required such a tight embouchre that when my Doyle got here 3 days later I was able play it immediately and make very nice sounds.
I’m intrigued with the whole flute-making thing and will probably continue to tinker a little. Who knows, I may become rich and famous selling therapeutic flutes to improve peoples’ embouchre. My motto could be: "If you can make music with a Jones flute…you can make music on anything!
Doc - that’s a classic motto! I agree it’s a fun and addictive hobby.
Have you tried adjusting the cork position? Moving the cork closer, or further, from the embouchure can help the tuning in the upper octave. Unfortunately, I can’t recall which way does what!
One fairly permanent way to decorate a flute is with xerographic toner transfers. Rick Miller’s flute page describes how to do this.
In essence, you make a photocopy of the REVERSE image of what you want on your cpvc. Then you tape that image onto your flute with the printed side pressed up tight on the flute. Heat the paper with a lighter or a dry iron. Soak in water to get the paper to loosen. The paper can be rubbed away, but the toner should heat-set to the surface of your flute. Same concept as the heat-setting of the toner in the first place. (You know how your photocopies are always warm when they come out of the machine? Same thing.)
Polyurethane Spray from Minwax will seal anything in. There is also a Shellac Spray made by Parks, which I like the finish to it more. Shellac however thins in Alcohol.
BTW - Flute-tech is still active. You might check your membership settings at Yahoogroups.com, much of the system has been reorganized in two years and maybe you fell through the cracks.
[ This Message was edited by: Daniel_Bingamon on 2002-11-02 11:04 ]
Hope that helps! I find his stuff to be interesting and fun to look at. I keep meaning to try making one of his double whistles. Of course, now that Erik Tullberg lives in my town, I’m gonna want to make one of HIS double whistles. Or buy it. Whatever.
