I’ve made a little humidity chamber for my wood instruments. They do seem to play so much better when I keep them from drying out, and I certainly want to avoid cracking during the winter months. What humidity range should I be aiming for? Thanks for your input.
Dana
The hygrometer that Dave sent me for my Copley flute usually reads anywhere from 60 to 65 in the container I keep it in. I live where it’s typically very humid outside, but airconditioned or heated indoors…
So I don’t know what kind of problem that poses, but my flute has been fine thus far. I shudder to think of mold or mildew…
Mary
60 to 80, I believe. Do open the case
everyday and leave it open for a bit to avoid mildew.
Cloth things inside the case are an
invitation.
I keep my flutes in a cigar humidor. The hygrometer that came with it I dont think was calibrated. It usualy reads between 50 and 60. I have never gotten it up to 70. So how does one know what is realy going on. My concern is that it is bone dry where I live in the winter. Is there a hygrometer that I can get that is calibrated and will give me a truer reading? These three flutes are my treasures and I dont want to be the one that causes there demise.
Tom
EEEEEWWWWW, mold…
I certainly don’t put anything wet in the case. I’ve placed my instument cases in a large plastic container (from Walmart) that seals, but is not air-tight. The plastic is transparent. I’m hoping that will help to cut down on any chance of mold. I’ve got a guitar humidifier in there that has been keeping the humidity near 60%, but no higher. I hadn’t planned to open the case daily, how important is that?
Only important if you want to play it daily, which I think is pretty important in and of itself. But, that said, it’s important to air the flute out as well; humidified cases (especially plastic) will breed mold and/or mildew, as there is no air circulation to speak of (even with holes) if it remains closed with moisture inside for too long. A wood box is better for this reason, as it breaths and can use the moisture as well (and retain it, too).
But a day or two (or week, 'so long as you’re not talking weeks on end) left inside should not be too problematic. The idea is to keep the humidity somewhat stable, so that when you do play, the humidity doesn’t rise inside the wood too quickly (a three hour session on a dry-ish flute is not a good idea), and when you don’t, the humidity doesn’t drop too far to cause too much shrinkage.
Gordon
Thanks for the insight, Gordon. Where does one get a wooden box? I’ve been looking, but most of them are made of cedar, which I’m allergic to.
I don’t play my wood instruments every day. I have a wood piccolo that hardly gets played at all any more. My wood flute is played regularly, but there are periods when I use my silver flute instead. So sometimes the wood one sits for a little while.
Michael Grinter recommends the same humidity levels that are comfortable for humans – 50% +/- 10% or so. My two boxes (one for whistles, one for flutes, both plastic and opened frequently, neither hermetically sealed) seem to keep around 60%. I keep cigar humidifiers in them during the winter, when the indoor RH gets to around 35%, even with room humidifiers.
A humidity from 50 to 80 should work just fine. The one thing you want to prevent more than anything else is exposing the flute to very low humidity or other conditions which will cause it to dry out quickly. Daily playing is also a good practice. I guess that means that practice is a good practice. :roll:
Blackbeer - Most meters can be calibrated if there is a turn screw on the back, bottom or side. Wrap the instrument in a wet cloth for about half an hour - that puts the humidity at approximately 100%. Turn the screw until the dial reads 100%. From then on it should be CLOSE to accurate.
BillG
Anything over 50% should be fine.
Check out http://www.cheaphumidors.com for … cheap humidors, instructions on how to callibrate hygrometers, that kind of jazz.
g
Thanks, Glauber.
This is too funny for words! I’ve never heard of humidifying cigars. Unfortunately, the boxes seem to be cedar lined. Cedar is one of my worst allergies. (Thank goodness I have no problems with blackwood!).
Dana
The reason they use cedar is that it naturally repells mould (and Dana!). One thing you can do is buy a humidifier and the humidifier solution, and use it in a plastic box. This is better than just putting a moist cloth in the box, because the chemical solution will “try” to keep things at 75% RH. You can buy these from that web site, or cigar stores.
Yes, cigar people are big on keeping their stogies at controlled humidity. a humidor is basically a wooden box with a chemical device to keep the humidity constant. In a good day you get 75%, but in my experience, it can range from 60 to 75%.
And sometimes a flute is just a flute.
Or maybe not.
You know, this is the sort of thing one gets the
hang of without much difficulty, really.
Learn from experience, etc.
I confess my plastic K mart trunk works
fine, as far as I can tell. I use a damp
sponge…
Thanks for all the info and the web site. I suppose I could have gone for the plastic box thing but this humidore is realy a nice piece of work and the Spanish cedar has imparted its fragrence to my flutes. I realy hadnt given much thought to humidity and such until a couple of weeks ago when my oldest bamboo flute literaly cracked in my hand after about 45 minutes of playing. It is back to its old self now thanks to 5 minute epoxy and a couple of lashings. I am now spoiling my old 8 key and Dixon rowewood and the Lehart. I wish I could fit my other bamboo flutes in there too but they are just to long. I keep forgetting how dry it is around this part of the state. I know some of you keep your bamboo flutes in plastic bags with a sponge or such. Has that been satisfactory? I know I sound parinoid and I am. I love these damn things and realy cant do without them. The oil thread has got me all confussed again but I think I`ll just stick with almound oil for now. Anyway thanks again and take care
Tom
Pete Noy’s minimum recommendation is 45%.
I believe that it was common to wrap ones cigars in cabbage leaves to humidify them .Going too far , perhaps for flutes .
Does anyone use Camellia oil for flutes .I understand it is quite thin , non drying and gives good water protection ?.
I recall camellia oil as being used for shakuhachis. I wonder how it smells.
Depending on how many flutes you have, you could anything from a pine toy chest to an empty painter’s box (made to accomodate lots of paint brushes and stuff, not the small type that has built-in shelves and stuff, which just get in the way). Just put your flute, in it’s case, inside, and throw in the guitar damp-it as well (or cigar humidifiers, or whatever). You can even devote a dresser drawer to your flutes, and the humidity – kept within limits – will be good for your dresser as well, assuming your apartment or house is dry to begin with. The BEST advice, for instruments, wood furniture, plants and humans alike, is to keep your rooms at around 50-70% humidity during the winter, in which case the flute doesn’t need any really special treatment at all.
But your plastic container, with holes or ventilation of some sort, can still work. Taking out your flute regularly for airing of both flute and the box itself will help eliminate the mildew worry, and maybe you might even end up playing it more frequently, which is really the best way to keep a flute in shape. Not to mention the player.
Gordon
I don’t imagine that cammelia oil smells too bad , if at all , as it is used as a massage oil and the base for soaps and lotions .It is recommended as a waterproofing agent for wood as a moisture repellant and is low viscosity , and not subject to resinification .I must but some , it being relatively cheap .