I’m refurbishing an old flute I got from our favorite auction site. I think I did well, actually! I’m almost done, but need to replace the pads… Any suggestions? I tried leather, but it doesn’t seal well enough and Terry McGee suggested clarinet pads, but I’d have to buy a whole set locally.
Pat
I would try Ferree’s http://www.ferreestools.com . Their web site is not particularly easy to navigate, but you can find a description of their various pads at http://www.ferreestools.com/pad_specs.htm .
Dave Copley
Loveland Ohio
Dave:
Thanks - now I don’t know which to get! Natural, synthetic, double skin, single skin, “true” double skin!!! All I want to do is cover some little holes - didn’t know it would get so confusing!
Pat
Pat, these (see link below) are what I use/the ones you want - “premium deluxe (brown) leather”. Apparently one used to be able to get white leather equivalents, but they don’t seem to be available any more, at least not this side of the pond. These are made in Italy, I was told when I enquired about the possibilities of ready made thinner ones (these are 3mm thick - OK in many flutes, but too thick in some key-cups, and you have to adapt them). They come in 0.5mm diameter gradations and can be bought singly, but you need to allow for screw-ups, especially if you do have to thin any, and also it is difficult to be sure of sizes. Measure the diameters of your key cups, but to be safe and avoid a re-order and delay, buy the size one step below what you measure as well as the size you think you want. You should be able to get some shellac too for fixing them in. N.B. it is no use looking in Flute pads - you must look in the Clarinet section.
This is a link to a GB supplier - so you can at least see what I mean, but by all accounts Ferree’s should have the same or similar. Don’t use “skin” pads.
I hope that helps.
Hey Pat,
I just bumped the thread FOAM FOR PADS?
If you want an assortment of foam disks to try, just pick a flavor (color) and send me your address.