small cracks on wooden flute

Irish Flute
1

i’ve started trying again to learn to play my doyle wooden flute over the last month - today i noticed 2 small cracks on the thin bit of the flute underneath the corked area that the top of the flute goes onto - i’m not sure what to do - i’m hoping this kind of damage might be fixed by some sort of strong solvent although i don’t know if that’s how they fix such issues - are flute repairs expensive? (assuming in my case that i’m right and the damage is not bigger than i’ve indicated)

2

Are you sure you aren’t seeing the grain of the wood? What sort of wood is it? Where are you located? I would not use any solvent. Do be sure you are adequately humidifying the wood, and I would oil the wood with olive oil. Does it take a lot of effort to get the flute together? Is the flute stuck together firmly when you try to disassemble it? Anyhow if there are cracks they are fixable, if not by yourself, by a maker. This is why I ask where you are located.

3

Good closeup photos would be very helpful, if you can do that.

4

Don’t oil it until you verify that these aren’t cracks. If you oil a crack, the oil will wick into it making it difficult or impossible to glue it together.

5

Cracks are common and very fixable. Most areas have good clarinet / oboe / bassoon repair people who are very skilled at fixing cracks in wooden instruments. There may be a flute repair person who works on wooden flutes. Anyways, don’t worry; most likely not a big deal.

6

thanks for the responses - i don’t think it’s the grain of the wood - the flute is made from black wood - the head slides fairly comfortably on except when the cork is dry - i’m based in berkshire in the uk

7

Pictures would help. I think it’s more common for sockets to crack (open) from a tight fit, than for the tenon to split.

Mostly what I could find on Google appear to be sockets, but see if you have something similar on the end or interior of your flute:

All cracks are fixable, but the technique and amount of effort required vary according to the severity and location. You also have to address the problem that caused it, whether from a tight fit, humidity, or other stresses.