Does anyone have any advice on how to fix a sticking key? The C key on my 6-key John Gallagher Rudall is staying open when I press the key. I’ve never had any trouble with any of the keys for nearly 10 years…
Thanks for any tips, Jeanie
Often simply cleaning the key will do the trick. You need to remove the key (I assume you know how to do that) and then just give it a good cleaning with a cloth or even your fingernail to scrape off any deposits that may have built up on the key. Put it back on and see if that fixes it; 8 times out of 10 that’s all that’s needed. If it’s still sticking, it may be that the blocks have warped a bit (assuming you have a block-mounted flute) and you might have to remove a tiny bit of wood inside by running very fine sandpaper inside the slot. But I’d view that as a last resort, because if you remove too much wood the key will be wiggly and you definitely don’t want that.
I had a few keys sticking open and only slowly closing on my Prowse. Jon Cornia told me to make sure it was stored in a humid environment and try it out again. I did (70% humidity) and it it fixed it. Worth a shot if the cleaning doesn’t work (before removing wood).
I’m not sure how to remove the key. I’ve removed the E-flat key on my baroque flute–it has a little hook at the end of the metal piece that holds the key, so I was able to pull that to remove the key. But this block-mounted key just has a tiny little piece of metal sticking out both ends of the block…Any tips on that?
I’ll try the humidifying trick, too. (Though I did have a humidifying device in the plastic box where I keep the flute/case.)
Use a small paper clip to push it out a little and then grab it with some needle-nose pliers. I have a John Gallagher, too, and I remove the keys every year or so and clean out the blocks using a toothpick. I wouldn’t use anything but wood against the wood, personally. This has always cleared up any stickiness for me.
Pat
Having pulled the key off and cleaned any gunk on key, spring, slot and the metal plate the tip of the spring bears upon, put a touch of cork grease or other lubricant on the tip of the spring before reassembling. The tip of the spring slides a little as the key is released, and friction here can slow its return. (This assumes the traditional flat spring approach has been used.)
Thanks, all! I was able to jiggle the little pin–never could get it to come all the way out. But, that seemed to do the trick. The C key is now working fine. I hope it continues!