What are your preferences regarding cork versus thread wrapped tenon joints?
I like cork for aesthetic reasons. Cork is easier for me to replace. Cork doesn’t allow a way to compensate for expansion and contraction of the wood flute joint due to temperature and humidity changes. You can remove some cork if the joint is too tight, but you can’t add to it when the joint chooses to contract.
I find that strands of top thread move out of place due to assembly and dissassemby of flute sections. This doesn’t affect the sealing of the joint, only the appearance of the tenon when it’s not assembled. I find thread tedious to replace entirerly. However, if a joint gets too tight, unwrap a few turns of the thread. If a joint is too loose, add a few turns of thread.
Bill
[ This Message was edited by: SuiZen on 2003-01-26 06:49 ]
like you I prefered cork, but having recently rewrapped a thread tenon, I think I’m sold on thread. I used thin polyester thread (dark red) and it took several layers, but the end result looks better than cork and as you say you can adjust the depth according to conditions.
To prevent loose ends I found two things helped. First was liberal application of red ski wax. Not only does it retain its thick consistency but helps waterproof the end grain. Second, when assembling or disassembling the tenon I use a twisting motion in the direction of the wrap. Loose strands hardly ever appear and they can be smoothed back because of the wax.
It’s been a while since I tried the thread wrap. I was frustrated at the time by first not being able to find red ski wax, and second by not having a suitable way to hold and turn the joint of the flute.
I’m not a skier, but there is a local ski shop that I should try. I now have a lathe, so I might be better equipped to mount and turn the joint.
Thanks for your input.
Bill
[ This Message was edited by: SuiZen on 2003-01-26 11:41 ]
I’ve had success using blue nordic ski wax instead of red wax. I assume the red wax recommended by some makers is the type used for alpine skis, not the goopy, globby red cross-country ski wax used for grip in warm, wet snow conditions. I’d avoid this unless you enjoy a klister-like wax gumming up
your tenons and acting like string cheese when sections are pulled apart.
-Red nordic ski wax is soft and sticky at room temperature, and blue and green are harder and less sticky at room temperature.
Brian O.
[ This Message was edited by: brianormond on 2003-01-26 19:34 ]
Brian,
could you confirm if the Blue Nordic Wax you’re refering to is “Swix Blue Extra 0oC/-7oC”, I checked my red wax and found that it was very sticky Klister, I did’nt use it but the Blue Extra looked like a possibility.
Oh, is there red wax for alpine skis? I’ve been using the nordic red (Swix). It sure is gooey! It’s not klister though. Can you still get klister? It came in tubes like tar-baby toothpaste.
Do you wax for kick or for glide?
I’m considering re-threading my flute. That’ll be a new experience for me. Are people using sewing-weight thread or something heavier? There’s a kite store nearby. I was thinking their lightest weight dacron string might be a good starting point. At least for the inner layers. Any thoughts?
Rosenlof,
The wax I was referring to was Kick Wax. I’ve no idea about Alpine wax but I’d assume it was for glide. The Klister I mentioned was the Crayon type not the toothpaste tube type. I’ve just tried the Blue Extra on a thread wrapped tenon but I don’t like the result, it’s sort of tacky/sticky, I’ll probably just use candle wax or cork grease in future.
Regarding thread, I’m sure I read somewhere to use nylon as it would’nt absorb moisture. I used sewing thread but I don’t know what type, I just used the first one that came to hand.
Wow, Ski thread, alpine wax, you guys are using some high tech equipment. I use good old hemp boot thread from Hardies of Edinburgh and a lump of beeswax from my local hardware shop.
As I often do, I’ll draw from my experiences as a Highland piper. Thread joints are, in the long run, better though flute joints don’t undergo near as much stress as GHB joints which is why we almost exclusively use hemped joints. Because our reeds get constant exposure to moisture there are frequent changes in tone so we have to adjust drones often to stay in tune. you need a firm yet manageable joint for that. Over time the preferred thread has become the boot hemp Ken mentioned. It’s linen thread, usually yellow, and good old-fashioned beeswax is the best wax to use. I just re-hemped a drone today and what I did was take unwaxed hemp, waxed part of it with black cobblers wax to get it good and sticky. I wrapped the tenon and then waxed the rest of the hemp with beeswax. That’s sure to provide a solid joint that should last a few years with only minor adding/removing of hemp.
Some makers of plastic pipes have experimented with o-ring joints but that kind of thing is only good for plastic. I haven’t seen any of the plastic flutes with them, maybe it would be something to look into.
Cheers,
Aaron
Mac-The wax I’ve been using is regular Swix Blue, for -3C-8C/ or 27-18 degrees F. Its an old formulation, probably doesn’t cover as wide a temperature range as the “Extra”. The extra is likely just as good for tenon threads, but maybe the pipers with their beeswax & thread have the best advice.
Brian O.
[ This Message was edited by: brianormond on 2003-01-30 00:03 ]
My personal preference is cork on the joints, but there is nothing wrong with wrapped tenon. If it’s done right it works quite well.
My instruments with wrapped tenon: Seery flute, Sweet fife, Sweet whistles. My Baroque flute came with wrapped tenon which I replaced with cork when I was in college. Also a taber pipe.
My instruments with cork include my new Hammy, my antique 8-key (though it originally had wrapped tenon and the thread had rotted away), and my good wooden recorders.
I started this post about cork and thread tenon wraps. Although I really like and prefer cork, I decided that thread has advantages and I’d order a new flute with thread wrapped tenons.
I just got a one year old LeHart flute (not the new one I ordered from another maker) in the mail today. The tenons were an unexpected surprise. Each tenon has cork, and thread wrapped on each side of the cork. The best of all possible tenon wraps .
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