I thought I'd post a few photos of my first Two-Piece Soprano D Flute. I purchased a metal lathe recently and this is the results.
The design is pretty generic but as I hadn't used a lathe in 30 years, It took me while to work out how to make it do what I wanted it to.
The image below is all the parts made individually on the lathe, before assembly.
The flute plays well and is loud and clear but I want to make a few more cosmetic adjustments before I'm 100% happy with it.
Boyd Flutes - For Soprano D Flutes, Fifes and Piccolos. Made in the UK
Tell us something.: I got interested in flutes because I already play piano and harp and am interested in instruments that aren't also furniture, and that you can get onto an airplane without getting into a fight with the gate agent.
Yes I used two different OD's of Aluminium Pipe, 19.05mm and 22mm (I think) then 12mm acetal rod for the cork, so it is straight bore as a Penny Whistle I'm sure I can have Aluminium Anodised, Im thinking of knurling the joints at the crown and body then having one anodised black to see how it turns out.
It's early days but I have some ideas to customise them.
I'll post a clip later today.
Boyd Flutes - For Soprano D Flutes, Fifes and Piccolos. Made in the UK
And now there was no doubt that the trees were really moving - moving in and out through one another as if in a complicated country dance. ('And I suppose,' thought Lucy, 'when trees dance, it must be a very, very country dance indeed.')
'...I want to warn you that playing the flute is impossible for those who have no tongue, for all notes must be led by the tongue; therefore, those of you who take pleasure in playing the flute should guard your tongue against mould, which is to say, drink often.'
- Philibert Jambe der Fer (1556)
Hi Angel, the simple answer to your questions is No.
It comes as described and it's fine in the low and middle register and with a small adjustment of the crown you can sharpen the high F# and G in the high register if you prefer to plau5 it as a fife. I am developing a Fipple head for the two piece flute and I could make a raised lip plate from black acetal plastic if you preferred but there isn't any taste from an aluminium flute not unless you French kiss it.
I may make other models in different keys in the future and definitely want to make one from Blackwood however, presently I am concentrating on the D flutes.
Regards
Stu
Boyd Flutes - For Soprano D Flutes, Fifes and Piccolos. Made in the UK
Tell us something.: I'm a fiddler and, latterly, a fluter. I love the flute. I wish I'd always played it. I love the whistle as well. I'm blessed in having really lovely instruments for all of my musical interests.
Location: Unimportant island off the great mainland of Europe
That looks really great, Stu. I can't imagine what it feels like to have actually made something like that yourself. (Apart from anything else, whenever I do try to imagine it, I get jealous. )
Good stuff.
I've just listened to the flute on your latest vid, too. Sounds great. Really nice, clear sound.
Cheers Ben, I always wanted to have a go at making a flute and have tinkered over the years but I've never really had any success in making one that was in tune and looked ok. The model above is easy enough as its straight bore like a fife and it helps having a lathe, but I want a different challenge so I am looking into making a flute bore measuring gauge and eventually my own reamers, then I'll be able to copy the internal dimensions of flutes that I like the sound of.
I've just made a body from Delrin and swapping the whistle heads and flute heads onto it is interesting as it does sound so different than the aluminium body. I am expecting a delivery of African Blackwood, Mopane and Boxwood over the next few days and I'm looking forward to experimenting with the different woods.
If Anyone is interested I will post an update. This is the Delrin Body with the Aluminium Whistle Head.
Boyd Flutes - For Soprano D Flutes, Fifes and Piccolos. Made in the UK
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