How wise is it to leave a flute fully assembled.

[fatmac]

I intend to concentrate more on flute next year, so I'm wondering just how wise is it to leave a delrin type of flute with cork tenons fully assembled - permanently, monthly, weekly, daily?

[Gcobean]

I have a delrin flute and have had that bad boy assembled and out for over a year and a half now. I play it almost daily. No issues whatsoever for me. I dont think it would hurt to do at least a monthly check on cork tenons since that's quick and easy.

[dyersituations]

Delrin should be fine when kept assembled. The one warning I'd give is that over time the cork will likely compress and need to be replaced if you keep it assembled. For a few years I played a Chieftain whistle with cork, and about 2 years in the cork was completely useless, and I had to use packing tape to keep the seal. I personally would leave a delrin flute assembled during the day but disassemble it at the end of the day.

[pixyy]

For a delrin flute it should not make a difference.
I leave mine assembled all the time except when I bring it or occasionally give it a clean/grease the cork.
For me that's the whole beauty of having a flute in that material.

[busterbill]

Delrin will be fine, though the corks may compress a bit.

Does anyone know if the cork might mold in humid conditions?

I have one of the original M&Es that have delrin to delrin joints, no cork. I keep this together all the time.

Just don't try this if you get a wooden flute.

[Yogifluter]

A flutemaker told me once not to leave my (wood) flute assembled, as this compresses the cork over time and the seal deteriorates.

Tim

[fatmac]

Thanks for your thoughts, it is pretty much as I thought, if left assembled for too long the cork will compress & not recover - so I'll continue to separate it daily.

[Yogifluter]

Yes, I wouldn't keep it assembled. This can be a pain if you have couple spare minutes and want to play. I finally bought an ebonite flute (without cork tenons), partly for travel, mainly to keep assembled at my desk so I can pick it up and play whenever I want.

Tim