Sigh. I decided to tweak my 24-year-old Oak D last week following the directions on C&F. No problem until I tried to replace the fipple. It now has a 1/2" long crack running up from the base. Sob. I loved that whistle. It’s lived a gentle life, having been in storage most of its life, so I don’t think long term stresses caused the plastic to fail.
Later that day I ordered a new Oak (and a Clare D. Why waste postage on only ONE new whistle?). I want to tweak the Oak because it has a buzz. What do I do when replacing the fipple so that I don’t crack it again?
First, unless you already have, DO NOT discard your beloved old friend. TIGHTLY wrapped vinyl (electrical) tape may still save it’s ability, if not it’s appearance. I’ve done it, on a beloved PVC whistle, and it works.
As for removing the new fipple and putting it back without cracking it:
1: Use heat (hot but not boiling water) to remove it.
2: Chill the tube with ice before putting it back. The ice will cause the metal to contract slightly and ease the fit. Or, you can lubricate it with water or a VERY sparing application of oil.
Some plastics just become more brittle with age, so it may be that 24 years was old plastic. Long exposure to sunlight also tends to break down certain types.
There’s probably someone on the board with a detailed knowledge of plastics & polymers who could tell you more.
I’m just guessing from O-level chemistry, but I think the type of plastic used in Generation fipples is more brittle than the type in the Mk3 Feadog Fipples.
I had an old OAK and it was impossible to move the mouthpiece (but I keep trying) and my too finally cracked. I replaced it with a Walton Little Black mouthpiece from The Whistle Shop and it sounds great now. The newer OAKs mouthpieces are easier to move.
I cracked the base of a fipple of a Generation Bb when doing a tweek. I was able to repair it by prying the crack open slightly, and putting a small dot of Super Glue in the crack. I let the glue dry thoroughly, then carefully slid it back on the tube. It has held for the past since months with no problem. This may or may not work on your Oak. Some brands of Super Glue will hold on particular types of plastic, but not on other types of plastic. Check the labels on different brands of Super Glue at your hardware store. Some indicate they do not hold well on plastic, and others say they hold on most types of plastic. I hope you can fix it
Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions. We’re going to try super glue and electrical tape on the old fipple. I also got a Little Black fipple from the Whistle Shop when I ordered the new whistles. If the repair doesn’t work, I’ll get out the teflon tape to tighten the connection between the new fipple and the old tube, because it is loose. I hope the repair works, though.
When I tweak the new Oak I’ll ice the tube before replacing the fipple. Might try a drop of sewing machine oil, too.
Try “Future Glue”. It’s a new kind of super glue that goes on with a brush so that you can pinpoint the application and it seems to hold to anything - even glass. (You could probably glue back to together a dropped pyrex flute with this stuff - if you find all the pieces without getting cut)
