Help with old flute from ebay

[SPWatson]

Hi everyone.

This is my first posting although I have been following the forum for some time now.
I recently bought an old flute on ebay and was wondering whether or not it would be worth restoring, and if so where I could get this done.
I have no need to get this done quickly as I have a good flute for everyday use, I just liked the idea of owning something old. I paid £130 for the flute, but don't want to spend more than it's worth restoring it.
I will now try to post the photos I took.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwsGAY ... UozdUQ0VDA
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwsGAY ... zR6Qk1oNGc
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwsGAY ... W1YVHNVN28
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwsGAY ... HB4N2JKOE0
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwsGAY ... XFOTDQ3VjQ
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwsGAY ... FZXa3ZhM1k
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwsGAY ... lV2MElKMGM
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwsGAY ... U5EeG94OFk
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwsGAY ... 3ZZX2xlTmc
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwsGAY ... GQ1VUo1alk
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwsGAY ... kw1TV9Mb1E
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwsGAY ... jNpTUJrTFE

I Have tried to show the damage in the photos, and the fact that the B flat key is from a different flute.

Just like to say I love the whole forum, and as a beginner on the wooden flute have found it invaluable.

Simon

[MTGuru]

Hi Simon, welcome.

Those https photo links require a password to view. You need to create non-secure links that are publicly viewable. Thanks!

[SPWatson]

Thanks for letting me know.

I think I have made them public now. If not I will try to find another way of posting them.

Simon

(Yes, that worked. - Mod)

[LorenzoFlute]

Before deciding if you want to spend extra money on it, you should test it.

Remove all the keys, close the key holes with bluetack, make the stopper and the tenons airtight (you can use PTFE tape, electric tape, beeswax, cork grease, or some combination) as well as the tuning slide if needed (beeswax and cork grease), and close the cracks with electric tape. You may want to clean it a bit before blowing into the thing...

I have a similar one, nice tone but the right hand notes are much flatter than the left hand ones. I'll have to decide if I want to try correcting the tuning or just use the keys for a new flute.

[SPWatson]

Thanks Lorenzo

I've had a bit of a go on it. Put bluetack in the b flat key. It will just about play down to E as it is and I've even had a couple of fluffy D's out of it. I will try and get some ptfe tape as the tenons are very loose.

[LorenzoFlute]

Put bluetack in the b flat key

The rest of the pads are very likely to leak as well...

[Aanvil]

Hard to guess what the tuning is but it should be reasonably playable. Check for leaks around the metal ferrules and rings on the tone holes. It's got that later 19th c. Metzler look. It's English made.
I think quite it's worth getting in back in condition. I haven't looked at all the photos... Where are the cracks?

Make sure you've cleaned out any mold and make a fresh cork. A clean wine cork may just fit or sanded to fit with fine grit sand paper. Just use the measurements from that nasty old one.
Take off all the keys and wash it in warm water and a mild dish soap. You can't hurt it. Make sure you get the bore well clean. Let it air dry and lightly oil it with something like almond or JoJoba oil. It's been dry for a long time so some of the leaking might seal up after it's had a little humidity.

I've got one and its a decent player but you really have to yank out the head to get in near A440. In tune with itself it's good. I'm having a new head joint made.

You may not need it, being a beginner and perhaps playing much solo.

Nice find. Enjoy

By the way... Where in the world are you so we can suggest some professional repair?

Ah! I just saw where the cracks are. Those are simple repairs. Just use tape to seal if they actually are providing a leak source. No wax in the cracks! Makes it more work to repair later. Take care with plumbers tape or electrical tape on the tenons. Too tight and you may crack the joint. Cotton thread and beeswax is best but ptfe is certainly faster.

[SPWatson]

Thanks Aanvil.

I should have thought to put my location. I'm in Leeds, U.K.
The head cork is a bit tricky. It seems to be a solid wooden plug with a cork wrap. The medical tape seems to be sealing that end though.
As for the tuning. With the head pushed right in. it's about 1.5 inch shorter than my Francois Baubet D flute with it's head all the way in. Don't really know how that affects things.

[Nanohedron]

Thanks for letting me know.

I think I have made them public now. If not I will try to find another way of posting them.

Simon

(Yes, that worked. - Mod)

Not working for me, though. From all of the above links I get a brief flash of a picture, and then a page with a box saying:

Google Docs error

This error has been reported to Google and we'll look into it as soon as possible.

Please try one of these interim solutions:

•Reload this page.
•Download the document by right-clicking on it in the main document list and selecting "Export."

To discuss this or other issues, visit the Google Docs Help Forum. To see the list of known problems, check the Google Docs Known Issues page.

[Denny]

Not working for me, though. From all of the above links I get a brief flash of a picture, and then a page with a box

this might be like Facebook, no blood, no picture. Works fine for me. What the heck was Google+ is that their "Facebook"?

[Nanohedron]

To be honest, I don't know. I only just noticed the other day elsewhere that Google+ even exists, as a matter of fact.

[Denny]

I'm sure that someone will be along with a synopsis in a bit.

[Tonehole]

Lovely flute Simon!

It's certainly worth repairing - it won't take long just to test play it.

I'm not so good at fixing cracks since I tend to cause them, but for the thread-joints,
You might find a haberdashery shop which sells waxed linen thread: this is preferable to cotton to rebind the tenons.
Clarinet leather pads are better than flute pads for these old flutes - they offer better seals.
The cork headjoint is easy to work from a wine cork or any flute repair shop selling pre-cut sizes.
The cleaning rod of a standard Boehm flute will have a mark on the head at 18mm when inserted. This can be checked by looking through the embouchure for placement.

Enjoy repairing

[jemtheflute]

Flute definitely worth fixing. Pics visible if you have/can sign in to any kind of Google account such as G-mail. Will try to say more in a day or two. MarkP is Leeds based and has some experience of this kind of flute. I'm not too far away.

[MeMyselfandI]

What the heck was Google+ is that their "Facebook"?

I guess you could say that. I mean, it's essentially the same thing, only powered by Google.