Loose tuning slide,any tips??

biscuit · Post by **biscuit** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 1:25 pm

I have 2 wooden whistles,both tuning slides are very loose with no hold at all.Apart from returning the whistles to the makers does anyone know of a home remedy?Any help would be great,
Cheers,Paul

Wilsing · Post by **Wilsing** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 1:31 pm

Try a bit of teflon tape, available at a hardware store or home center.

-James

A Stor Mo Chroi

fearfaoin · Post by **fearfaoin** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 1:33 pm

This has been covered previously. I use Teflon tape, but I've also
heard of slightly expanding the male end of the slide with the conical
end of a jewler's hammer. I'd talk to the maker before doing anything
that could be permanent, but Teflon tape is a good quick fix.
More discussion here (or do a search for more):

http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=23391

bjs · Post by **bjs** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 1:39 pm

rub on a little bees wax

biscuit · Post by **biscuit** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 1:40 pm

Thanks guys,
Teflon tape or beeswax it is.
Godbless,Paul

fearfaoin · Post by **fearfaoin** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 1:47 pm

Note, the first time I tried to use Teflon tape on my Busman, I wrapped
it around the male end, and it didn't work, it just bunched up when I
put the whistle together. So instead I just ran a small strip of the tape
down the lenth of the male end, leaving a little end hanging off the
edge, and held the tape on while putting the whistle together (Teflon
tape is not sticky). Once together, the pressure made the Teflon tape
stick to the male end of the slide, and I could remove the bit hanging
off the edge. I have to reapply the tape every 5 months or so as the
old piece wears off.

King Friday · Post by **King Friday** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:42 pm

Ralph and Walt Sweet sure had a great idea putting the cork within the female side on the tuning joint. It works flawlessly.

crookedtune · Post by **crookedtune** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:49 pm

It does at that. I just wonder if it's not harder to replace when needed?

Wanderer · Post by **Wanderer** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:05 pm

King Friday wrote:Ralph and Walt Sweet sure had a great idea putting the cork within the female side on the tuning joint. It works flawlessly.

I've thought of experimenting with that...I really like the way that works, too.

The problem with cork, as I've learned with my Rose flute, is that you have to take greater care taking the thing apart..you can't just yank it apart. Like my co-worker did when I showed him the Rose..sigh

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:58 pm

My Abell had a very loose slide. Returned it and it was
back to me in a flash. Turned it around in a day.

brewerpaul · Post by **brewerpaul** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 6:30 am

fearfaoin wrote:This has been covered previously. I use Teflon tape, but I've also
heard of slightly expanding the male end of the slide with the conical
end of a jewler's hammer. I'd talk to the maker before doing anything
that could be permanent, but Teflon tape is a good quick fix.

Yeah, what he said!
If the whistle is one of mine, please contact me via e-mail. Glad to answer questions even if they're not mine.

Loren · Post by **Loren** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 8:44 am

King Friday wrote:Ralph and Walt Sweet sure had a great idea putting the cork within the female side on the tuning joint. It works flawlessly.

Old woodwind trick - I've seen This on old recorders and some other instruments that escape my memory at the moment.

Loren

Loren · Post by **Loren** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 8:45 am

crookedtune wrote:It does at that. I just wonder if it's not harder to replace when needed?

Yes, in my experience, it is more of a pain to recork sockets as opposed to tenons. But then, with proper care, it shouldn't need to be done often anyway.

Loren

Loren · Post by **Loren** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 8:48 am

Technically speaking, loose metal tuning slides are properly tightened in the shop by slightly expanding the inner portion of the slide, in case anyone was curious how repair shops and makers with the proper equipment do it.

Loren

greenspiderweb · Post by **greenspiderweb** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 9:47 am

Paul,

If this problem started recently, it may be that your whistles need humidity. When your heating is on, it will dry the air in your home, making wood dry, and sometimes this may make joints fit differently. Wood will contract in dryer weather, so the male end or female end may change in size due to this, and affect the fit.

Put the whistles in an enclosed area, with a wet sponge nearby (on a plate, or other container) and see if it helps. If it does, get a humidity guage and try to keep it at a constant humidity year round. You can read more about this on Chiff doing a search.

PS If your wooden whistles have metal slides, then lack of humidity isn't the problem, but it's still a good idea for the whistle to be humidified properly.
Hope it helps!

Chiff and Fipple Forums

Loose tuning slide,any tips??

Loose tuning slide,any tips??

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Loose slides.