Cracked bamboo Flute

[narrowdog]

Hi
I'm hoping you can see the crack that has developed in the end of my
Billy Miller bamboo flute which is slowly getting worse Its now at about 11/4" long.
Does anyone know the best way of repairing it, if I gently push my finger in the end
it opens up just a bit so some glue could be run into it, but its what sort to use for the best
on bamboo? Or should I be thinking of binding it in some way?
Any suggestions would greatful.

I hope someone can help

Thanks

[jim stone]

If it were me I would bind it. If you wish to put glue in the
crack itself, that may help too. I don't think it much matters
what glue you use, cause I feel the binding is what
does the work. In the past I have never tried to glue
the crack itself. Personally I wouldn't do it.

Some options. First, go around the flute at the crack and a bit farther
with clear tape, tight. Then put glue, not superglue but something
like Elmer's glue, on the tape and wind thread tight around the flute
over the tape. Tight. Then put glue on top of the tape and rub it
in a bit with your finger.

Or just use glue and thread without the tape.

I've done this a good deal and it's stopped the crack and
stabilized the flute.

All things considered, you also might ask Billy himself.

[narrowdog]

Thanks for the advice Jim,
I'm going to contact Billy Miller and see what he has to say
but what you said makes a lot of sence.
The idea of tape first makes it reversable if I need to have another go

[jim stone]

I lived in India for several years and played these flutes;
also brought several back to the states. So I've had
some experience fixing cracks. I do think this
works and is pretty standard.

You may have
a humidity problem, but you can tell
that yourself. You need to be above 50.
Or maybe the flute just cracked.

[narrowdog]

I lived in India for several years and played these flutes;
also brought several back to the states. So I've had
some experience fixing cracks. I do think this
works and is pretty standard.

You may have
a humidity problem, but you can tell
that yourself. You need to be above 50.
Or maybe the flute just cracked.

We live on a boat in the north west of England so the humidity is
probably high enough not to be a problem. I think as you say the flute has just cracked.
I have some fine hemp thread which will be more than strong enough so I'll
have a go at the repair tomorrow and post some pics.
Thanks again for the help.

[BigLeaf]

First, go around the flute at the crack and a bit farther
with clear tape, tight. Then put glue, not superglue but something
like Elmer's glue, on the tape and wind thread tight around the flute
over the tape. Tight. Then put glue on top of the tape and rub it
in a bit with your finger.

Does this type of repair work for cracked wood flutes generally?

[jim stone]

I don't know but I would think it might well work.

The barrel of a blackwood flute I have once cracked (it was a defect in
the wood). The maker couldn't receive it for a month or so. He told
me to wrap the barrel tightly in thread and glue, which I did and it
worked fine for that month. Went on playing, etc.
I would suppose compression will hold a crack shut,
thread, glue and/or tape will seal the bore, and I expect this might
well keep a crack from getting worse. But there are doubtless
more beautiful ways to go about this with an Irish flute.

Still in a pinch I would do this.

[Denny]

hose clamp is more traditional, innit?

[narrowdog]

hose clamp is more traditional, innit?

Thanks Denny why didn't I think of that

Just kidding Jim I'm on with the repair this afternoon

[Denny]

gonna screw up the balance, innit

[mahanpots]

I've had great success with wrapping tightly with thread, and if you do a nice job, the thread can actually look nice.

Here's a link to a description of wrapping technique I use:
http://www.merricktackle.com/tips/perfection2.gif

Michael

[Denny]

and if yer ever needed as a hangman!

[Doug_Tipple]

As you know, many of the best bamboo flutes come with multiple thread wraps when they are new, so there is no need to think about such a thread-wrapped repair as a cosmetic blemish but just good flute maintenance.

[Sillydill]

I myself think of the wraps as Preventive Maintenance!



Hey Michael, Thanks for the link on how to do the bunny-ear to nicely finish the wrap! I looked earlier and couldn't find a good picture of how to do this.

[narrowdog]

Hi
Just finished binding the crack in the end of my flute

Thanks to everyone who helped including Denny
You were right it did screw up the balance