Restoring the Blackwood Flute

Finding Materials

1.The first repair is to replace the tenon cork. It's a little difficult to measure because the original has deteriorated. Seems to be 1/32" plus , I think 3/64" would be a safe bet as it can be sanded to fit. There are a few choices on the web. I'll stick with natural cork rather than a hybrid composite.
2. What adhesive?  The most popular seems to be contact cement. there is also Micro  pad and cork cement, or stick shellac,the last being the most difficult to use. I wanted something non-toxic and ordered "The Ultimate" glue,a water based alternative, I'm not sure anyone has used it for this purpose, but I can't see why it would not work fine..

Restoring the Blackwood Flute

The Arrival

Buying a flute at an online action can be a rewarding  or disappointing  experience. This one was in the first category. A well described item  packaged  for survival and within budget.

High pitched D :  After reading Terry Magee’s article on the subject  I feel this one may play in 440.

Antique : Inscribed 1888

Material: Blackwood, 8 silver keys

I expected with a flute this age I would find a crack or two, especially around the slide where they all split.

Nothing ,not even a hairline crack. How did it survive 123 years without splitting? Was it just not played and stored at perfect humidity? Seems unlikely. If played often, it was well taken care of it would seem . Or Maybe a perfect piece of Blackwood, strong not brittle, and well seasoned.

Repairs to begin:  Oiling, re-corking tenons, reviving the head cork, check pads and mechanisms

Repairing the antique blackwood flute

What to look for? Coming from a place with little knowledge of the wooden flute and even less  playing the instrument.makes finding a playable flute an interesting task. Will it play in 440? If it doesn't I may be playing alone. Do I really need all those keys for Irish music? Will it play in tune? Is it suitable for session playing?

Occasionally one will become available at auction in the hundred dollar price range. If you like the challenge of reviving something surely headed for the bin this restoration could suite you well. Some of the older flutes are beautiful and are worth restoring simply as a piece of art.

1.    I think I can narrow the field to a D hp  (high pitched) with tuning slide,

       I should be able to pull out to get 440 .Hopefully it will play in tune with itself

2.   Not too many cracks , I'm sure there will be a few ,probably around the slide.

3.   Blackwood would be nice

That's a start ,we'll see what presents itself.

Repairing the antique blackwood flute

Did you find a one hundred year old wreck online? There is hope