Flute Head Cork Replacement

Inleiding

When flutes age, or are taken back and forth between places with different temperatures and humidities, the head joint cork can become shrunken and loose, which will not provide an adequate seal on the instrument. If the cork does become loose, a new one needs to be properly attached to the crown and screw device and pushed into the head joint of the flute. Without this cork, the instrument is not able to be played.

Wat je nodig hebt

Stap 1 Head Cork

Flute Head Cork Replacement, Head Cork: stap 1, afbeelding 1 van 3

Flute Head Cork Replacement, Head Cork: stap 1, afbeelding 2 van 3

Flute Head Cork Replacement, Head Cork: stap 1, afbeelding 3 van 3

Unscrew the Flute Crown.
Use pliers to grip the protruding screw and pull out the old cork.

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Stap 2

Flute Head Cork Replacement: stap 2, afbeelding 3 van 3

Use a razor blade to cut the glue around the base of the screw set up.
Use a razor blade to cut the glue around the removable washer at the top of the cork.
Use a razor blade to make two lengthwise cuts on opposite sides of the cork.
Break the cork off of the screw.

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Stap 3

Flute Head Cork Replacement: stap 3, afbeelding 3 van 3

Use a small paintbrush to brush on a layer of contact cement onto the bottom of the new cork and the bottom of the screw set up.
Let contact cement sit for a few minutes and then slide the cork down onto the screw rod glue side first.

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Stap 4

Flute Head Cork Replacement: stap 4, afbeelding 3 van 3

Use a small paintbrush to paint a layer of polyurethane glue onto the top of the cork.
Do not use contact cement for this step because it will bind on contact and the washer needs to be screwed on.
Screw the washer onto the screw rod.
Wait for all the glues to dry.

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Stap 5

Flute Head Cork Replacement: stap 5, afbeelding 3 van 3

Drop the new cork and screw set up screw first into the bottom of the head joint. If the cork is the correct diameter you should be able to see it partially through the embouchure hole.
Flute head joints have a tapered diameter that is smaller at the top. This will not work if the cork is put into the top of the head joint.
Use the flute tuning rod to push the cork into the head joint until the tuning line at the bottom of the rod is in the middle of the embouchure hole.
If the cork is difficult to push down, paraffin wax can be rubbed onto the cork to help lubricate it.