I did BI repair in the late 70's and early 80's, and a lot has changed since the old "lever - thumb pressure - cassette tape on a stick check" technique... Great channel, love seeing you work.
When I was in the Marines working on helicopter structures I always stressed finesse when I would teach the new guys metal work, great video and some cool tools!
I’ve taught my students that art comes in many forms. The story I share is about a 68 year old brick layer. Watching him was like watching poetry. You sir are an artist.
Someone suggested to color the tone hole rim with a Sharpie pen. The circular file will remove most of it right away, leaving just the dips with color. The dips start to disappear as the rim gets more level. It’s an ongoing indicator, saving a little time until you need to check with the level tool. I appreciate your work, Wes, and the quality of the videos. When I worked on my student’s flutes, I checked each tone hole for evenness, especially the trill key holes. I am learning a ton from the clarinet videos. Thanks and Best.
Using a Dremel tool with a cutting wheel, I've adapted the E11 flute pad cup tools to accept the cups with pointed cup arms. I just cut a V notch long enough and deep enough. Cut right through the existing cork disk into the metal. Now, the tool works for both types of pad cups!
Seu canal é muito interessante e gosto muito... Suas técnicas de trabalho são fantásticas e pretendo usá-las em minha pequena oficina de manutenção de instrumentos de sopro... Parabéns e obrigado por disponibilizar o seu tempo para nos apresentar essas técnicas.
Hey Wes, thanks for demonstrating the pad cup levelers. I'm going to get me a set. It will beat using a little flat piece of wood to put under the high side of the key and pressing down on the other side, or spending a lot of time putting in just the right size shim to level the pad.
Great information provided here! I had no idea how to fix a flute. I have a Trevor James Cantabile that I have some difficulties with second E and high F. I'll check it with a led light as you did here. I also have a Gemeinhardt 3M that after 30 years sounds terrible. Needs major overhaul. Thank you very much.
Generally a leak on a flute will stop most notes lower from working - if low C works fine, it’s something else, always worth checking your head joint cork too. I’ve had lots of problems with the back feet bending for no apparent reason on the Cantabiles. You can use a strip cut from cigarette paper as a feeler gauge- but check all around each pad.
When dressing guitar frets we mark the top with a colour marker pen. It reveals when it's perfectly level when all the marker's gone. I was wondering if that would be good when levelling those tops too. Just a thought, really liking your videos by the way. Keep well, Steve from Spain.
Hey Wes! Where are you located at? I work in the northwest part of Florida at a music store in fort Walton beach Florida and was talking to my mentor Mark Vandermark. He been in the field for 35 years or so and I’ve been training under him for 7 years now. Love and appreciate your videos sir.
@@wesleemusicrepair9820 oh really you know him? Yeah I thought you might he worked for the dex and the Johnsons at Mississippi music and Lsu. That’s awesome! I will tell him you said hello.
Depends on the amount of wear in the mechanism and what instrument it is. Something like a Yamaha flute which just requires a repad and new felts can play good as new at half the cost of a new one.
Very interesting Wes! Takes a special skill set to maintain the patience and focus to work this way. Thanks for the insights. I am wondering about the pilot material. It looked to be aluminum. Is that soft enough to not scar the inside of the hole? Would something like Delrin or Valox work better? Or maybe something really hard that would stay very polished?
I have not noticed any issue with polished aluminum, but I use extreme caution as to where the tool is at all times. I may turn a pilot out if delrin or abs and see how that feels.
Wes I enjoy watching your videos. Flutes have always been very challenging for me. Do you ever use a feeler gage to check if the pad is coming down evenly?Or do you just use a leak light? Sometimes a tone hole is level but using a feeler gage( I use cigarette paper) I can feel that the pad is coming down nicely in one spot but not at all in another area.So i try shimming, Do you ever use the paper shims? I Would really like to see more on flute padding. Thanks Ruben
I use light, feeler gauges of different varieties, tonehole leveling, pad cup leveling, shimming, etc. The instrument has to play with greatest of ease, and however I can get the best results quickest is what I do.
Greetings from Brazil!!! Where did you start to study instruments repair? Is there a specific course in US for woodwind instruments? I swear is my last question 😀 where do you buy your tools?
I do the same leveling job but I ask myself, why is the flute sold with serious faults like this on it? To say that it's only a cheap flute is a terrible excuse, cheap flutes are usually sold to beginers who need all the help they can get - bad, bad!
I've watched a few of Wes's videos, and whether it's woodwinds or brass he always does a spectacular job. Un-level toneholes are a result of poor manufacturing, not because of user damage. I did notice a made in China label on this flute, just saying...
Let alone making videos like this why won't most instrument repair shops allow you to fix your own instruments like giving you parts and things of that nature I had two repair shops that would do that one though would even buy parts from other places and some other places don't do it at all why is that I don't expect you to know everybody else's business just curious and the opportunity for asking things to be knocking good video by the way
Not enough profit it in it for most parts, they might get a small discount from the supplier but by the time you add mail charges they’ll make no profit.
@@bordersw1239 that is why you buy them bulk to compensate don't pass the complications on to the customer especially when you can keep pretty much every party in a mug hypothetically speaking I wouldn't suggest anybody do that LOL
@@bordersw1239 the parts for the instruments I thought that's what we were talking about I have mentioned why don't they sell subcomponents for instruments for the customer directly instead of having them sent somewhere and waiting 3 Days to 3 weeks to get it back you can just go to the shop and purchase the parts yourself and repair the instrument yourself and save a few bucks and the shot can make an extra few bucks it wouldn't be everybody so no one will be stepping on anyone's toes financially speaking
@@toolguyslayer1 . Which instrument, which parts, what year was it made etc. If I want to sell flute pads, I’ll need every size from 10mm to 17.5mm in half mm sizes, each size comes in about 14 different varieties so 16x14, I’ll need to buy 100 of each size to get a bulk discount at say £2 per pad that comes to approx £44k of stock just of flute pads. Then try sax pads - much more expensive and greater variety of sizes. Or I could just sit at my bench and actually fix instruments and buy the precise pads I need from the major stockists - when I actually need them.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
I did BI repair in the late 70's and early 80's, and a lot has changed since the old "lever - thumb pressure - cassette tape on a stick check" technique... Great channel, love seeing you work.
Getting the close ups on this flute was key to the instruction, no pun intended. Great job on that.
When I was in the Marines working on helicopter structures I always stressed finesse when I would teach the new guys metal work, great video and some cool tools!
I’ve taught my students that art comes in many forms. The story I share is about a 68 year old brick layer. Watching him was like watching poetry. You sir are an artist.
I love any content that stresses brain over brawn when it makes sense. This video is definitely a fine example of that.. well done sir :)
Your channel is seriously a treasure trove. Love your content man, hope you always keep this up
How my flute fo service from the phillipines?
Someone suggested to color the tone hole rim with a Sharpie pen. The circular file will remove most of it right away, leaving just the dips with color. The dips start to disappear as the rim gets more level. It’s an ongoing indicator, saving a little time until you need to check with the level tool.
I appreciate your work, Wes, and the quality of the videos. When I worked on my student’s flutes, I checked each tone hole for evenness, especially the trill key holes.
I am learning a ton from the clarinet videos. Thanks and Best.
Same principle in leveling frets on fretted string instruments. Works well.
I much admire your patience and attention to detail. Great video!
Wes, I'm really loving your posts. Thanks for sharing.
Great videos you have been making! Thank you so much for taking the time, finesse, the editing, and sharing!
Cool tools are a necessity for a premier final product. Great work Wes! Thanks for the investment of your time and talent!
Hey Wes, again appreciate the helpful practical advice. Thanks for sharing your expertise.
They look for you because you are so good.
Amazing informations..... many thanks for sharing your experiments with details
Using a Dremel tool with a cutting wheel, I've adapted the E11 flute pad cup tools to accept the cups with pointed cup arms. I just cut a V notch long enough and deep enough. Cut right through the existing cork disk into the metal. Now, the tool works for both types of pad cups!
Wow. Fitness is the right word. Thanks.
Finesse, not fitness ;-)
Can you over the process of chemical flush and polish the body and keys? What does that entail? [great job on the video]
Seu canal é muito interessante e gosto muito...
Suas técnicas de trabalho são fantásticas e pretendo usá-las em minha pequena oficina de manutenção de instrumentos de sopro...
Parabéns e obrigado por disponibilizar o seu tempo para nos apresentar essas técnicas.
Gotta love those school kids to keep us busy.🤓
You know it! Hope your doing well!
Hey Wes, thanks for demonstrating the pad cup levelers. I'm going to get me a set. It will beat using a little flat piece of wood to put under the high side of the key and pressing down on the other side, or spending a lot of time putting in just the right size shim to level the pad.
see my post on Feb. 9, 2022 perhaps you'd be interested in this adaptation.
Man I love your work. If I lived by you I’d come in and work for you for free just to hang, chat, and learn.
Great information provided here! I had no idea how to fix a flute. I have a Trevor James Cantabile that I have some difficulties with second E and high F. I'll check it with a led light as you did here. I also have a Gemeinhardt 3M that after 30 years sounds terrible. Needs major overhaul. Thank you very much.
Generally a leak on a flute will stop most notes lower from working - if low C works fine, it’s something else, always worth checking your head joint cork too. I’ve had lots of problems with the back feet bending for no apparent reason on the Cantabiles. You can use a strip cut from cigarette paper as a feeler gauge- but check all around each pad.
I have a Gemeinardt that needs overhaul as well. Have had it for 31 years
Wes, could you do a video of your mobile setup? Maybe at one of the band camps that you work?
I will be soon
When dressing guitar frets we mark the top with a colour marker pen. It reveals when it's perfectly level when all the marker's gone. I was wondering if that would be good when levelling those tops too. Just a thought, really liking your videos by the way. Keep well, Steve from Spain.
What about putting pad slick under one side of the pad and pressing the other side to bend the cup?
Hey Wes! Where are you located at? I work in the northwest part of Florida at a music store in fort Walton beach Florida and was talking to my mentor Mark Vandermark. He been in the field for 35 years or so and I’ve been training under him for 7 years now. Love and appreciate your videos sir.
I’m in Petal, Ms.
Tell Mark I said hello. Great guy and tech! Was talking about him just the other day.
Thanks for following along.
@@wesleemusicrepair9820 oh really you know him? Yeah I thought you might he worked for the dex and the Johnsons at Mississippi music and Lsu. That’s awesome! I will tell him you said hello.
Just curious, is an old student flute worth repairing, at least more than sentimental value?
Depends on the amount of wear in the mechanism and what instrument it is. Something like a Yamaha flute which just requires a repad and new felts can play good as new at half the cost of a new one.
I have a flute in need of restoration. What might the charges be for your services?
Very interesting Wes! Takes a special skill set to maintain the patience and focus to work this way. Thanks for the insights. I am wondering about the pilot material. It looked to be aluminum. Is that soft enough to not scar the inside of the hole? Would something like Delrin or Valox work better? Or maybe something really hard that would stay very polished?
I have not noticed any issue with polished aluminum, but I use extreme caution as to where the tool is at all times. I may turn a pilot out if delrin or abs and see how that feels.
Hi Wes, what could be the reason for the Fsharp key to get stuck down?
Wes
I enjoy watching your videos. Flutes have always been very challenging for me. Do you ever use a feeler gage to check if the pad is coming down evenly?Or do you just use a leak light? Sometimes a tone hole is level but using a feeler gage( I use cigarette paper) I can feel that the pad is coming down nicely in one spot but not at all in another area.So i try shimming, Do you ever use the paper shims? I Would really like to see more on flute padding.
Thanks Ruben
I use light, feeler gauges of different varieties, tonehole leveling, pad cup leveling, shimming, etc. The instrument has to play with greatest of ease, and however I can get the best results quickest is what I do.
👍👏🏻👏🏻
With the correct tool it makes the job easier to do.
Out of curiosity, what are some of the wildest and/or weirdest repairs or even instrument damage stories you've come across in your career?
That would be a video all to itself! Ha
May have to do that some time.
Greetings from Brazil!!! Where did you start to study instruments repair? Is there a specific course in US for woodwind instruments? I swear is my last question 😀 where do you buy your tools?
Hi Wes! Love your videos! Do these pad cup levelers work for front-back adjustments? Or are they really only suited for side-side?
Thanks for following along.
Yes, you can get movement in all directions with that tool
honest question is a flute a horn
I do the same leveling job but I ask myself, why is the flute sold with serious faults like this on it?
To say that it's only a cheap flute is a terrible excuse, cheap flutes are usually sold to beginers who need all the help they can get - bad, bad!
I've watched a few of Wes's videos, and whether it's woodwinds or brass he always does a spectacular job. Un-level toneholes are a result of poor manufacturing, not because of user damage. I did notice a made in China label on this flute, just saying...
Im just here for the band camp flute jokes😂. That and i just aquired a vintage Gemeinhardt thats not not playing well
Finesse. . . I suspect that when you're beating the tar out of a tuba, you're doing it with a bit of finesse.
Let alone making videos like this why won't most instrument repair shops allow you to fix your own instruments like giving you parts and things of that nature I had two repair shops that would do that one though would even buy parts from other places and some other places don't do it at all why is that I don't expect you to know everybody else's business just curious and the opportunity for asking things to be knocking good video by the way
Not enough profit it in it for most parts, they might get a small discount from the supplier but by the time you add mail charges they’ll make no profit.
@@bordersw1239 that is why you buy them bulk to compensate don't pass the complications on to the customer especially when you can keep pretty much every party in a mug hypothetically speaking I wouldn't suggest anybody do that LOL
@@toolguyslayer1 . Buy what in bulk?
@@bordersw1239 the parts for the instruments I thought that's what we were talking about I have mentioned why don't they sell subcomponents for instruments for the customer directly instead of having them sent somewhere and waiting 3 Days to 3 weeks to get it back you can just go to the shop and purchase the parts yourself and repair the instrument yourself and save a few bucks and the shot can make an extra few bucks it wouldn't be everybody so no one will be stepping on anyone's toes financially speaking
@@toolguyslayer1 . Which instrument, which parts, what year was it made etc. If I want to sell flute pads, I’ll need every size from 10mm to 17.5mm in half mm sizes, each size comes in about 14 different varieties so 16x14, I’ll need to buy 100 of each size to get a bulk discount at say £2 per pad that comes to approx £44k of stock just of flute pads. Then try sax pads - much more expensive and greater variety of sizes. Or I could just sit at my bench and actually fix instruments and buy the precise pads I need from the major stockists - when I actually need them.
Beaucoup de mal pour une made in China.
This one time at band camp, I stuck a flute... Oops wrong video 😁