The Pied Piper Visits the shop
Posted on November 26, 2007
I had my friend Dennis visit the turned.out.right shop a week ago. He is an avid flute maker and for some time we have been meaning to get together. We finally did it.
I wanted to make a base Native American Flute (NAF) for some time now and had already drilled and shaped a 30″ poplar blank (nearly a year ago) . After researching NAF’s I became fascinated by the science behind the making of a flute. I also gained a huge respect for the skill and innovativeness of the Native Americans. I wanted to see if I could build and play one.
So… how did I drill a 1 1/4 inch hole straight for 30 inches ,,,, well a picture is worth 30″ of words.
Don’t try that at home……
To start this thing someone, I don’t remember who, said that a 11/4 inch hole could not be drilled straight for 30 inches on a wood lathe. Well that was all the challenge I needed. I proved it could be done, then it sat on my bench for a year.
Dennis had already made one of these beasts so we decided to collaborate.
The following pictures outline the technique and pretty much summarize a night that started about 7:00 PM and ended at 4:00 AM. What the heck we were having fun with something new.
We started with a shaped blank. At this point it has a 11/4 hole down its center and it is about 1/2 inch thick.
We cut the tube into 3 pieces: the mouthpiece (slow speed chamber), the true sound hole section and the body (not shown).
This photo shows the mouthpiece dry fit into the TSH section. The TSH still has to be cut as does the outer diameter of the of the mouthpeice.
The body was mounted between centers and a teno turned on one end. This tenon must slide all the way up to the back of the TSH. The fit had to be tight.
Three sides of the TSH section was then cut down to size. Don’t cut the top surface as the bird has to fit flat on it.
A close up view of the tenon with a notch cut for the TSH. A matching hole was cut in the TSH section.
A full view of the assembled flute. We used thick CA to glue the joints.
A close up view of the TSH and associated chambers.
Shaping the flutes outside
The flute assembled and shaped with the bird installed.
The flute is not quite complete. I still have to:
- Drill and tune it (done but no pictures yet)
- Compete surface embellishments
- Finish the inside and out
- Tie on the bird
- Try and play it…..
I will update you as I complete those steps.
I also plan on doing a SketchUp drawing of this flute. Make sure that you set up a feed from this site and check back often.
Special thanks to Dennis who helped me take a turning challenge and turn it into a musical instrument.
I think it TURNED.OUT.RIGHT……..
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