|
| Standard Repair Procedures |
| |
A brief guide through the maze of repair terms and levels of repair.
Regulation and adjustment (set to good playing order).
This requires different levels of attention depending on the quality of the instrument. As a general rule, the more expensive the instrument, the more delicate and time consuming the adjustments will be. As well as the work outlined below, joint fittings and head cork are checked and adjusted as necessary.
Standard procedures;
Student flutes
|
Realignment of keywork where necessary |
|
Some shimming of pads to ensure instrument is airtight |
|
Adjustments to mechanism screws and corks or felts. |
Upgraded and advanced flutes
Conservatory & hand made flutes
|
Shimming of pads to ensure instrument is airtight |
|
Adjust mechanism with cork/felt/paper/leather as appropriate. |
Service
This procedure should be carried out every one to two years, depending on how often the instrument is played and how well it is cared for. Regular servicing will keep an instrument in top playing condition and prolong its life.
In addition to all procedures outlined in Regulation and adjustment (set to good playing order) above, this comprises the following;
|
Strip instrument (without removing pins) |
|
Clean and polish keywork, body, head and foot joint |
|
Clean rods and pads |
|
Check and adjust mechanism and spring tension |
|
Re-oil mechanism (this has two functions - the protection of the steel axles against corrosion and wear and the elimination of noisy keywork) |
|
Change damaged pads or felts as necessary |
|
De-pinning of all pinned sections if deemed necessary |
Complete overhaul
After a certain time (anything from two to twenty or more years!), the pads and corks and felts will have exceeded their useful life span and an overhaul will be necessary. This procedure will restore the instrument as close to new condition as possible.
In addition to all procedures outlined in a service above, this comprises the following;
|
Strip instrument (including removal of pins) |
|
De-greasing and re-oiling of mechanism |
|
Removal of excessive mechanism movement |
|
Thorough cleaning and polishing |
|
Re-padding |
|
Re-felting and re-corking |
|
Removal of small dents |
Other work, which doesn't normally come under the above headings, is quoted for separately or added to other procedures.
E.g.
Heavy tarnish removal
Removal of serious dents
All accidental damage
Fitting of joints (other than normal adjustment)
Spring replacement
Re-plating
Structural alterations.
|
|
|
|  |
