Hello Pastor Clyde.

I didn't want to hi-jack Jeremy's thread so here is my response to your question concerning undercutting finger holes.



When putting finger holes in, I like to have them about 3 cents flat (I use a Dremel and stone to burn in the holes). Then, using a round file, I gently file all of the underside of the finger holes taking that sharp edge off as well as removing any splinters. Because each hole is different, I really couldn't tell you how much I remove but it isn't much generally. Also, because I like my finger holes to be as close to possible in size from an appearance standpoint, some holes will require more to be removed (undercut) anyway in the initial tuning. Hole number 3 especially likes to get kind of large so it is generally undercut much more than the others. I am finishing up a little Bb and when I take pictures of it, I'll try to get some close ups of the under cut finger holes if I can.

DISCLAIMER - there are many others on this forum who know much, much, much more than I. I would suggest asking questions to the pro's before you rely on something I say.

Peace,
David "Double D" Dicks

Thanks David . I am on my 13 th blank . Soon I will be ready to approach the process again. I feel like a wrangler in a corral as I really want to get the method down. The more blanks I make the more I concerned I am not to take the next step lightly. Each and every one has a magic of it's own and I feel a responsibility to make it right for them. I am thinking I should make this a visual process and record each blank fundamental. Oh so important to it all is the sound , not the looks. Perfect looking flutes is a nice aim I guess . but I will settle for good sound. Peace . PC

Success ! Well I took one of the lesser of my blank collection and made a functioning flute yesterday . I have another blank that is prepped and ready to go . Only thing that is troublesome is the black coloring the fir takes on from moisture. I haven't oiled it yet and actually plan on putting poly inside the SAC . This is a 1 inch E minor that has a TSH width that is a tad over a half an inch. A little air on the second hole but after I put it down and came back to it it sounded great. I am wondering if I can manage a C as a fundamental with a .55 inch wide TSH with a one inch bore ? For now I am going to try an F next. I used a round micro file to undercut it worked great.