Prototype Conical PVC Flute

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Jon C.
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Post by Jon C. »

Hi,
I have been toying with the idea of making a true conical PVC flute, finely got around to the "prototype". It is even in tune!
Here is how I did it...

Turned a old mop handle on the lathe to the proper taper using my new Dixon flute as a model.

Heated up a piece of 1/2 PVC until it was like silly puddy, using my PVC oven.

Wearing heavy leather gloves I forced the "mandrel" into the pipe and streched it out so it would be tight on the mandrel.

Then, ran cold water over it to cool.
It was a little hard getting the dowel out of the pipe... The PVC shrinks when it cools.

I made another Mandrel for the head joint, and molded that too.

Due to the shrinkage the bore is reduced from .7540in to .6950, I think I will have to oversize the mandrel to allow for shrinkage. Also I think I will make the mandrel out of steel next time, and grease it up.

But all in all it made a nice sounding flute!
:smile: Jon
Edited because of stupidity!

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Jon C. on 2003-01-12 02:37 ]</font>
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MurphyStout
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Post by MurphyStout »

Hey that sounds interesting! Any sample clips perhaps?
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Loren
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Post by Loren »

Very Cool indeed. Would be even cooler if you could make a Conical bore PVC whistle that way, since none currently exist.

Loren
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Tony
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Post by Tony »

Jon, Great Idea...
I've heat formed plastic hobby parts (usually vacuumform) and noticed stretched areas work well and compressed (swedged?) areas often winkle.
About a year ago I put some time into a plastic reed project and stopped for lack of time and interest. There is some relevence to your project so I uploaded some images for conversation and have a few questions:
When you shaped the PVC around the mandrel did you get a distorted surface like this?
http://www.angar.net/reeds/PIC00009.jpg
I was able to resolve the wrinkles by using a 2 part mould instead of pressing the heated plastic over a one part mould.
http://www.angar.net/reeds/PIC00002.jpg
The result was a more uniform bend
http://www.angar.net/reeds/PIC00005.jpg
http://www.angar.net/reeds/PIC00006.jpg
If you want to repeat the process with more accuracy would you be able to make a 2 part mould?
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Jon C.
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Post by Jon C. »

Hi Ya'll,
Thanks for your response.
I will try to make a mp3 to post. I was surprised how well the flute sounds.
I will make a whistle next, it should be pretty easy, if I buy a ready made fipple for it. It should make a nice playing whistle.
Tony, to answer your questions:
I didn't have any problems with the wrinkle factor, on the conical section, as I was expanding the pipe, the foot stretched out nicely over the mandrel. I did think about making a two piece mold, but I don't think it would be nessasary for this section.
Making the head joint was the most difficult.
I streched the pipe over the headjoint mandrel. When I got to the socket I had to push the pipe on the mandrel and it wrinkled a little. I ended up reheating it and melting it on the mandrel again. It might be best to have a outer mold to fit it into, this could be made by cutting a pipe length wise and "clam shelling" it over the outside of the pipe.
All and all it was success and joy.
I will post a picture of the flute when I get a chance. Jon
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Jon C.
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Post by Jon C. »

Here are a couple of pictures of the flute.:wink:

http://community.webshots.com/scripts/e ... D=60561506

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Jon C. on 2003-01-13 02:31 ]</font>
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Post by Blayloch »

-Loren, I have a Susato conical bore pvc low D...

-Aaron
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Post by Tony »

Jon, the images aren't visable unless you logon.



Aaron, is this a product in the catalog?
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Loren
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Post by Loren »

On 2003-01-13 03:56, Blayloch wrote:
-Loren, I have a Susato conical bore pvc low D...

-Aaron
Really? That's intersting, never seen one...never even heard that they have made and sold Conical bore Low Whistles. How about a picture?

Loren
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Jon C.
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Post by Jon C. »

Opps!
Sorry, the pictures opened for me, because I was logged in... :sad:
Does anyone know how I can post my pictures, without having a website? :???:

Aaron- Are you sure it is conical? all the Susato's I have seen are straight.
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ErikT
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Post by ErikT »

Jon, e-mail me your pictures and I'll post them.

Erik
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Loren
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Post by Loren »

Or, you can get set up for free picture hosting at http://www.picturetrail.com

They limit the number of photos you can host on the free accounts, but you can sign up for multiple free accounts if you have a bunch of photos.

Loren
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Jon C.
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Post by Jon C. »

Hi,
Let me try Loren's website first...
Try, try again.
Edit: It works!


http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/vie ... &members=1

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Jon C. on 2003-01-14 18:41 ]</font>
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ErikT
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Post by ErikT »

Hey, we've got the same shoes!

Very nice, Jon. Looks like great craftsmanship. You were able to swage the body all in one piece?! I'm impressed.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: ErikT on 2003-01-14 18:50 ]</font>
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Blayloch
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Post by Blayloch »

Nice work!

Thats a good looking flute. I'll post pictures of my Susato Whistle later tonight. It's kinda wierd, it is conical on the INSIDE, and straight on the outside.

I have a conical and a straight, I'll put them side by side in the pictures.

Congradulations again on the flute, it looks good.
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