On Mon, 10 Dec 2007 22:07:06 +0000, JakeD wrote:

On Mon, 10 Dec 2007 21:29:57 +0000, Stephen Howard
wrote:

What part of the flute d'you need this kind of glue for?

There are very few glued parts on a period flute, and where there are
they're glued with shellac ( the head lining, for example ).

Thanks for the info. This one is not a Western flute, so there is no
head lining. The flute was made in two halves (like a piece of tubing
sliced longways in two) which need to be joined. Playing will tend to
cause condensation which could build up inside, so the glue should be
fairly impervious to water.

These type of 'native' flutes were glued together with resin,
typically obtained from Pitch Pine trees. They were often additionally
bound with hide ties, or sometimes covered in skin.
If you want to keep it authentic you'll need to find a Pitch Pine tree
( or do a google for "pine pitch" - some specialist retailers sell
it....the dried stuff is violin rosin ).

Shellac is quite a common adhesive for woodwind instruments - its
chief properties being that it melts easily and sets quite hard. Flute
head liners, as mentioned, is a typical application, as is securing
metal tenon sockets. It's still commonly used for setting pads. You
can buy standard flake shellac from good decorators stores under the
Liberon name.
I wouldn't recommend it for your application...there will be
insufficient surface area to maintain a good bond once the wood starts
moving - and it wouldn't be authentic to the type of flute you're
making.

Regards,



--
Stephen Howard - Woodwind repairs & period restorations
http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk
Emails to: showard{who is at}shwoodwind{dot}co{dot}uk