Materials for Flutemaking
Copyright © 2000 Rick Miller
rdmiller3@gmail.com
The following dimensions are rough, but should be close enough for practical
comparisons with materials which you might be considering.
| Type | I.D. | O.D. |
|---|
| 1/2" CPVC Hot Water Pipe, 100 PSI |
12 mm | 16 mm |
| 3/4" CPVC Hot Water Pipe, 100 PSI |
18 mm | 22 mm |
| 1/2" Grey PVC Conduit |
16 mm | 21 mm |
| 1/2" White PVC Water Pipe, 100 PSI |
? mm | ? mm |
| 3/4" White PVC Water Pipe, 100 PSI |
? mm | ? mm |
| 1/2" Copper Water Pipe, Type L |
? mm | ? mm |
Polyvinyl chloride ("PVC") is a readily available thermoplastic. It will melt
when slowly heated. Typically it comes in white for potable water pipe and in
grey for nonmetallic electrical conduit. In general, nothing really adheres
to PVC but PVC. Softer than CPVC, acetone will soften it even further.
Some hobby or craft stores carry bake-cured PVC in putty form, and in a
variety of colors. It may be possible to use this for inlay, fill, and
general molding and shaping. This material is usually used to make
custom-shaped beads, so look for it where you would find beadwork supplies.
Chloro-polyvinyl chloride ("CPVC") is commonly used for hot-water plumbing and
is available in a number of sizes. By far the most common (at least in the
US) is the nominally "half inch" pipe. It's a light tan sort of color and
works fairly well with woodworking tools. It doesn't melt, but it will char
or burn when exposed to flame temperatures. When exposed to acetone, it
softens and expands somewhat.
Typically available in 5-foot and 10-foot lengths, it sure beats bamboo for
durability. It's not vulnerable to wet or dry conditions and since it's not a
thermoplastic (like white or grey PVC) it won't warp when left on the
dashboard on a hot summer day.
Plastic is good because it's easy to work, it's easy to clean, it doesn't
crack when it's dry nor split when it's damp, and it doesn't corrode.
However, remember that plastic dust never dissolves. This could be bad news
for your lungs. Use wet/dry sandpaper underwater or stick with
tools which produce shavings instead of fine dust
(i.e. drills, knives, and rasps or coarse files).
Acetone is a pretty nasty solvent. Pay attention to the warnings on the
can if you choose to use it.
A cotton ball and some acetone will take the manufacturer's markings (and
your own permanent marker lines) off your flute in a jiffy! Acetone will
also soften PVC and CPVC gradually as it soaks in, leaving it hard again
after evaporating. Use it sparingly.
(See Using Acetone.)
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Rick Miller
rdmiller3@gmail.com