How to Replace the Flute Cork

The head cork helps your flute keep its pitch.

In the top of a flute, between the mouth plate and the crown, is a piece of cork called the head cork. It keeps the flute playing in tune, but if it gets too loose, shifts or moves in any way, it can make notes go flat or sharp. When it gets old or stops functioning right, you can get it replaced at an instrument repair shop for a small amount of money, or you can replace it yourself at home and save some cash.

Things You'll Need

• Replacement head cork
• Dowel rod smaller than the internal diameter of your flute
• Ruler
• Screwdriver
• Knife
• Rubbing alcohol and swabs
• Contact cement
• Cork grease or lubricant
• Hammer or mallet
• Cleaning rod for your flute

Instructions

1. Disassemble your flute and remove the crown, which is the cap at the end of your flute where the mouthpiece is located. You should be able to see the head cork in your flute between the crown and mouthpiece.

2. Slide the dowel into the flute through the hole where your crown fits. Push against the head cork assembly -- two metal plates that are screwed onto the cork itself -- to remove it through the other end of the head joint, which is the smaller section of flute that you are working on.

3. Measure your old head cork and remove it from the head cork assembly. You will have to unscrew the washer from one end and unscrew the other end from the cork itself. Glue may have been used to attach the cork to the assembly, so you may have to scrape off the cork with a knife. Clean the assembly with the alcohol and wipes to remove as much residue as you can.

4. Measure your new head cork and trim it to the length of your old one, if necessary.

5. Apply contact cement to the end of your new head cork and the side of your assembly that was glued to the old cork. Let it dry for 10 minutes before reassembling your head cork assembly. Hold the cork firmly while you screw it back together to make sure it doesn't shift in the assembly. Reattach the bottom plate and washer.

6. Lubricate your cork assembly and push it back into the head joint through the non-crown end with your dowel. Be prepared to tap the dowel lightly with a hammer or mallet to get it in place. Use your cleaning rod to check its placement. There is a mark at one end that, when placed against your head cork from the non-crown end of the head joint, will show up in the center of your mouthpiece hole.

7. Replace the crown, then clean and reassemble your flute.

Tips & Warnings

• Never try to push the cork out through the crown, which could damage the flute.

References

• Instrument Clinic: How to Replace Flute Head Cork
• Jennifer Cluff: Headjoint Cork Affects Tone & Tuning: Jennifer Cluff: Aug 4, 2008