How to Hollow a Wooden Flute

By eHow Arts & Entertainment Editor

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There are typically 2 ways to hollow out a wooden flute. The first way is to simply create a blank and drill out the center of the flute to make the flute hollow. The other way uses 2 halves of wood that are joined together to make the wooden flute. A sound chamber is made on each side of the flute and then joined together.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

  • Flute blank
  • Drill
  • Clamps
  • Drill bits in several lengths
  • Flute halves
  • Pencil
  • Hand carving tool

Drilling

Step1
Set up a clamp system that will hold the wooden flute in place without movement and will ensure that the flute is hollowed out by the drill in the middle of the flute.
Step2
Choose a drill bit that is a little less than half the diameter of your flute. You will also need several different lengths of drill bit to ensure that the flute is drilled in the exact center and from one end to almost the other.
Step3
Determine the exact center of the flute.
Step4
Begin drilling. Start with the shortest bit and move up lengths until you reach the end of the flute where the mouth piece is going to be.
Step5
Repeat steps 3 through 6 for the other half of the wooden flute.

Hand Carving

Step1
Choose the 2 pieces of wood that are going to form the 2 halves of the flute.
Step2
Determine the length and size of the flute.
Step3
Outline the bore, or the center, of the flute that needs to be carved out.
Step4
Clamp one half of the flute onto a surface to ensure that it doesn't move while you are working with it.
Step5
Begin at the bottom of the flute where the opening is going to be and move upwards toward the mouth piece with a hand carving tool and slowly begin carving out the bore. Remember to stay aware of where you marked the edges of the bore.
Step6
Make the bore as long, wide and deep as you need with the hand carving tool.

Tips & Warnings

  • Practice makes perfect with these 2 techniques. These are only the basics on how to bore out the center of the flute. You will need to practice and perfect the way you make these flutes to perfect it.

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eHow Article:  How to Hollow a Wooden Flute

eHow Arts & Entertainment Editor

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