How to Carve a Flute Out of Wood
Flutes have been used in many cultures across the globe for thousands of years. They can be made from clay, stone, different metals, plastic, and even bone. Once of the most popular materials for enthusiasts who enjoy crafting their won instruments is wood. Working with wood can be very satisfying. Making an instrument with your hands can make the final product even more special. For the example in this article, you will be making a flute out of pine.
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Things You'll Need
- 3 foot pine dowel rod Pencil Small carving knife 200 grit sand paper Hack saw Drill 1/2 inch drill bit 1 inch drill bit Safety goggles.
Instructions
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Cut your dowel rod of pine to 1 foot. Mark a hole (1 inch in diameter) on the back end of the dowel. Mark a 1/2-inch diameter hole on the front end of the dowel rod. Mark a rectangle at 3 inches from the left for the ramp. Draw six 1/2-inch diameter holes one inch apart starting from the ramp. Turn the flute over. Add a 1/2-inch diameter hole 4 inches from the left for the thumb hole.
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2
Drill the finger holes with a small 1/2 diameter drill bit. Make sure to not to drill through the other side. Drill these holes about half way though the rod. Drill into the front of the flute at the 1/2-inch circle mark. Drill 3 inches inside and stop. Switch to the 1-inch drill bit. Carefully drill from the back circle until you meet the hole drilled from the front.
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3
Carve out the ramp from the rectangle marking by carving a diagonal ramp going down from left to right and into the hole in the flute chamber. Use a small carving knife for this endeavor. Once you start to break through, switch to the other side of the rectangle. Carve directly down from the back of the rectangle until you break through. Widen the hole to 1/4 of an inch.
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4
Sand the entire flute with 200 grit sand paper. Roll the sand paper around a pencil. Use this to sand the inside of the flute and each finger hole.
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Play the flute by pressing your right thumb over the thumb hole. Place your index, middle and ring fingers of your right hand over the first three holes. Place the index, middle and ring fingers of the left hand over the bottom three holes.
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Change notes by removing your finger from the bottom to the top and go from low to high pitch. For example, with only the thumb hole closed, you are playing a high "C." Place a finger on the top hole, and you are playing "B." Place another finger on the next, and you are playing "A. "G," "F." "E," and "D" follow in order. To jump from "D" to "A," you must have all your fingers on the holes, and then remove all but the top two.
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Tips & Warnings
A very light rubbing of flax oil can strengthen the flute and add nice shine to it. Since this your own flute, consider carving in some unique designs to really make it your own.
Take your time carving and drilling. If you crack the wood, you're going to have to start over. Always use safety goggles when carving wood or using any sort of power tool.
