The Art of Repair

[mirwa]

As the repair forum has just been opened, Id like to kick of a topic.

Repair, Is different to manufacturing, I state this fact because it seems pretty obvious but still needs to be stated.

Example a guitar is made by a local builder or major manufacturer and some one stands on it and breaks it, now the guitar was built with no design restraints, it was built by the builder and incorporated all his or her mistakes, it was painted by whatever mix he had in the gun, as a repairer you need to work within the manufacturers design restraints, you need to seemlessly incorporate any repair so it blends in as if its invisible and was made by the builder / manufacturer.

What does this have to do with flutes, everything IMO, when ever someone does a repair they need to think of how the manufacturer has made the instrument and approach the repair with this in mind, the goal is not to go """"here is my repaired area, looks good doesn't it"""", but more like "What Repair".

Hence my terminology "The Art of Repair", IMO repairing is a long lost art and is becoming scarcer every day as everyone becomes orientated around computers and the loss of hand skills.

As a repairer, this is my approach and the approach I teach my apprentices.

Just a blurb, take it as you will.

[pied_piper]

Sage words, indeed!

[Classitar]

Great insight!

[flutego12]

Like!

some clarifications needed here but [the goal is not to go """"here is my repaired area, looks good doesn't it"""", but more like "What Repair".] ... ?

[mirwa]

Fg12, when learning repair under ones own steam or under an apprenticeship, the goal is to take the repair to the highest level you can achieve, the reason for this is because its learning, you have no time constraints or commercial implications imposed upon you.

Your goal is to make a repair invisible, as if it had never had happened. Once you become commercialised then everything is based around payment, so whilst you may be able to take something to perfection, the client probably cannot afford for you to do it, so you then do alternative style repairs to suit the clients budget.

But if you cannot repair something to an invisible repair with no time constraints, then you have no chance of achieving this in a commercial setting where time is accountable.

[fluteguy18]

LOVE your post M-

Such a level of expertise is my goal.

[mirwa]

From memory you started at redwing this week didnt you (is it Adam)

[fluteguy18]

Yes I did.

[flutego12]

Yes I did.

All the best Adam!
Star pupil in the making.

[JButky]

Yes I did.

All the best Adam!
Star pupil in the making.

I have had word with his instructors too...

[fluteguy18]

Yes Joe. Yes you have.

This week has been full of nomenclature, metal alloy composition, tool modification, and tool manufacture. So far I've made various pokers using a bench motor and silicon carbide wheels, a soldering wire holder from brass rod, and been working on a trumpet porting tool out of steel drill rod. The last one has been the most fun so far because in addition to the bench motor, belt sanders, buffing wheels and various files I also have gotten to use fire. Really HOT fire. Silver soldering is FUN.

Some blog posts on the subject will probably go up tonight. With pictures and video.

[pied_piper]

... I also have gotten to use fire. Really HOT fire. Silver soldering is FUN.

Some blog posts on the subject will probably go up tonight. With pictures and video.

Yes, there is a great satisfaction in silver soldering. I am always pleased when I see the silver solder melt and flow to join two different pieces of metal together. I think i recall from your past that as a youngster, you enjoyed taking your flute apart and putting it back together. However, don't be tempted to break a key on your Miyazawa just so you can braze it back together again.

I will look forward to seeing your learning adventure on your blog!