Slide repair . . . Wilkes

sturob · Post by **sturob** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 8:30 am

Hey Chiffers!

Question for you. I have a ver' nahss Wilkes C flute, which I dearly love. Recently, when we had our beloved hurricane, I didn't play anything for a few weeks. When I went back to aforementioned flute, the slide had stuck.

I got it unstuck. I was exceedingly happy I got it unstuck.

Now, my question is this. Wilkes appears to come from the lube-the-slide camp; it appears to have something like graphite on it. Is this something I ought to take the flute to a repair shop to have them look at the slide? You know, regular silver flute place? Should I attempt something myself? I haven't had any slides stick in 15 years so I'm kind of unsure what to do.

My gut tells me that if I were to clean both parts of the slide, and re-lube it with whatever, it'd be fine, but I don't want to make things worse. I've tried to contact Chris, but have so far been unable.

Thanks for your information and assistance in advance.

Stuart

BrendanB · Post by **BrendanB** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 10:35 am

Hey Stuart,

Obviously, I won't speak for Chris, but I know of a few people who have Wilkes flutes who have 'relubed' them just with the classic mix of beeswax and vaseline. Heat up the beeswax, throw a little vaseline in there and then just put a small amount on the slide. It'll keep it tacky so it doesn't slide around on you when you are playing, but still have some lubricant in there.

B

gododdin · Post by **gododdin** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 10:58 am

Hi Stuart

I have one of Chris' flutes and asked him about lube on the slide a while back - he told me that unless the grease is deliberately wiped off it shouldn't need re greasing for years. He uses "Molykote thick Silicon grease" to lube the slide but he says it's quite difficult to get hold of. I believe you can buy a wee pot directly from him though.

Cheers

sturob · Post by **sturob** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 8:02 pm

Good advice . . . thanks.

I don't know if I want to buy a little pot from Chris; this is the first slide I've ever had stick. Maybe I should use something different.

Stuart

plunk111 · Post by **plunk111** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 8:39 pm

You could try lanolin - it is cheap and you can buy it at any drug store. I use it on my M&E slide and on all my trumpet slides...

Pat

dlambert · Post by **dlambert** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 7:13 am

would it be legal for Chris to sell you a little pot?

sturob · Post by **sturob** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 7:32 am

What if I promise to use it only for medicinal purposes?

Stuart

gododdin · Post by **gododdin** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:08 am

Glad someone twigged!

Cathy Wilde · Post by **Cathy Wilde** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 11:28 am

This is an old Boehm joint

thing but it's worked on my wooden flute slides in a pinch, too .... gently "scribbling" on the male end of the slide with the side of a pencil. Yes, a pencil .... It's graphite!