Tell us something.: I restore 19th century flutes, specializing in Rudall & Rose, and early American flutes. I occasionally make new flutes. Been at it for about 15 years.
I made my first key! Tricky stuff, I can see why flute makers charge so much for keyed flutes! I also made a new touch for the Cnat key, and shortened the C#, C key touches, as the foot was shortened 1/4" to correct the flat foot syndrome. I found another Metzler in the Dayton Miller collection to copy the detail from.
At this rate I should have my own keyed flute by 2012...
"I love the flute because it's the one instrument in the world where you can feel your own breath. I can feel my breath with my fingers. It's as if I'm speaking from my soul..."
Michael Flatley
Where are the keymakers? Didn't folks used to specialise and work with various small-production flutemakers? I guess I'm stuck stealing basmati keys off junked clarinets.
Nice work, Jon! Talk to you in 2013 about a 13 key Rudall w/ a Bb foot.
Oh, dear, oh dear... so now I must save up for one of your keyed flutes too ... and here I thought I will be done buying flutes as soon as I'll receive your keyless .... well, what was the year... 2012... that gives me... well... about 5 years starting in a couple of months so I better start saving starting from now....hahaha....
Chiffed wrote:Where are the keymakers? Didn't folks used to specialise and work with various small-production flutemakers?
Helen Grinter makes Mike's keys (and cases), and Marlene Boegli makes Dave Copley's keys. I think Courtney Wescott makes Peter Noy's keys, but I'm not sure. So there are key makers out there.
Charlie Whorfin Woods
"Our work puts heavy metal where it belongs -- as a music genre and not a pollutant in drinking water." -- Prof Ali Miserez.
Jon;
Can you briefly describe what is involved in making silver keys, or do you prefer to make them from brass and plate them?
I suppose a jewellary making background would be a good thing for this kind of work.
... and here I thought I will be done buying flutes as soon as I'll receive your keyless 
.... well, what was the year... 2012... that gives me... well... about 5 years starting in a couple of months so I better start saving starting from now....hahaha.... 
