visited a local flutemaker

[CarvedTones]

I apologize for the cell phone pics, but the time between contacting him about a visit someday and then having someday come was under a day...

I happened across a listing for a maker of NAFs (Native American Flutes):
http://www.risingmoonflutes.com/
who bores his flutes (most NAF builders trench 2 halves and then glue them together). I noticed he was in Raleigh, so I sent him an email asking if I might come by and see his shop sometime. I told him I was also trying to slowly get into this, but not really head to head since I am doing European style woodwinds. He replied almost right away and it turns out he is less than 4 miles from my office and he ahd some free time this afternoon.

Again, apologies for the cell phone pics. His name is David O'Niel and he makes flutes in a really small shop in the 'burbs part time, working a nerd type job like mine full time for now.

He is cranking out a lot of flutes.

on a big honkin' lathe.

One more apology about the camera.

I learned a lot in a short period. I wish I had taken a better camera. After the shop tour, we went up to the house and he showed me a few different models he makes and played them. Some really nice flutes!

If anyone goes to Spring Daze in Cary on saturday, look for him there...

 

[Vetteman9956]

You know Andy, you should try something different, Try building a wooden Tuba!! :gar-La;

 

[Sealeveler]

Glad to hear you had a good meeting and traded some tricks.Tony

 

[CarvedTones]

Tony,

Wasn't much of a trade; I had little to offer and much to learn. He has made a pretty significant investment in his equipment as it is very much a business. He has a couple of drill bits that cost more than my lathe, chucks and bits added together. But it makes sense, because he can qucikly and cleanly get big long tubes.

Brad,

I think the tuba was invented when some idiot woke up a knight with a great bass shawm.

 

[Vetteman9956]

But just think Andy, You could corner the market.

 

[CatButler]

That's funny. I work with David and was telling about your new lathe project. I told him you make European flutes so we checked out your website.

 

[CarvedTones]

You will have to show him this picture, which will never show up on my site :no::

I was inspired to try an external duct fipple after my visit. The mouthpiece is a plastic test tube with a hole drilled in it. It actually works okay. It was an interesting exercise to help me understand edges and airflow better.