Replacing a spring on a flute.

Here is my task: to replace the Upper C key spring on a student's flute.  First, I inspect

Next, I use the proper screwdriver to remove the upper C key hinge tube rod.  

Next, using my Spring Removal Plyers I grab the old spring a small distance away from the post.  I then use my Knipex Plyers(tapped with clear packing tape to prevent marring of the post in any way) to cradle the gripping Spring Removal Plyers and the post.  I exert inward pressure against the post and the gripping Spring Removal Plyers to push the existing spring through and out the opposite end of the post. 

Here you can hopefully see the old spring right side pushed through the post and ready to be completely passed through and extracted. 

Success!

Using my caliper, I measure to ensure that I use the correct wire gauge in the replacement.

Here is the new spring, measured, ready to be cut and crimped and fitted.

Using my Spring Removal Plyers, in introduce the new fitted spring to its new home in the post.

Pull it through.

Crimp it into place using my round nosed plyers.  These plyers are used here to avoid marring the finish on the post.

Replaced upper C key assembly and observed fit.

Viola!

Repurposing some of my furniture to help organize my work bench.

I dislike having to open my toolbox to search for a tool I need.  I want them organized in front of me where I can grab them without having to push up a lid or open a drawer.  Using my instructors set ups on their benches at the front of the lab rooms, I came up with a design with which I was comfortable.

My former china cabinet my now ex-wife and I purchased to hold the wedding china, etc.  I'm single again.  I don't need china displayed.  It had to be repurposed. 

Going to use the wine rack to create a holder for instruction manuals, notebooks and parts/tools catalogues.

My disassembled china cabinet in my basement.  

My workshop area in my basement where my bench tool holder was created

Ta Dah!

I discovered a little bit about furniture construction when I disassemble the china cabinet.  The parts that people used the most or viewed the most were solid.  Structural sections were laminated plywood.  I use two of the facings from pull drawers to fashion a handle.  Just used my imagination and an orbital sander.

The handle you see the blue tape hanging on has a twin on the opposite side of the tool holder so that one can lift the entire assembly and move it without removing the tools.

Here is the converted wine rack

Using another facing from a pull drawer and a few purchased poplar dowels, I fashioned an instrument holder to hold clarinets and flute body parts.  I added felt feet to level the platform to most bench surfaces.  I may add rubber feet if more grip is needed. 

Jupiter Student Line trumpet mouth pipe removal and replacement.

My King Cornet project.

A Cleveland King Cornet!  At inspection noticed that the main tuning slide was stuck, several dents in the mouthpipe. 

Creased dents in bell throat had received some work but not completed.

Mouthpipe and bell bow bent in towards each other.  

Here's a close-up of that nasty bell throat crease.

Close-up of bottom main tuning slide bottom outer tube and bottom ferrule.  Looks like someone tried to heat and pull the slide without success.  Good close-up of bent bell bow as well.

Dents in the bell bow.

Bent bell bow, dents in bow and bent mouth pipe.

Bell throat crease.

This is taken during the process of straightening of the bell bow and the leadpipe.

Dent balls helped take out the bell bow dents.

My work on the bell throat crease.

Main tuning slide repaired and adjusted to good fit.  Had to unsolder the lower main tuning slide from the lower inner tube; re-solder the main tuning slide crook onto the stuck bottom inner tube.  After a process of applying penetrating oil and applying heat I was able to pull the slide from the lower main outer tube.  Cleaned all the parts and re-solder the main tuning slide together again, adjusted the fit, lubricated and inserted back into the instrument. 

Bell straightened and throat crease improved.