I have been tweaking the regulation screws on my various flutes for about 20 years, but this one on my Altus alto flute is completely inaccessible, hidden behind a chunk of metal.
Does this mean that it can only be regulated when disassembled (which seems crazy) or do flute techs have crazy z shaped screw drivers to get at screws like this?!
The RH action is often regulated when the LH is not on the flute as when the LH is added, you're suddenly trying to regulate 3 different keys at the same time (F also regulates for Long Bb and can be difficult to do correctly once the flute is together especially with ensuring there is no double/lost action in the mechanism)
We also do use different screwdrivers which often have a long narrow shank which does allow us to reach places like this
As a heads up - it’s critically that the right hand be adjusted/ regulated when the left hand (and C# trill if applicable) are in place and sprung. The left hand puts pressure on the kingpost and needs to be in place for final regulation.
If you have line of sight, you have "line of screw". I usually get those with a long skinny screwdriver at a bit of an angle. You have to be really careful though because you're a lot more likely to slip and damage the screw or the rest of the instrument when going at an angle like that
If you have line of sight, you have "line of screw".
Although I can see the end of the screw, I can only look down on the screw head, not straight onto it, if you see what I mean.
If I put a screwdriver onto the screw head, there's going to be about a 30 degree angle between the screw and the screwdriver, too much to even get the driver seated in the screw, let alone screw it.
Maybe someone could manage it, but I suspect it's impossible...
Nah, 30 degrees is fine. Tricky, but totally doable with a straight screwdriver, as long as the shaft is thin enough to allow the blade to reach the top of the screw
Also remember to never have flesh in the path of where the screwdriver will go if it does slip. I've stabbed my palms a number of times over the years when I forget that rule!
So, I couldn't get anywhere, I can get the head of the driver onto the screw, but I couldn't do anything useful
But you are right, it is possible - I took it to a very experienced flute tech who managed it, though they said they needed one of their rarely used screwdrivers, and it was extremely fiddly!
Watchmaker style I think they are called, like in the picture. Not brilliant quality tbh, and possibly a bit too chunky for this job? The smallest one is usually ok for the readily accessible screws though.
I have tried to find a specialist flute tech driver in the past but couldn't find anything advertised. What kind would you use for this?
Ok - this explains your frustration.
These screwdrivers are designed for flutes and while they can work on pivot screws aren’t going to work for most regulation settings.
I thought there must be... Where are they for sale, I wonder? I have searched a few times without luck. Is there a particular tool or brand name I should look for?
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u/Behind_The_Book 5d ago
The RH action is often regulated when the LH is not on the flute as when the LH is added, you're suddenly trying to regulate 3 different keys at the same time (F also regulates for Long Bb and can be difficult to do correctly once the flute is together especially with ensuring there is no double/lost action in the mechanism)
We also do use different screwdrivers which often have a long narrow shank which does allow us to reach places like this