Bird for PVC Flutes

thingiverse

NA Flute Bird: Many NA (Native American) style flute designs can be found on the web, showcasing a wide variety of materials and techniques. Far from traditional designs, using 3/4” PVC Schedule 40 plastic plumbing tubing with drilled holes for finger stops and sound system is an easy format for youthful experimentation. Complete directions are available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=misjPOhd-9o. The PVC can be handled with a small saw, some tape, a ruler, and a drill press (or hand drill) using a sharp pencil. However, the air holes have to be carved to final dimension with a small, sharp hobby knife, which is not suitable for working with youngsters in camp or craft demos. This format also requires a small wooden "bird" that redirects air from one hole and forms a laminar airflow with some Bernoulli compression. The bird gives a flute that does not depend on careful lip placement or muscle control. Birds can be carved in soft wood (pine, cedar, basswood) with a very sharp 1/4” chisel and a lot of careful work. However, many characteristics of the flute depend on the bird's dimensions, which are very small. As you play, it absorbs moisture from your breath, introducing another variable. The bird is placed and tied with tight wraps of string but can still be moved around and broken. Sounder: One issue with this flute design is cutting the sharp edge in the lower air hole of the sounder section. If a 3D printed sounder could simply be glued into place, the need for sharp knives would almost disappear! This is especially attractive for crafting flutes in camp craft settings. Use the HF center drill set (item #60381) to drill two holes and enlarge them with a 1/2” diameter hole. Light pressure is required, as the bits have little flute to spin the plastic tube or drill through the other side of the tube.