If the Plug-O Fits...

Metal Powell Plug-O

Plug-Os can be very helpful for many people, but what if it does not fit?  Is this possible?  Actually, it may be the case for some Powell Flutes, but there is definitely an option in this situation...

Powell's Repair Technician, Rachel Baker, shared a customer inquiry with us this week.  She said the customer wrote, "I purchased Powell Plug-Os, but they don't fit.  They are too small.  Do you have any recommendations on what to do?"  Of course, Rachel had a recommendation, and it is very simple.  If you order Powell Plug-Os®, and they are too small to fit, you can order the Sonaré Plug-Os®, which are slightly larger and should fit.
 
So, why would a Powell Plug-O not fit a Powell flute?  Well, some Powell flutes, particularly those made in the 1960s and 1970s, have French keys with holes that are slightly larger than French keys on today's Powell flutes.  Why is this?  Rachel tells us that designs simply change over time, and that is the case here.  She also said it may be hard to tell what size you need, but both the metal Sonaré Plug-Os or silicone plugs will be 9mm in diameter, and the Powell Plug-Os (and plugs) will be 7mm in diameter.  If you are thinking of ordering Plug-Os, Rachel recommends ordering the Powell Plug-Os.  If they don't fit, you can simply return and exchange them for the Sonaré Plug-Os.  Both types of Plug-Os are available directly on the Powell website in the VQP shop at https://powellflutes.com/vqpshop/plugs-plug-os.

Screen shot of the Plug-O page in the VQP Shop.

Cleaning Your Plug-Os

Plug-Os in French keys

We recently had an inquiry from a customer with a "stuck Plug-O" and thought it might be time to talk a bit about prevention...  You see, if you have a Plug-O stuck in one of your flute keys, the best remedy is to take it to your repair technician.  But, there is something you can do to keep your Plug-Os from getting stuck -- clean them!

The Plug-O has a rubber "O ring" that fits inside the hole in the middle of a French key cup.  The rubber is meant to grip the metal to provide a secure fit.  However, the Plug-O can accumulate some "grime" after a period of time, simply from normal wear and tear.  The oils from your hands can get down around the edge of the Plug-O, mixing with dirt and dust particles and creating a build-up that makes the Plug-O difficult to remove.

So, how can you keep this from happening?  Well, you should remove the Plug-Os periodically and clean them -- and the keys as well.  Start by removing the Plug-O with the tool that came in the package.  It is specially designed with a small plastic tip that goes under the middle of the Plug-O.  Push up gently, and the Plug-O should come out.  Then, you should take a clean, dry Q-tip and wipe around the inside of the hole in the French key cup.  Now it is time to clean the Plug-O.  You can run the Plug-O under a bit of water and then wipe it off with a clean, dry cloth (or clean, dry Q-tip).  Make sure the Plug-O is completely dry before you put it back in the key cup!  Once it is clean and dry, it should be good to go!

Water really is best for cleaning the Plug-O.  Do not use alcohol (no matter how tempting) because it will dry out the rubber O ring and cause it to crack or break.  Also, if you are wondering how often you should clean the Plug-Os, well, it depends on the player.  It could be once a month or once every now and then.  It really depends on how "grimy" your flute gets on the outside from regular wear and tear.  Whatever frequency you need for cleaning, it will all pay off in the long run!

Red arrow points to built-up grime on the Plug-O's "O ring."

Red arrow points to clean O ring.

Removal tool that comes in the Plug-O package.

Top of the tool has a small plastic tip to help remove Plug-O.

Key Extensions

We've heard from many flute players over the years who have developed arthritis or other health issues with their hands and wrists.  Some players have even suffered injuries or have had surgery.  In these cases of hand and wrist issues, many have asked for key extensions. After stopping in the repair shop this week, we discovered that one woman will be getting her Powell flute back with a very special key extension. 

A woman who recently had wrist surgery called our repair shop and spoke with our technician, Rachel Baker.  She requested to have a key extension for her G key.  Rachel came up with a new idea for a key extension that was actually quite simple -- a C1 key cup soldered to a Plug-O!  When we first saw the extension, we couldn't tell from the outside that it was removable -- but, indeed it is!  Like a regular Plug-O, you can insert it and remove it.  Rachel Baker pointed out that it is removable and "movable."  You can rotate it and position it exactly where you want it.  It is also transferable, so if you get a new Powell flute, you can use it with that one as well.  Also, because the extension is removable, it does not permanently alter the original mechanism on your flute.  This is helpful if you decide to eventually sell your flute.  Finally, Rachel adds, "and it's solid silver," which is certainly a terrific perk!

Rachel mentioned to us that many people can benefit from this key extension.  Aside from those with hand and wrist problems, we know that not all flutes players are alike.  Some players may have difficulty with comfortable hand position on an inline flute if their hands are too big or too small.  The Plug-O key extension functions in a way that helps "mimic" an offset style on an inline flute.  Before soldering, Rachel positioned the key cup onto the Plug-O where she felt it was the most comfortable.  However, it certainly is possible to position it differently to meet the player's preference.

If you are interested in an extension for your G key (or any other keys), feel free to contact our repair shop after May 13th, 2013 at (978) 344-5164.

Key extension is made from a Plug-O with soldered C1 key cup.

Front view of Plug-O key extension.

Close-up.

Side view.

Removing the key extension is as simple as removing a Plug-O!

It's out, and there is no change to the G key.