The Blue Tape, Part II

Pre-cut pieces for body and footjoint

Last week, we took a closer look at the blue protective film that is used in the repair and finishing departments.  In our previous post, we visited with Repair Technician, Rachel Baker, and explained how she uses the film.  This week, we stopped in to the finishing area and chatted with flute finisher, Lindsey McChord, about how finishers use the film.

The most noticeable difference with the blue film in the finishing department is that it comes in pre-cut pieces designed to fit the body and footjoint.  Each piece has a waxy, paper backing that is removed before the film is applied.  Finishers must cover the entire flute (including the keys) to protect it from scratches.  So, the pre-cut, pre-formed pieces of film are extremely helpful for the finishers.  We imagine it would be very difficult to cut pieces of film by hand to fit perfectly around the tone holes, so it is helpful for them to have these pre-cut pieces to ensure consistency and properly protect the flutes.

Lindsey told us that once the flute body is ready for the finishing process, it has already been polished, shined, and buffed.  It's important to keep it this way, so that it remains perfectly intact for the customer -- even in the process of applying the film.  That being said, the finishers do not want to get fingerprints on the body and footjoint when applying the film.  In order to apply the film without touching the instrument, the finishers use a folding fixture as you will see in the photos below.  The fixture can be used to hold the body and the footjoint.  There is a removable section on the end that can be placed in three slots -- 1 for the body, 1 for a b footjoint, and 1 for a c footjoint.  Once the body or footjoint is in place and held securely in the fixture, the finisher removes the paper backing from the film and applies the film to the body.  The finishers will then have to cut pieces for the key cups, which Lindsey says they do by first applying a piece of the film to the cup and then carefully cutting around the outside of the cup.  Once everything is covered, the flute is protected and ready for the rest of the finishing process!

Body in fixture, ready for film!

Applying the film, lining it up carefully to fit.

Done!

Lindsey points to the slot for the b foot (c foot slot is to the left of this).

Inserting the end section into the b foot slot.

Fixture is now ready to hold a b footjoint.

The Blue Tape

We often times post photos of flutes in production or in the repair shop that appear to be blue, and we are asked, "what's the blue tape?"  Well, in actuality, it is a blue protective film that comes on a roll, much like a roll of tape.  However, it is not sticky -- it adheres to the metal like a static decal would to a piece of glass like a window.  The purpose of the blue film is to protect the metal from getting scratched or otherwise damaged during the finishing process or during repair.

When we see flutes in the finishing department, the protective film is on the entire flute body, footjoint, and keys.  We stopped in to the repair shop this week and spotted our technician, Rachel Baker, cutting a piece from the roll as she prepared to start on a flute that was in for an overhaul.  Rachel cut a piece and applied it to the back of the body, because she said that this particular area is what will come in contact with the repair mat -- so the protective film will help prevent scratches as Rachel works on the flute.  In the case of the film being used on the entire body and keys, pieces are cut from the roll, and then these pieces are cut again to the appropriate size and shape to fit the body and keys.  After a flute leaves the finishing department or the repair shop, the blue film is removed, and the well-protected metal is revealed! 

So, the next time you see what appears to be a "blue flute," do not fear -- it is merely a type of film covering the flute to protect it.  The film itself does not harm the flute in any way or leave any type of coloring.

Taking a piece of blue film from the roll.

Getting ready to cut it to length.

Cutting the piece.

Applying the piece to the back of the flute body.

Smoothing the piece down.

Done!