by Pete
Kosel
There are now two versions of the flutomat calculator, this version
for 6-hole flutes and another for 8-hole flutes.
Instructions
1. Enter inside diameter and wall thickness of your pipe.
2. Enter desired playing frequencies in hertz (i.e. cycles per
second) or use the key selector to set frequencies automatically.
3. Enter desired hole sizes.
4. Press "calculate" button.
5. Examine results. Holes more than 1.25 inches apart may
be hard to reach.
6. Enter different hole sizes (smaller to move up the flute,
bigger to move down toward end-of-flute).
7. Press "calculate" again, try various hole size schemes until
you're happy.
8. Print page or write down the results, get out your drills,
build your flute.
Tips: Use big holes, especially for high notes. Drill the embouchure
hole so blown edge meets pipe surface at about 45 degree angle. Use
smaller pipe for high pitched flutes and picollos, larger pipe for instruments
that play lower. For oval embouchure holes, use diameter of a circle
with same area in calculations.
Dimensions of Some Common Types of Plastic Pipe in the U.S.
Schedule 40 PVC and Steel Pipe
Nominal Outside Inside Wall
Diameter Diameter Diameter Thickness
1/2" 0.840" 0.622" 0.109"
3/4" 1.050" 0.824" 0.113"
Schedule 80 PVC and Steel Pipe
Nominal Outside Inside Wall
Diameter Diameter Diameter Thickness
1/2" 0.840" 0.546" 0.147"
3/4" 1.050" 0.742" 0.154"
"Copper Tube" Series CPVC Pipe
Nominal Outside Inside Wall
Diameter Diameter Diameter Thickness
1/2" 0.625" 0.469" 0.078"
3/4" 0.875" 0.695" 0.090"
Decimal Equivalents of Some Fractional Drill Sizes
1/32 = 0.03125 9/32 = 0.28125
1/16 = 0.06250 5/16 = 0.31250
3/32 = 0.09375 11/32 = 0.34375
1/8 = 0.12500 3/8 = 0.37500
5/32 = 0.15625 13/32 = 0.40625
3/16 = 0.18750 7/16 = 0.43750
7/32 = 0.21875 15/32 = 0.46875
1/4 = 0.25000 1/2 = 0.50000
Pete's page of successful designs and tips.
Pete's E-mail: ph_kosel@cwo.com