The Native American Flute: Gun Drill Method

This video demonstrates boring a blank for a Native American Flute using a gun drill set-up.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• native;
• american;
• native
• flute;
• gun;
• drill;
• gun
• russ
• wolf;
• flute
• making;
• crafting;
• blank;
• blank

[Nontonio]

Russwolf iwan to knoe how much the machine in this clip? Because i want to make Thai wooden flute. And i want to know the Website or companies produces drill machine. Thank you very much

[RussWolf60]

@Nontonio There is no one who produces a machine like this. There are commercial gun drill machines but they cost many thousands of dollars. My machine uses an inexpensive wood lathe. I replaced the original motor with a different 3 HP motor. I had a machine shop build the tailstock and the carriage. Sterling makes the gun drills. I bought assorted parts from other companies.

[RussWolf60]

Yes,that lathe is from Harbor Freight. It's their better quality wood lathe. Usually goes on sale a couple of times a year.

[tomifobia]

Outstanding, Russ.

[RussWolf60]

If I did the math correctly, I'm running the machine at 1785 rpms. I use this for all bore sizes, however the key to a smooth bore is a slow feed rate. 

[Landotter1]

Pretty slick Russ! Where do you get the gun barrels made? How much are they? How much did this setup cost? What RPM do you turn the blank? I may contact you about this when I get another shop set up. What do you use to turn the blanks after boreing? Thanks in advance, Chris Maddux

[RussWolf60]

@Landotter1 The gun drills are made by Sterling Gun Drills, however there are other companies who make them. The cost was considerable, but I think it can be done for less. When you get ready to put one together give me a call and I'll give you my thoughts about it. I use router mill to round my flutes, but a router jig used in conjunction with a lathe would give equal or better results and be much, much, much cheaper.

[Nontonio]

To Russwolf my friend is a Thai artist and he want to make Thai wooden Flute -Thai flute lenth 20-22 inches and dimeter 1 inch and drill it 5/8 inch . He want to make Thi flutes for education and student. He want to know you paln for machine and he will give you some money for your idea or register. Can you give me a plan for this machine? Let me know Thank you

[richfluteman]

Excellent job Russ! You explain and demonstrate things so clearly. I've always been curious as to how this process was carried out. I've got the drone flute mouthpiece done finally and would like to gift you one. I'll put one in the mail for you in the new year. Take care.

[triumphmanful]

Sure would be nice to have a lathe like yours, but money is tight right now, and the wifey would go ballistic if I went out a bought one, I can dream, can't I ? Did you say harbor Freight has them ?

[THSurvivalGear]

Semper Fi, brother! Great video! thanks for showing us a new way to get it done!

[iaincwil]

Hi! excellent video we use a gun drill for Uilleann pipes but the dia is 9/64" through 18" of ebony and always is perfect

[woodwynn]

thanks Russ ,you gave me some sparks to start a jig ! Andy Wynn NAF group!

[Landotter1]

@RussWolf60 Thanks Russ!!! I'll keep in touch man.... Right now I don't have anywhere to make flutes. In an apt. :-( Anyhoo, I'm working a lot so not so much time anyway!!! Gald to have a job though!!!! Maybe you could show your rounding technique in another video. This video was a top-notch job!!! Great work!