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#1 2007-01-23 16:22:56
Shaved roots
How is this accomplished? In my limited flute-making experience, I have rasped, filed, and sanded roots down to what I think should be the final root length/depth for a flute and then polished/stained/urushi'ed them a bit. Sometimes I use cyanoacrylate (super glue) to keep the root nubs from splintering as they are filed or sanded.
Exploring another aesthetic though... If I wanted to shave roots down very close or off completely, what tool is best to use? "Shaving" implies maybe a plane or specialized tool? Or just keep sanding or filing? Is there a point where you are actually removing material below the skin level of the bamboo?
Looking at finished flutes that have upper root rings shaved completely off, it's hard for me to tell if the skin of the surrounding area was also shaved off. Perhaps that is done and then the whole area is just polished (rottenstone, etc.) smooth across the transition. Is this what I'm seeing?
So many questions. I understand that some of this might be a trade secret and vary from maker to maker but thanks for listening anyways.
-Darren.
When it is rainy, I am in the rain. When it is windy, I am in the wind. - Mitsuo Aida
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#2 2007-01-23 17:51:36
Re: Shaved roots
Darren,
Are you thinking of something like this:
If so, this is how I do it:
I like to use a slightly curved file to grind away the rings. Sometimes the flare can be exaggerated by grinding below skin level and sculpting the slope. (You can see where the skin has been filed through in the photos above) Once the shape looks good, I use thin strips of sandpaper (about 3/4" x 8") to sand around the root in a 'shoeshine' style. (always against the grain) 
You can see the slight curve of the file here. The curve really helps to shape the curve of the bell.
Hope this helps.
KL
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#3 2007-01-23 18:44:02
Re: Shaved roots
Ken, yes this is exactly what I was wondering about.
Thank you for clarifying. Beautiful root section, great photos This place is great. Thank you!
-Darren.
When it is rainy, I am in the rain. When it is windy, I am in the wind. - Mitsuo Aida
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#4 2007-01-23 20:22:13
- edosan
- Edomologist
- From: Salt Lake City
- Registered: 2005-10-09
- Posts: 2185
Re: Shaved roots
I have posted this elsewhere on the forum, but it's illustrative here.
The flute was made by Perry Yung (2.8-G), and the root shaping was done by Kinya Sogawa.
Besides being elegant, the ultimate effect is to make the flute appear to have seven nodes:
eB
Zen is not easy.
It takes effort to attain nothingness.
And then what do you have?
Bupkes.
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#5 2007-02-05 11:53:57
- evan kubota
- Member
- Registered: 2006-04-10
- Posts: 136
Re: Shaved roots
Ken: the example looks really nice. Did you polish the rest of the surface (not just the 'shaved' area), and if so, what technique did you use?
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#6 2007-02-05 12:19:53
Re: Shaved roots
evan kubota wrote:
Ken: the example looks really nice. Did you polish the rest of the surface (not just the 'shaved' area), and if so, what technique did you use?
Evan,
The whole flute was rubbed with rottenstone and a little walnut oil. Then buffed with a clean cloth. If you keep repeating the steps, it gets glossy. Sometimes I like the glossy look. Sometimes I like a more flat, unadorned look.
Ken
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