Tools: 

• Drill

• 1 x 5.5mm drill bit

• Scissors 

• Stanley knife

• Ruler

 

Materials 

• 1 x 508mm length poly pipe (13mm diameter) 

• 1 x 30mm length poly pipe (13mm diameter) 

• 1 x 15mm dowel (13mm diameter) 

• Hot water

• Painter’s tape (optional) 

• Decoration (optional) 

 

Steps: 

1. Run painter’s tape along the length of the of the 508mm poly pipe.

2. Measure 63mm from the top, down the length of the poly pipe and mark with a pencil. 

3. From the previous marking, measure 30mm down the length of the poly pipe and mark with a pencil. 

4. Drill two holes on the inside of the two markings. The holes should just touch the marking lines. 

5. Remove the tape around the two holes (leave the tape on the rest of the poly pipe). 

6. Put the top side of the poly pipe in hot water and leave it there for about 1 minute. 

7. Take the poly pipe out of the hot water and onto a cutting surface. 

8. Take the Stanley knife and carve out the space between the two holes. 

9. While the poly pipe is still warm, use the Stanley knife to carve slightly angled and tapered ending to the fipple. The shape of this should be similar to the shape of the angled hole in a recorder. 

10. Take the dowel and push it down the top of the poly pipe until it is centred in the middle of the fipple. 

11. In line with the fipple, measure the placement of the finger holes (measuring from the bottom up). Mark each measurement with a pencil. Please refer to the diagram for the individual measurements (click on the PDF icon to download a high-resolution version). 

12. Use the drill to drill each of the finger holes. 

13. Take the 30mm poly pipe and cut a strip out of it using scissors. 

14. Clip the 30mm poly pipe onto the 508mm poly pipe, and slide it until it reaches the bottom edge of the dowel. This creates a cover for the air to flow through and make the sound. 

15. Decorate your flute however you wish (make sure not to cover any holes). 

 

Please note, for many of these steps the poly pipe needs to be secured to the working bench. This video was filmed during Covid19 and we did not have access to all the necessary equipment. The poly pipe needs to be secured in order for this to be safe for student use (particular for the Stanley knife step). Please visit our page on safety for further information. 

 

Budget: 

• Poly pipe - AUD$2.27/ 1m

• Dowel - AUD$11.42/ 1m

• Painter’s tape - AUD$6.48 

 

These prices are based off products which can be bought new from a hard ware store. The Maker Movement encourages reusing and recycling older materials to reduce your impact on the environment and it is also a good way to reduce costs. A great place to visit in Sydney is Reverse Garbage and also ask your parent body and local community.