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The document below is a copy of Peter Hoekje's former website, in a version from 2001.
We have modernised the HTML while trying to preserve the original aesthetic.
The original page is saved on archive.org: 11wall-west.com/~ph_kosel/
Pages mirrored here:
├ Homepage
├ Recepes for PVC flutes
├ 6-hole flute fingering
└ Flutomat
Happy reading!

Flutomat Javascript Flute Designer

by Pete Kosel

There are now two versions of the flutomat calculator, this version for 6-hole flutes and another for 8-hole flutes.

Units of measurement:  cm  inches
Pipe Dimensions:
Inside Diameter  Wall Thickness 
hole type frequency  diameter calculated distance
from end of flute
embouchure  --------- 
finger hole 
finger hole 
finger hole 
finger hole 
finger hole 
finger hole 
(end of flute)  --------- 

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