Is it possible to remove rods and screws with heavy rusts?

I bought this student Yamaha flute on eBay; there is no corrosion and finish is great. But it looks like somebody put it back in its case without wiping. Pads are molded and it is impossible to remove most of the rods and screws. One of the screws is shot and will need to be mechanically removed. Of course, seller who claims being a flute repaired failed to mention that and the above As it is, I have a non repairable piece of junk.

If the answer to my question is yes, what is the miracle product and/or tools I need? WD40 wont work.

Dominique

If you are trying to do it yourself you need actual penetrating oil.
Liquid Wrench makes a product called "penetrating oil" there are two versions. A foaming version and a non foaming version. Get the non-foaming version.
This stuff sprays all over so cover everything nearby well.
Then take a screw driver that fits the head of the screw, place in it's proper position and whack it with a hammer. spray and whack, spary and whack.

If the screw head is already damaged don't bother with the penetrating oil. You will need to drill it out. If you have never done this before don't try this on your flute - you will certainly fail and make things worse. You probably place it in a non repairable condition. If you HAVE done this before then get a pin vise one size smaller than the thread size of the screw (not the head size of the screw the thread size) If you do not know the thread size then STOP!!!!! Again, you will cause more damage and make things worse for the professional or again place it in a condition of not being able to repair it at all. If you have done this before and do know the thread size then smooth out the top of the screw, center punch it and drill out the center with your pin vise. Then take a very small punch and cave in the sides of the remaining screw.

Get your rethreaders out and clean and rethread the hole (do not use taps only rethreaders) taps will cause more damamge, re threaders will not. After everything is cleaned and back to proper shape take your new screw that you bought and install the new screw.

Or, take your flute, or mail your flute to the nearest professional flute repair person.

Anymore questions?

JOhnlovemusic,

Thank you for your reply. From your description I have hope that the flute is salvagable, but I might not do it myself. I will have to mail it to a professionnal with all the tools and knowledge. Can you do that? If yes, please PM me.

Alieannie,

SNAD has been filed. Seller did agree to refund if I mail back the flute, but this is a transborder transaction (i am in Canada) so I would end up loosing either way (shipping is expensive, taxes have been paid...). I am learning all aspects of flute repair so this is just an other case for me.

It is very frustrating when you trust an eBay seller (this one sells lots of flutes) who claims to be a professionnal technician, then describes wrongly the instrument. Even an newbie technician can detect rust at first sight. The left hand stack's rod on this flute is so frozen that all the keys don't move independently. So pins will need to be removed too.

This is not as uncommon repair as one would think in the context of a complete repad. We repair techs have the correct tools and resources for doing this type of work. I, like Micron, agree that this flute is probably not a loss.

I do also agree that the flute was misrepresented from the seller and I would first pursue that recourse.

If that fails, the flute can be restored, but there will be substantial additional cost from your description.

Joe B