Ressikan Flute

In the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Inner Light" Captain Jean-Luc Picard lives twenty some years of another man's life in the space of twenty minutes.  The alien probe that gave him those memories deactivates and upon opening it the crew finds a simple flute, the one that long dead man had once owned.  Captain Picard would cherish it for the rest of his life as the only link to that forgotten past.

That episode is a fan favorite and the flute would appear in a number of subsequent episodes.  When TNG ended and many of the props auctioned off the on screen flute was one of the most desired.  The original prop didn't play, in fact it was almost solid aluminum.  Patrick Stewart did learn to play the penny whistle for the episode, but was faking the motions while listening to a prerecord of another man playing the piece.

"The Inner Light" is my father's favorite episode of TNG, his favorite TV show.  So for Christmas this year I decided to make him a replica of the flute, with one twist: this one plays.  It isn't a perfect replica, but it captures the look and feel nicely while still managing to be a functional penny whistle.

Step 1 Last Chance to Back Out

A word of warning before we begin.  I am a student at a technical college and have access to a full machine shop and dig through the scrap shed.  All I used were an end mill, a lathe, a band saw, and a grind wheel; but if you don't have access to metal working machines this isn't going to work for you.

There is another option, however.  You can simply buy a penny whistle and make a few changes.  Repaint the body copper/gold to get the brass look, glue an aluminum tube over the neck, and attach some washers over the holes.  Add the tassel and you're done! 
I claim no credit for this design, you can thank the replica prop forums:
http://www.therpf.com/f9/ressikan-flute-52858/

If you're sticking with me then we'll get on with it.

Comments

[dimestorefind]

Good instructable, great episode, excellent show! I only wish you had more pictures of the build process, or at least one of your final product.

[Lt. Rooney]

Sorry, I couldn't find my camera until well after I gave my dad the flute so now I that I could take picture I have nothing to take them of.

[NaturalCrafter]

I liked the glimpse back to the Trek episode, but wish you showed more of the process of making the flute. I always wondered, being a fan of said show that was the reason behind my purchase of a penny flute and an instructional CD to go with it. Many hours of fun and relaxation.

[lemonie]

Have you got any pictures of the one you made?
This seems to point to other people's stuff.

L