.......or settle in for a long evening with a very small screwdriver, lots of patience and a steaming kettle! I went into the music shop in Exeter about seven years ago to enquire about having mine (silver plated Rudall Carte)repadded and was quoted 95 pounds, after picking myself up off the floor I asked how much were the pads, answer 5 pounds. No contest. I did it, some swearing was involved and at one time I thought I'd never get all those bits back in the right places - there are rather a lot and the parts don't resemble the whole in the slightest! I've done it a couple times more now - whenever the poor thing's had too much beer to drink (the flute not me though the two are probably related). Re. buying one, I'd say borrow one for a bit first, learn how to make a decent sound then you'll know what you're looking for when you try them. I had the greatest difficulty with my first saxophone, managed it OK but then tried a lovely Yamaha and it was like blowing a recorder in comparison!
Those fiddly blowing techniques come with practice & dexterity, don't try to force it, just keep playing and enjoying.
Jo
The kettle? Apart from the means of making copious cups of coffee, it's for bedding in the pads, works wonders even if you haven't replaced them!