Any duck call makers on here?

[Eagle19]

So I've been getting into duck hunting the past few years and I'm always looking for ways to support my hobbies and make some extra cash.

Long story short I've always wanted to make my own calls but never thought I would be able to justify buying my own lathe. Recently a guy added me on Facebook and he makes 3 or 4 day and auctions them off on Facebook. He makes about $150-$200 a day. Which seems pretty good when you realize it only takes 20-30 minutes to make a call. I like the way he auctions them off and it really got me thinking. I have a hunting and fishing Instagram account with 22K followers that something like this would be hot and sell.(My wife markets for a boutique on Instagram and they do something similar like this.) I offered to market his calls and set up an Instagram and help do his marketing for a free duck call but he didn't seem interested.

So this really has me thinking I should just do this myself. So I've acquired a few questions that I would need some call makers opinions on.

Would a harbor freight wood lathe be ok to start on?
How long did it take you to become a good call maker?
How much does it cost in supplies per call?

[gander]

Pm simsknives on here. He makes some beautiful calls out of all types of material. I dont think it is as easy as it seems though. Good luck!

[OleTomTalker]

So I've been getting into duck hunting the past few years and I'm always looking for ways to support my hobbies and make some extra cash.

Long story short I've always wanted to make my own calls but never thought I would be able to justify buying my own lathe. Recently a guy added me on Facebook and he makes 3 or 4 day and auctions them off on Facebook. He makes about $150-$200 a day. Which seems pretty good when you realize it only takes 20-30 minutes to make a call. I like the way he auctions them off and it really got me thinking. I have a hunting and fishing Instagram account with 22K followers that something like this would be hot and sell.(My wife markets for a boutique on Instagram and they do something similar like this.) I offered to market his calls and set up an Instagram and help do his marketing for a free duck call but he didn't seem interested.

So this really has me thinking I should just do this myself. So I've acquired a few questions that I would need some call makers opinions on.

Would a harbor freight wood lathe be ok to start on?
How long did it take you to become a good call maker?
How much does it cost in supplies per call?

Been many years since I've made any calls but I can answer a lil.

Would a harbor freight wood lathe be ok to start on?
They're decent. As long as your wood blanks are already cut close to the size of call. If you do it much, you will really wish you had bought a Jet or something equivalent.

As for as your other questions go. Are you making the call from scratch? Not all parts in a call are made completely on lathe. Especially the sound board. You also need either a scroll saw or band saw at minimum. Some guys make a jig and also use table saw. One of my old hunting buddies made acrylic calls so I would just turn blow tubes out of Walnut that looked really good to fit his call.

[Eagle19]

Pm simsknives on here. He makes some beautiful calls out of all types of material. I dont think it is as easy as it seems though. Good luck!

Thanks! I have some carpentry experience and I figured worst case scenario I might be able to at least make enough to pay for the machine and call it a quits! We'll see!

[Eagle19]

Been many years since I've made any calls but I can answer a lil.

Would a harbor freight wood lathe be ok to start on?
They're decent. As long as your wood blanks are already cut close to the size of call. If you do it much, you will really wish you had bought a Jet or something equivalent.

As for as your other questions go. Are you making the call from scratch? Not all parts in a call are made completely on lathe. Especially the sound board. You also need either a scroll saw or band saw at minimum. Some guys make a jig and also use table saw. One of my old hunting buddies made acrylic calls so I would just turn blow tubes out of Walnut that looked really good to fit his call.

Yes I have a scroll saw and I would make some sort of jig! However, to start out I may have to buy some inserts just until I can figure out how to make a good tone board. And I would have to buy the metal bands separately too.

[Txsurveyor2014]

I have the perfect lathe for you, for sale in the classifieds, or PM me if interested!

[TxAgHntr]

Any duck call makers on here?

I have been making calls for a few years. I would recommend a Jet mini lathe...cost of materials if you buy a ready to turn kit is 10-15 typically. You can get it for about half that if you drill your own blanks and depending on which type of insert you buy. I can speak for cost of making your own tone board and all.

Very fun, they sound pretty darn good and last but not least they look good!

[Low Fence]

I make 100% custom calls. And what most "make" is a barrel and stuff it with a $5 poly insert. I promise you can't make a tone board in 20-30 min.

My bois d arc calls all hand made and banded take me from start to finish about an he not counting polishing. And sell for $45... And they have been blown in competition in 4 states.

My higher end calls take most of a day to make and sell for $200-$300

99% of what I see sold as "custom calls " are a barrel that takes 10 min to make stuffed with a poly insert and an asking price of $80-$100. I can drill a 5/8" hole in a 2x4 and stuff with same insert and make the same sound.

Took me years to design a profile on a tone board that I was happy to put my name with. It's a learning process that I wouldn't trade for anything. Lots of fails to get where my calls are now.

Single reed Arkansas style. I had some pics in dyi a while back. "From scrap wood to killing machines" I think was the title

[Eagle19]

I have been making calls for a few years. I would recommend a Jet mini lathe...cost of materials if you buy a ready to turn kit is 10-15 typically. You can get it for about half that if you drill your own blanks and depending on which type of insert you buy. I can speak for cost of making your own tone board and all.

Very fun, they sound pretty darn good and last but not least they look good!

Ok let me ask you this. A jet lathe is roughly $500 and the harbor freight is like $150(I'd have a 20% coupon I'd use and get it cheaper). Other than quality of the metal what would be the main difference do you think? I could buy a harbor freight 2 year warranty and walk out the door for probably $150.

Here are the HF lathe specs:
750-3200 RPM variable speed for precise control
1/3 HP motor
Comes with #1 Morse taper head and tail stock
2 in. and 6 in. face plates, 4 in. and 7 in. tool rests

I'm not dead set on the HF one but, $150 would just make me feel better if it doesn't work out like I hope!

[TxAgHntr]

The HF might suit your needs just fine, I can't speak to the quality of it. I know Jet to be quality so I recommended it.

If I were to assume...maybe the components are better made...this is an assumption and could be completely wrong.

[Eagle19]

The HF might suit your needs just fine, I can't speak to the quality of it. I know Jet to be quality so I recommended it.

If I were to assume...maybe the components are better made...this is an assumption and could be completely wrong.

With HF I've noticed the metal is crappy on there machine tools. However, I've also learned you can buy a two year warranty no questions asked return policy on them. HF seems like hit or miss, some stuff is awesome and some just break fast. But I figure $20 for a two year warranty and if I really get into it I could just upgrade to the jet one. And sell the HF for almost what I got it for.

Or maybe I could find a used jet for like $250. That way it's the best of both worlds.

[TxAgHntr]

All valid points. I am one to wait and pay for quality, but at the same time I am one to buy what I can afford. Either way I am sure it will work out for you

[OleTomTalker]

Harbor freight lathes are hard to get accessories for. I was looking for a chuck for mine and it was an odd thread and I couldn't use ones that would fit Jet's etc.. Not sure if still the case but I bet it is.

[Eagle19]

That's a pretty good point!

[ultralite09]

I make 100% custom calls. And what most "make" is a barrel and stuff it with a $5 poly insert. I promise you can't make a tone board in 20-30 min.

My bois d arc calls all hand made and banded take me from start to finish about an he not counting polishing. And sell for $45... And they have been blown in competition in 4 states.

My higher end calls take most of a day to make and sell for $200-$300

99% of what I see sold as "custom calls " are a barrel that takes 10 min to make stuffed with a poly insert and an asking price of $80-$100. I can drill a 5/8" hole in a 2x4 and stuff with same insert and make the same sound.

Took me years to design a profile on a tone board that I was happy to put my name with. It's a learning process that I wouldn't trade for anything. Lots of fails to get where my calls are now.

Single reed Arkansas style. I had some pics in dyi a while back. "From scrap wood to killing machines" I think was the title

This.... good lord I can't stand people that call themselves custom call makers and all they do is turn a barrel and stuff an echo insert in it.