Made some sweet duck calls

[Eagle19]

One of these is going to the TAMU DU banquet for a raffle, and I'm giving the other to one of my coworkers who has literally taught me just about everything there is for duck hunting. These turned out awesome I think. I used spalted tamarind for the barrels and Burmese Blackwood to make the insert.it kinda sucked because when I got the tamarind black I realized bugs had ate holes all in that thing. So I had to turn the barrel to how I wanted, stick tooth picks in every hole, then sand it down, then pressure test the barrel for no leaks, then dip it in epoxy and let it dry over night. Then I sanded a lot of the epoxy off the next day, pressure tested it again, and it finally worked. Making my own inserts was a pain but I couldn't sleep until I figured it out. Well, I'll never really have figured out. But I've figured out the trouble shooting process!

All in all it was stressful and challenging build, but it's worth it when you hear that perfect quack I've never been able to get out of other calls!

[AJMag]

Nice job. Looks great. I've thought about trying to turn a couple to learn on, but i don't have the time.

[Eagle19]

It's not that bad once you get it down. A walnut barrel I can turn in about 15 minutes. My exotic and acrylic barrels takes about 30-45 minutes and that's because I just take my time and don't want to risk messing up an expensive blank. If you have a good jig you could make an insert in 30 minutes to an hour. I made four inserts and I'd say I have about 4 hours put into each one and that's just because I free hand cut everything and I had no clue what I was doing. I'm saving up to get a custom jig made.

[AJMag]

So you didnt use one of the kits but made the internals too? What kind of jig are you referring to? All my turning experience is with pens, so i dont have a lot of other accessories for my lathe yet

[PorkNation]

nice

[talltexasshoote]

Beautiful.

[Eagle19]

So you didnt use one of the kits but made the internals too? What kind of jig are you referring to? All my turning experience is with pens, so i dont have a lot of other accessories for my lathe yet

No those are custom inserts that I made by hand, you can buy those kits or poly carb insert and have a call made in under an hour.

So for the barrel the hole is 5/8ths. So when you turn your insert you turn the toneboard part to 5/8s and do a taper or bell at the end of the insert. You can buy metal jigs to put the insert that you just turned into and cut with a scroll saw/band saw the shape of the toneboard.

[AJMag]

No those are custom inserts that I made by hand, you can buy those kits or poly carb insert and have a call made in under an hour.

So for the barrel the hole is 5/8ths. So when you turn your insert you turn the toneboard part to 5/8s and do a taper or bell at the end of the insert. You can buy metal jigs to put the insert that you just turned into and cut with a scroll saw/band saw the shape of the toneboard.

Sounds like a learning curve. I need to learn how to use a duck call before i try to make one from scratch. Impressive nonetheless

[dogcatcher]

Nice work, and it is commendable that you have done that without a jig.

I have been a callmaker since 1964, there are 3 ways to get a jig, make a wooden jig or buy yourself one of the flat jigs that are on the market or one of the public jigs. The wood jig is free, all it costs is some scrap and your time. A flat jig will run you $80 plus shipping or the public about a $100 plus shipping. Either way you will have a better starting point and have a consistent cork slot.

This is my mini jig for 1/2" toneboards.


Webfoot flat jig.


Webfoot public jig.

[Eagle19]

Yeah I want to get a solid toneboard down and get wade at webfoot to make me a custom one.

My biggest fight right now is making sure there is enough back pressure and that it's loud enough. I know how to fix the back pressure problem but I don't know how to make it louder with out losing back pressure.

[Fooshman]

Looking good.

[dogcatcher]

Wait a few years for that custom toneboard jig. It is a big investment, and in my opinion it takes a long time to justify. Or when you think you have the perfect sound, and you order that $325 jig, a week later you will make another toneboard that will be better.

[Eagle19]

Wait a few years for that custom toneboard jig. It is a big investment, and in my opinion it takes a long time to justify. Or when you think you have the perfect sound, and you order that $325 jig, a week later you will make another toneboard that will be better.

True, I ordered a crap tone of Burmese Blackwood to make some inserts this week. I want to make several styles for different peoples needs.

[Maverick351]

Great looking calls

[Dusty Britches]

Wow, those are nice. When is the TAMU DU Banquet?