New Call Maker

[Mike Sawdust]

Hi, I am not a hunter and I have never made any sort of call before.  I am a hobbyist woodturner.

A friend who is a hunter and has done many favors for me mentioned something about turning a turkey pot call and said I should give it a try.  I think he would like it if I turned a call or two for him and I am planning to do just that.

I have found some basic tutorials on how to turn pot calls and I think I can do it.

However I have questions that I have not been able to find answers for:

For instance, do you finish the inside and outside of a call?

Is a shiny finish preferred or something more along a satin finish?

I have various hardwoods from which I plan to turn some calls- cocobolo, bocote, walnut, cherry, fiddleback maple, birdseye maple, ambrosia maple, teak, and some other exotics I have in my inventory.  Are there woods that should be avoided?

Any pitfalls of turning a pot call of which I should be aware?

Same goes for strikers- I have lots of different woods and I know from reading that the last inch or so should be left unfinished.  Any other dos or don'ts that I should be on the lookout for?

Thanks for any help you can provide.  I know nothing and I am not afraid to admit it so set me straight.

[Nsselle]

Welcome! You should have no problem getting a little advice to get you started in the right direction

[Shadetree Callers]

Mike , do not finish the inside of the call . all of those woods will work good . avoid soft woods . The finish is personal preference of the hunter. Just be careful , sometimes they fly apart on the lathe .

[Mmcdonald]

 

[B-Ready]

The internals are a very important.... Strikers make a big difference also... Good luck making your calls... Please post your results when completed. We'd love to see them!

[Mike Sawdust]

Thank you for the advice guys.  After seeing some of the beautiful calls on here I know I have my work cut out for me if I am to post anything comparable. 

I am looking forward to the new adventure in turning.

Thanks again.

[GR8CALLS]

 There is a bunch to consider. Weight of pot, thickness of pot bottom,  height of sound board, whether to weight the surface down or float it in.....just to name a few. Then as mentioned, striker materials. I'm just learning all this myself (almost a year)! 

Bill