Giving call making a go again

[bowmike]

Well talking with some call makers and seeing the works of art they are putting out put me in the mood to try my hand again at call making. I decide last night after getting a picture from Mike Lapp of a down right killer call that I needed to just suck it up and get out in the shed for a little bit.

I was given a few cedar blanks from a call maker in Georgie by the name of Jeff Lacey, and a few other lids, and bases from Mike. I went out and decided to give a go at the cedar blanks since they are already cut at the angles.  I laid out the over all dimensions of what I wanted to turn the call into and such, and gave checkering another go. Realized quick that I needed to sharpen the chisels but at 11:30 at night didn't want to hit the grinder.

Well after the chiseling was done, I was feeling pretty decent about it. I took my time and it turned out decent for me anyway. lol. I then hit the drill press and took out the inside.

I finished up the night by taking out some of the tool marks, but decided tht 1:15 am was enough.

Here are some pics of what I ended up with.

Lots of work to do until I can get to an actual turkey call but just felt good to get out in the shop for a little while. It is one of my main turkey hunting goals to kill a bird with a call I made myself. Might not be this one but hopefully I can get one wrapped up by fall that will sound decent.













Nothing beautiful, and mainly just trying it out. Hoping to get the curve put on, the spring and screw pilot done, and base and inlays glued in the lid. by the weekend. If I can get more than that done I will be happy but rushing is just not what you want to do with this.

I have some of the best call makers in the country willing to help me, and I would have to be a fool not to try. It all boils down to time, and if you are willing to put it in to get what you want.

I still have a brand new table saw un opened yet from Christmas that I may crack into here shortly. I hope maybe one day I can consider myself a call maker. Right now that is not the case, but hope I can find the time to put in and join the ranks of so many of my friends.

Thanks for the read,

Mike

[Mmcdonald]

  Good luck!!

[Silverspur]

Good luck Mike

[bowmike]

Thanks guys. I have a lot of drive to do this, just tough to find the time. 

Gotta mix in my fly tying business, work, and the kids. LOL might take me a while, but Ill stick to it.

[BluMtnGobbler]

Looking good Mike. Keep at it but it does become a crazy addiction.

[B-Ready]

Your well on your way.... Keep at it! FYI Cedar can give you fits on a body (at least thats my experience) Cedar makes good lids .... May i suggest first trying butternut or poplar for your bodies.... There much more forgiving and easier to work with and tune. To my ear they also produce a better turkey call JMO..... Make'm sing!! Best of luck!

[bowmike]

Thanks B-Ready. I was given 4 cedar blanks so that is what I am going to start with. I want to pick up some poplar and butternut though.

Right now its kind of getting used to the tooling, setting up angles and such. I have no real wood working experience and such so to speak so its all new.

I will keep you guys posted on how I make out. I think after this one though I'm going to focus on practicing different aspects of it.

Setting up the angles on the table saw, cutting on my bandsaw, things like that. I really wanted to make a call for fall to try and kill a bird, but I don't want to develop bad habits.