This video is how I make turkey calls. Its a pot style call using slate as the friction surface. I tried to give as many details as I think is needed to make one. If you have any questions about how the process please ask.
Just seeing your video -Every time I see pecan I think of my Grandmother - would love to get one of your calls - I am in NE Florida as well - let me know. if I can put an order for one. Thank you and this is an awesome video!
Questions from a fellow wood turner trying to figure out how to make turkey calls. I haven't done one so explain as much as possible, Barney style if need be. 1. Roughly, how wide is the final call? What is the width of your marking template disk? 2. Why do you use the quarter one top? Is it to hide the worm screw hole? Can you use a decorative piece of wood instead of a quarter? 3. The 5/16" holes, are those basically centered between the outside rim and center hole? 4. Where does one get slate from for calls? How thick is that slate insert? 5. The finale depth of the call, is 7/8" your rough estimate or an accurate point to hit for the echo? 6. Is not using a sounding better or more of a preference thing? How big and thick would a sounding board need to be? 7. Why do you use 3/8" ish for the top thickness rather than thinner or thicker? Sorry if these seems like a lot of questions, I seek to understand everything about projects. Knowing the small details allows me to make a better finished product.
Thanks for the questions. I'll answer in the same order. 1. The call usually is around 3 3/4" in diameter. The template is 4 1/8" 2. Yes, it covers the hole. The 2015 Louisiana quarter has a turkey on the back. I use that one if i have it. Anything can be used. 3. The holes are 1 3/8" out from the center 4. I use grassy creek game calls for most of my supplies. The slate is .080 thick 5. It's what I shoot for. 6. The sounding board is a preference thing. I usually use a 3" diameter piece of glass when I put one in. 7. 3/8" is just my target. Mostly, if you were to put a tape to my calls, you'll find that they all vary slightly dimensions. The sizes I mentioned are just target sizes. The sounds produced will vary. I find the sounds produced mean more to the caller than the turkey. I've made some weird sounding calls, to me, but the turkeys are still responding to them.
Love your video sir, I’m a young call maker and make friction calls like you do; if you make box calls or scratch boxes can you make a how to video on those to please?
I am looking into starting to make my own pot calls. Could you make a video showcasing the chuck you use on the lathe and also the tools you use like the name of each hand tool you used
I like to start with a blank that's appropriate 4.25"x4.25"x1.25" wide. That gives plenty of room margin for flattening. Finished it's around 7/8" thick. The slate is 3.5" wide.
