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Tools and Best Techniques Etc. for Making Duck Calls

M

Michael Turner

Joined
Feb 21, 2011
Messages
44
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2
Location
Laurinburg NC
I am trying to figure out what I need to make some duck calls.I havent ever made one.I have been a bowl turner and a flute maker so I have plenty of tools for this type of stuff.

I have sent a few emails to a couple of suppliers but with sort of sketchy replies or I just havent figured out what I need yet..

I was going to start with a mallard double reed call kit.But I need to know do I need a collet ...what size? I guess a mandrel...what is best or easiest one to use? I am just wanting to get the most stuff from one or two places so shipping wont be wasted.

I want to start with a simple wood but will need a piece of cocobolo when i make this one for a friend so I would buy a piece big enough to make several for future use.Im just in thinking mode for now lol. Thanks in advance!
 
CraftSupplies has instructions on most kits and components they sell. I took a quick look, and here is an instruction sheet for one of their duck calls. Remember that the reed you buy will determine the exact internal dimensions. If Phil Robertson can make a million duck calls, any of us can make a duck call!
https://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/docs/JC_Closed_Reed_Game_Call.pdf
 
Michael, there are quite a few videos on YouTube showing various methods to turn Duck Calls. You can drill a hole matching the correct dimension you need for the reed kit and insert that goes into the barrel and then mount the barrel on a mandrel between centers. You can also start off with the wood blank mounted in an adjustable chuck to round the barrel and drill the insert hole while it is centered in the chuck with a drill mounted in the tailstock. You can make a mandrel pretty easy out of metal round stock or a wood dowel if you have nothing else to work with.
 
Michael, if the duck call barrel fits loosely on your mandrel, you can wrap some masking tape on the mandrel to increase the diameter
and "jam" the barrel onto the mandrel. You could also hot glue the barrel onto a mandrel and then use a heat gun to heat the mandrel
and release the barrel later on. You could also use a threaded mandrel and tighten a nut and washer against the wood barrel.
 
Mike Johnson said:
Michael, if the duck call barrel fits loosely on your mandrel, you can wrap some masking tape on the mandrel to increase the diameter
and "jam" the barrel onto the mandrel. You could also hot glue the barrel onto a mandrel and then use a heat gun to heat the mandrel
and release the barrel later on. You could also use a threaded mandrel and tighten a nut and washer against the wood barrel.
Click to expand...
Mike Johnson said:
Michael, if the duck call barrel fits loosely on your mandrel, you can wrap some masking tape on the mandrel to increase the diameter
and "jam" the barrel onto the mandrel. You could also hot glue the barrel onto a mandrel and then use a heat gun to heat the mandrel
and release the barrel later on. You could also use a threaded mandrel and tighten a nut and washer against the wood barrel.
Click to expand...
Thanks Mike
 
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