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Re: Face Plate A 4 or three jaw chuck rather than a face plate.
Thats my idea
Wade
Re: Face Plate "I'm with Wade on this one.  I'm not sure the reason for the faceplate, but if you're wanting to be safe I would still recommend the 3 or 4 jaw chuck.  I had a mini lathe that I started on and it came with a 3" or so face plate and I could work 2x2.  1.5x1.5 if I turned it diagonally, but the screws were in the tips of the wood and would often chip out or come loose during turning.  Not very safe.  

If cash is an issue, take a piece of scrap wood and turn between centers to make a mandrel.  Then you can use the wooden mandrel once you have your duck call blanks drilled for the barrel.  Little trickier when turning the inserts." Re: Face Plate "OK, so what chuck system do you recommend?" Re: Face Plate I know that Wade makes/sells his own chucks on his website:

[url]http://www.webfootcustomcalls.com/tools/chucks_and_lathe_accesories.html[/url]

I use the standard Nova chuck.  I found it on sale at KMS tools for $90 and I bought it sinc Re: Face Plate The Novas are scroll jaw correct? Re: Face Plate "Mine is!  The supernova actually looks as if it would be easier to tighten, but couldn't afford it at the time.  Have been very happy with the regular nova so far." Re: Face Plate "As you can see in the "tutorial" pictures, I used to use a faceplate to turn my inserts.  I upgraded my equipment about a year ago and have been extremely happy with my current setup.  I now use a 4 jaw chuck to hold the insert blank as well as the barrel mandrel.

I have a Nova Compac chuck which is a little smaller than a regular nova.  If I had seen a regular nova for 99 bucks I would have gotten it though.  The regular nova has a lot more jaws available.

I have seen smaller faceplates at woodcraft.com or maybe woodturnerscatalog.com  

If you can't find what you want, it should be easy for a machinist to make one for you.  It might end up being as expensive as a chuck in the end though." new reed materials??? "Hey guys, Ive been playing around with some X-rays from work and guess what? I can make a honk and a quack with them in a few of my calls. I took apart one of my old Olt duck and goose calls and traced out the reed on the x-ray and cut it out and used it for the reed. It sounded OK(I guess) I was wondering if some of you PROS out there would like to try your hand at it? I would send you a sample if you send me your address. I would just like to see if it works all it will cost you is a E-mail. If it it works it will save all of us a LOT of money!
          I went to the park today while my wife was teaching and saw at least 5 Canada Geese with bands and neck collars
:'( :'( of course they will never fly over my blind >:( Oh Well what else is new in my life. " Re: new reed materials??? "Im game!  Shoot some my way, just hit my website for the address, and if you want some mulla for postage.
Thanks
Wade
" Re: new reed materials??? "Alright, I sent you an email.  I'm up for the test.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained.  If nothing else, maybe the x-ray will show me the problems with my calls. ;D" Re: new reed materials??? "Wade, Duju,
     They are on their way to you as we speak! Any other takers? ??? this should be fun I make turkey yelpers from chest tubes(new not used!) when Im at work. Im allways on the look out for things to make calls with. hmm maybe I need to find something else to do at work?  ;D ;D but hey when im at work all I think about is hunting/shooting." Re: new reed materials??? "Heck I'll give it a try, shoot me some
JarrodHambric
1306 Military road
Benton, AR 72015" Re: new reed materials??? "Hey, you get any of that good corrogated plastic tubing that looks like a culvert?  I was thinking if it were tough enough and had the right diameter, would be interesting to put a call in one end to see what id did to ths sound.

Just a thunk  -  er that was my head -  I mean just a thought.
Wade
" Re: new reed materials??? "Wade,
         Yes I do have some of that tubing (like on elk calls?) I dont work again till sat. so it would be monday before I got it off to you. Ill look around for several different sizes for you OK. I once made a tube yelper from a vein graft I never used it is one I still use to this day. Now that I think about it half my call stuff is things Ive saved from the trash at work!  Did Y'all know you can make fine turkey calls from Petri dishes and toungue depressers? 8) Jughead your stuff is on the way! 8)  ;D" Re: new reed materials??? "Careful, don't let anybody catch you digging around the sharps or the biohazards bins.  ;)" Re: new reed materials??? "Id be lookling for something in the 5/8" ID range, a bit smaller or biggeris okay too.  But not a whole lot for what I wnat to try
Wade
" Re: new reed materials??? "Flatlander,
      Sorry I just now noticed your message for me, I owe you one OK! The reeds are in the mail box and the corrogated tubing will be sent monday. Im the trauma guy on the weekends where I "find" interesting things. " Field calls.... "As season has started for some already, and others are anxiously awaiting....   I want to know if there really is such a thing as the ultimate one call that does everything for you in the blind?

I know that I typically carry at least two calls and maybe three into the field.  One for backup just in case, and the other two generally have a specialty that I like to use rather than just "make do" or "settle" with the limitations of one call.  Is this true for everyone?  Or does the ultimate call really exist? :-/

Not asking for brands of calls, just whether or not you use more than one.

" Re: Field calls.... "I usually have a couple on my lanyard - #21 and whatever my latest creation is.  I'll experiment with the latest creation, but I only hunt with #21.  I also have a Primo's specklebelly goose call and a pintail/mallard drake whistle on my lanyard.

This year, I'll be field testing an acrylic impregnated burl.  It looks and sounds awesome, but I don't have any idea how it will hold up in the field." Re: Field calls.... "Oh yes its possible... if you have one of MY calls!  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA  Im such a funny guy.
I have the one call I take out and sometimes have a second as a backup incase I slam it in a car door or something stupid, (almost did it a few weeks ago)  I would have... :'(

I think there is such a thing, but it will have to be a good call and youll have to be very familiar with it.  But you will run into things that you might not be best suited for.  My call is loud and get really quite, but it aint so loud to pull em out of the next state. (though I try with my sisters old cheerleading megaphone covered in camo paint).

I bet Jasons are that good too!

Have a great one, Im pumped for this weekend!!
Wade
" Re: Field calls.... "I carry a ton of calls, but the oone on the Lanyaardss is mY first call, cocabola, and and RNT short barrel.  Mine is louder than the sb, but I love my rnt, its the brand I started on, and have since kept" Re: Field calls.... "I have two different lanyards that I carry depending on where I hunt.
1. fields and open water- My acrylic single open watercall,  My blackwood midrange, and a Echo Osage timber call (the first call I ever owned)

2. timber and soughs- My cocobolo timber, My acrylic double reed mid range.

Thats the trouble with being a call maker you can have as many as you want." Re: Field calls.... "AMEN BUCK!!
I finally got so tired of carrying 30 calls around I just picke dthe best one that did it all, and stuck with it, mad a second like ot of different wood and its my back up.  Man, its a DISEASE!!! and i aint looking for no cure!!
Wade
TWO MORE DAYS!!!!!   AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!! I cant take it!!  the suspense is killing me!
*woof*  oh, Gunner says Hi too.

Wade and Gunner out-
of their minds......
" Re: Field calls.... "Only thing I havent got a call to do yet is both a duck and a goose call from the same call without any changing.  Ive tried and tried.  Closest I got was to stuff a duck in one end and then a goose in the other, but the goose is big enough that its butt sticks out, and thats the last thing Im gonna blow on in the blind.   ;D :D :o 8)ha Im a funny guy, I have to quit this or Ill crack my self up and have to go home and scout for ducks.  Damn I love my job, I just hate my boss.  
Wade
" duplicator "arkbuck, wade said you have a  duplicator, i bought a vega midi, moumted on a jet mini lathe
having trouble adjusting cutter to depth, any ideas,  using
a hand turned keg with no hole drilled as pattern." Re: duplicator Ok here we go......

Take your keg mount it on the duplicator. Loosen the mounting brackets on the bed of the lathe.  Adjust the brackets with the cutter fully extended until it comes to approximately 1/2" from the mandrel.  make sure Re: duplicator "thank arkbuck, when i get home tonight i'll give it a try, let you know, how it works. ps. what is your web address." Re: duplicator outlawgamecalls.com Need help on getting my own website. "I know a couple of you guys are computer experts so I thought I would ask on this site for help, cause I'm clueless on how to do soo. I know very little about computers except how to get around on the internet. I would like to get a website going. It doesnt have to but anything too complicated. I need one that I can show my calls and pricing for them. How much should I expect to pay for one to get designed? How much are monthly fees on keeping one running. How do I go about getting one made. Thanks for any and all help in advance." Re: Need help on getting my own website. "There is a lot involved, but the extravagant things are what get expensive.
I make webpages so I might be able to help you.. to a certain degree.

You are going to have to pay to register your domain name  Prices vary Ive seen anywhere from " Re: Need help on getting my own website. "Wade_C is right there is a lot involved, Since you are just getting started let me suggest doing as I did and take a weekend and learn how to write in HTML code. There are several good online how to pages that will tell you step by step what you need to do. I don't know what server you use for me on AOL I have free web space to use. No, I don't have my own domain name as of yet. Yes, a domain name is great but you do not need it right away to get started. I have found that writing the codes my self defiantly saved an extra cost of a program that can be spent on something else.  

If you have any questions PM or e-mail me and I will help as much as I can

" What's happening? I had to go to Wally World (Wal-Mart) this past weekend and pickup some decoy weights.  While I was there I looked over the duck call selection.  In our Wal-Mart I think I saw one wood call by Big River or something like that.  The poly car Re: What's happening? "Guys,
       After reading this about call prices I thought about how it applies to everything else hunting.  :'( >:( Maybe Im old fasioned but as a kid hunting was an inexpensive past time. (Im 37) All I needed was my gun " Reed observation... "I recently got to look at a name brand acrylic call (name withheld) and I noticed that the readseat was cut with a slight angle as to cause the reed to gently angle away from the toneboard.  This is an Arkansas style call.

Even with the reedseat angle slightly upward, the call still blows exceptionally well.  I wonder how this is?  Seems like too much air would get under the reed, but it doesn't.  

I can only guess that the more gradual radius supports the reedseat angle.  Any thoughts?" Lathe speed "This is more of a curiosity question than anything.  I was just curious what speeds you guys set your lathes at when turning and sanding your calls.

By the way, even though I rarely post, I have learned a great deal from all of you.  Heck, I've even made a few calls that even QUACK!  Now,to make them better............" Re: Lathe speed "Mike,

I'm not certain I ever look at the actual speed.  I use a feel test.  When turning wood, I want the wood to turn just fast enough to keep the chisel from chattering.  Experiment with your speeds and you will find that "feeling".  In fact, when turning an insert, I personally speed up the lathe when forming the portion of the insert that fits into the barrel.  Usually this portion is quite a bit smaller than the rest of the insert and must turn faster to make a cleaner/smoother cut.

When sanding, I turn slowly as to avoid as much heat as possible.  In my experience, too much heat on a wood call can also be a bad thing for my calls.  Especially if you are working with woods that burn easily.

Just my opinion." "Ducks 1, Quonk 0" "Opened MO season last weekend with my son.  Sat in swamp muck under a canopy of drizzle for two days and didn't pop a cap.  Got to disassemble/reassemble my gun twice, call a towing service to unstuck my truck, lost part of a prop on a stump, and tore a new hole in waders.   All this misery and we had maybe 4-5 ducks work the decoys.  Loved every minute of it.

How's everyone else's season going so far??" "Re: Ducks 1, Quonk 0" Sounds like a great opening day - or at least a typical one.  ;D "Re: Ducks 1, Quonk 0" "Wanna come visit me?  I got skunked too, but we dont have any stumps in our lake to loose a prop on or catch waders.  Plus itll be a good excurse for me to get the boat out for the first time. ;-)  Or we can get up at 1:00AM and try and beat the bastards that have beat me to my favorite spot EVERYTIME this second season.  I was there at 4:30 this last weekend and was still beat!

Wade
" The world has gone to hell around me!!!!!!!!!!!!! "THEY QUIT PUMPING INTO MY DUCK HUNTING PONDS!!!!   AAAHHH!!!!  Now I have to hunt the lake, which is a bit more of a pain in the butt.  But I guess I needed some motivation to get the boat rolling and ready.  I just wantoed to tell you guys that I am sort of screwed for duck hunting now unless the boat thing goes well.  Oh and I know this belongs on a different post, but it fits here cause since the ducks wont be at the ponds, I'll have to "CALL" them at the lake  HAHAHAha, I need to lay off the quack.....

Have fun and Im off to go drwon my sorrows in my beer, or maybe just in the boat, I dunno yet.

Wade
" hurt at work "hey guys,
          I promised a few of Ya'all some corregated plastic tubing it will be one more week SORRY. I hurt my thumb real bad at work last night. I was loading a bit called the "perferator" on a neuro surgical drill and I think I hit the foot switch. These drills idle at at 80,000 rpm and I was holding this bit tight when it started. Needless to say I said a few cuss words. But hey got the week off work!!! might sneak out duck hunting. So everyone be safe and remember safety first. " Re: hurt at work Sorry to hear that.. get well soon!!! I hope you get some quackers for the time off.

Wade
Arkbuck... "I am still having issues with my computer for recording sounds.  Im working on getting it rolling so I can finish my CDs and get a clip of your call on the website.
Ill keep you posted.
Hows life down there, getting any birds?
I got an "ugly" for you, I just need to do a few more things to it and itll be on its way.
Wade" Re: Arkbuck... Everything is going great.  AR season has not started yet still almost 2 weeks out but there are alot of birds here right now.  We had a good run of weather going for a while then it turned back typical more like April here now than Nov. :-[ Re: Arkbuck... "Used your call this weekend, ducks just turned over and dies in the air and fell in the dekes.... with a white flag, must have know I was a good shot cause of the good callin...  Or no wait, they all ran away and never even came close enough to shoot (1500 yards or so)   ;D\
Aactually the ducks were not even REMOTELY cooperative.  SO it was an unfair test.  They wouldnt even look over their shoulders at us as they came into the late at 1500 yards hi, and cannon balled into the middle of the lake.  So Ill try em again this weekend if I can get out.

Wade
" raspy vs. high pitch "I HAVE BUILT 6 KEG'S THIS WEEK, I CAN'T TELL A BIT OF DIFFERENCE IN ANY OF THEM, BUT 2 ARE RASPY 3 ARE HIGH PITCHED, AND IS IN BETWEEN. 1 WENT IN THE TRASH HAD GOOD HIGH END SOUND BUT WOULD'NT FEED CALL, ANY IDEAS.

??? ???" Re: raspy vs. high pitch "Length of tone channel?  
Reed length in relation to channel length?
The slightest bit of "flattened" area in the radius will bring about some rasp, as will the dog ears on the reed (from what Ive heard on the reeds), Also  a touch more distance of flat area out of the cork notch will add some rasp and that seems to be the home of the "ducky sound"
Wade
" howdy "Hi guys, just thought Id drop by and say hello.Very nice forum you have here. :)" Re: howdy "Welcome.  Stick around for a while if you like.  We'll try not to bite.  Well... Wade might, but I think he's had a rabies shot.  ;D

Glad you enjoy the forum." Re: howdy Welcome.

You'll find a few other varmint hunters hanging around here. Re: howdy "GGrrrr   RRrrrrr  GGGGG  Woof!
Ah ha ah ha ah ha ah ha  SSSSSSSLLLLLLLLLLlllllluuuuuuurrrrPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!

HOWDY DO WE?!?!?

Naw I dont bite, I just lick a lot  ;D  I guess Im too much like my lab.  Spastic and hyper.....  Er wait...  Umm nevermind.

Glad to have you aboard, hope you stick around and show us how its done!
Wade
" Re: howdy "Thanks fellas! Lots of good info on this board on callmaking, nice!" acrylic Guys just to let you know I have made arrangements with a wholesaler of acrylic rods and can furnish you guys with the rods you need.  If you want some email or pm me and I will get you some prices. Re: acrylic You get some good prices?
Ill have to check it out.  Alway looking to save a $ or two... Re: acrylic "I would like some info on the acrylic rods you can get. Size, color, price?

Thanks,
Troy" Re: acrylic Are you cheaper than me?  ;D
Hopefullyl we can "scratch each others back" a little on this one.
Wade
Re: acrylic Guys Here are the prices if you are interested these are the latest prices and are subject to change if the supplier increases:
                 1"                 1.25"                 1.5"
All prices per foot 4' minimum without prior arrangements
Clear Rod:  $5.00                $6.00                $8.00

Colors:       $8.00               $10.50               $12.50

Flourecent colors are approximately 20% higher than the others  There are literally too many colors to list so if you need something email me or call me and I will see if I can get it.
Buck Quack quack! Re: Quack "Quaaaacccckkkk, Quaaacckk,  Quaackk,  Quackk,  Quack!" Re: Quack "Ticka ticka ticka ticka ticka ticka ticka chack chak chaaaaack ticka ticka ticka ticka QUACK QUAack quack  dugga dugga dugga    ticka dugga ticka dugga dugga ticka quack.

[b][size=5]BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!![/size][/b] crap....  nice shooting Duju, you shoot like I do...." Re: Quack "Wade, your crippled suzie's over here in my dekes.  You want me to finish her off and give her back to you?" Re: Quack "                        BAD DOG, FETCH!!!!!!


        NOOOO!!!! THE DUCK NOT THE DECOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!! >:( >:( >:( >:( $%#@&%$ DOG!!!!!!!
       

        Honest guys, she was real good yesterday you should have seen her then!    ::) ::) :D ;D

        What do you mean you've NEVER ??? seen a welsh corgi duck dog ??? ???
        " Re: Quack "Duju...
I dont shoot hens,  thats someone elses job.  Im a "Shoot Jake the Drake" kinda guy, and with my fast fast steel, there aint no cripples, cause if they get a light hit cause of my shooting ability, I whack em a gain before they hit the ground/water.  Must be one of Goulds.... him and his Corgi!!  I heard him splashin around in his dekes arguing with the dog....  Must be his.  I didnt hear you shoot.

Ohhh  wait... get down.......  mallards 400 yards, mostly drakes..  start calling...

QUUUUAAAAACCCKKKKKK QUUUUAAAAACCCKKKKKK QUUUUAAAAACCCKKKKKK QUUUUAAAAACCCKKKKKK QUUUUAAAAACCCKKKKKK QUUUUAAAAACCCKKKKKK QUUUUAAAAACCCKKKKKK QUUAAACKK  QUACCCCKKKKK   QUAACCKK  QUAACKK  QUAACKK QUACK  -   quAACkkkk quaACkk  Quack Quack..

Theyre coming right for us!!!  watch em, keep callin......" Re: Quack "Goulds, a welsh corgi duck dog? :o  Sorry, but I couldn't stop laughing over that one.

Oops sorry Wade, did I spook your birds?  If so, I heard that if you'll moon the birds with your white butt, they'll think it's a granddaddy mallard wing and come right back! ;D

Hey Wade, when you gonna push those birds south a bit?  Hunting was extremely bad this past weekend." Re: Quack "Pushem south?!?!!?!? Yeah right!! Im keeping um right here!!

[img]http://www.webfootcustomcalls.com/temp/moonsmiley.gif[/img]

That oughtat bring em right in........



;D

Aw and you just got buzzed by some teal.. what happen, you not see em coming?
[size=15]BOOM BOOM[/size]
Got three.... what did you get?  Oh didnt shoot?!?!?  Didnt see em in time?  Thats funny!!!

Hope you seasons get better, we've got about 5000+ mallards on the lake.  But they are not wanting to decoy very well.

Wade


" Re: Quack "Duju,
            Wait till I get back from "helping" my dog see where my DEAD bird is were going to have a "chat" about the the use of Corgis as worlds finest duck dogs!!!!!!! I know, I know, and have" Re: Quack "You prolly keep em in your pocket thats why they dont get cold  ;D  Ive watched some Nova Duck tollers run in HRC, interesting dogs, though I preffer my misguided intentions of using a lab....  :o  All in all, I think hunting dogs and motor oils are like women.  THere are tons of varieties, and they arell get the job done, its just a matter of prefference..  You know, some like blondes, some like goldens, some like brunettes, some like chihuahuas.  Its all in the eye of the beer holder.  

Ah philosophy at its phinest.  

Wade - who got his young lab his first canadian shortnecker on saturday...
" Re: Quack "I haven't had the pleasure of being around a Welsh Corgi, but my sister has a Pembroke Corgi and you can't get that thing to calm down or shut up.  I hope yours has a drastically different personality.  I'm afraid I'd shoot the only Corgi I know if I tried to take it duck hunting." Re: Quack "Duju,
            YIKES!!!! Bad dog is a pembroke type corgi. Have your sister give the dog a "job" it will help it calm down and concentrate on what it needs to do. Bad dogs job at home is to keep the "other" birds out of the Quails feed and she will watch for hours to keep them out. Well between naps too ;D ;D ;D" Re: Quack "Quack  - whistle whistle whistle whistle whistle whistle -Quack- whistle whistle Splash....

Um Gouldsy or Duju.....
You gonna shoot that duck in your dekes or just bird watch?  Im a paying spectator here and want to see some hunting!!  I cant shoot it, my third season doesnt open til the 13th.

Get him!!!" Re: Quack I cant shoot too Im also waiting for OUR third split. So I guess Ill bird watch with you >:( >:( >:( >:(  come the butt crack of dawn on the 13th I will have the joy of Bad Dog bringing that BANDED mallard back to me!


  Wade ever go to Kansas to hunt? Want to???? let me know??? Goulds Re: Quack "Hang on a minute Wade!  Nature's calling over here.  If only I had those waders with the waterproof zipper. :'(

Alright, let's shoot it.  WAIT!!!  There's a flight of 25 working.  Let's see if that duck will pull them in as well.

Quack..........quack.........quuuuaaaaccckkkk....quuuaaacckk...quaaacck....quack......quackquackquackquaacckquuaaacck...quack...quack

WWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHH!

BOOM!!!!!!BOOM!!!!!BOOM!!!!

Alright! A triple!  All greenheads!  Too bad you guys had to wait till the 13th.  If only I had one of those SBE's that let you hold a 4th shot in the chamber?  I might have had a quadruple! ;D" Re: Quack "Never hunted KS, would love to...  Just dont know the area or anyone in kansas.  Id be game for a trip.....
Im gonna have to stick with whackin geese if I can get under any til the third split opens.... Im only 15 min from Kansas, so if you w" Re: Quack BAD DOG!!!!  BRING!!!


       Duju watch My fine Corgi bring those birds in for you 8) 8) 8) ;)

       *after she brings a few of the decoys back. (I did not like where they were anyway) but on the other hand I never need to get wet to gring the decoys in :D :D :D Re: Quack "Goulds, if you're serious about this Corgi duck dog business.  It's high time we had some proof.  Post up a picture.  This is something I just have to see.  Not to mention forward to my Pembroke owning sister.

Widgeon you say, haven't ever had the pleasure of seeing a widgeon. BOOM!!  BOOM!!  BOOM!!  Sorry I missed.  I was just too excited by seeing some widgeon for the first time.  Try calling some more.  Now that I've seen some, I'm ready to whack a few.

Wade, if you want some Canadas, I've got a good park inside city limits with them all over it.  In fact, come grab a few by the leg and take them to use as live decoys!  ;D  Tired of them pooping all over the sidewalks!

" Re: Quack "Duju,

     You bet Ill post them!! as soon as season starts up Ill get a few of Bad Dog bringing them in for Ya'all. She is also a good dove dog. I used her to get birds I shot in Mexico and she would bring them to me back on the Arizona side 8) 8) 8) like all other birds they new they were safe on the other side of the border till I got Bad Dog. ;) ;)   In fact she helped me track  my deer when she was just a pup she has the best nose in the world and not just for butt sniffing LOL >:( >:(

    Duju Some day Ill let you in on my best kept secret about park Geese HEE HEE ;D ;D ;D ;D 8)" Re: Quack Betcha my dog wins 1st place in "photogenic"...
[img]http://link.freepichosting.com/image.cgi/13381/0.jpg?x=600&y=400[/img] Re: Quack "Flat,
That looks less photogenic and more religious.....  Everytime my dog looks like that, he's praying for mw to shoot better.  You sure thats not what yours is doing?

I have a few of the Gunner boy, one in flight and some with Da birds of fir" Wade_C Re: Quack "Wade,

      Your just a pup yourself ;D, Is that shot of yer Fine dog at Cabelas' in Sydney looks like the pond there?  I bet if Bad Dog had legs she could jump like that!!! Hard to jump like that with no knees ;D ;D ;D,


Everyone what nice photos of yer dogs what a nice group of dogs all of them are look great!   Ill see if my Dad can put some of me and Bad Dog up!

To bad we cant hunt cormerants, Bad Dog tolled up a bunch the other day some came with in 20 yards of me, also a bunch of buffelheads and a few ruddy ducks, Ya'all should see her tool it a sight Ya'all will never forget?" Re: Quack Yup thats up there at Cabela's
We had a HRC demo day during the sidewalk sale.  Got some great shots of gunner launching.

Yeah I have heard that corgis could jump if retrofitted with knees.  might be worth looking into.   ;D

We should get a mutt post and everyone get a pic of their mutt up here.


What an idear!!!!

Cheers all!
Wade


Re: Quack "Wade,
          Good Idea!

But someone might try to "dog nap" Bad Dog if they saw how good looking she is and what a fine duck dog she is too!


  * alcohol may be a contibuting factor in the last statement ;D ;D ;D ;)" Re: Quack I can't bring myself to get another one.

They don't get any smarter than Beau.
[center]
[img]http://www.missmallard.com/images/beau-n-shelby.jpg[/img]

[b]DJ's Sleepy Beau Diddly[/b]
     1989-2001
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Re: Quack Jason or anyone else that might be interested.....

I have a friend and business associate that is a dog trainer he is an airborne ranger fulltime and with the state of the world you know what that means... anyway he is trying to sell off all of the dogs he has that are not customers due to the chance he may be called to duty he has sold all of the dogs but one a 11 month old black male lab named magnum  the dog has passed his first HRC test and is ready to hunt and be started on whistle and hand signals good meat dog and I can get him for any of you for around $400 and that is dirt cheap for a started dog.  if anyone is interested call me at 479-601-5123 and I will call Bian.  You can read a little about Brian and Steelshot Retrivers on my Web site under Dogs. Re: Quack "Goulds..  lay off the booze!!!!!  Steal her?!?!?  I guess it could happen   :-* :-* :-*

Good pic Jason, I think I might have seen that one or one like it before.  Tough to loose a good hunting bud...  I have a pic of m" Re: Quack "Jason,

         I know just how you feel took me years to get a new dog. Bad Dog is ok, but Bunyip the Corgi I had before her, was worlds best would do anything I asked. I could never ask for a better friend than that dog. She passed away 3 years ago and I still miss her and get frustrated with my new dog when she cant do what the other did with being told or on her own. I will allways miss her. Not bad for a dog rescued for the pound.
           I went to the pound to get a lab they called me about and when I got there they were taking a cute dog to be put down so I got her instead. Best rescue ever. By the way a family got the lab before I even left the pound!

           BUNYIP C. CORGI  SSG. USA TDX
           1988- 1998" Re: Quack "Jason..
I was that way about Gator.. til my (ex now) fiancee bum rushed me with the help of my parental units, and next thing I new I was excited about picking out a new pup.  Youre likely in the same state of mind I was in when Gator was gone. &n" Re: Quack "Wade..Wade..Wade..

If two shots really brought down three geese, I guess just standing up in your blind and yelling BANG! gets at least two ducks?  Is that how it works?

If not, great lucky shooting! :)" Re: Quack Naw yelling bang usually results in an over the limit shot cause the heart attacks you cause the ducks....   :o

I have found I am a much better shoot when Im jumpshooting than when in the blind.  Yeah ive had my share of doubles on geese Re: Quack "I limited on ducks in 2 shots the other day yep 5 ducks 2 shots.  did ii mention they were black jacks and I japped'em(japped'em, verb. what happened at pearl harbor, sneaking up unannounced and causing major carnage, being a sorryA$$ excuse for anything), but like I said they were ring necks and the hunting had been slow til the last few days. ;D" Re: Quack "Jughead.
            Sounds like you "arkansased" them that's what us mountain boys call shooting them when their asleep on the water. :o :o :o ;D

         To quote Wade, "what good is it if ya cant goon yer friends"    " Re: Quack "I guess I need to check my gun.  It takes me three shots on the same bird to ensure that I don't have too far to go (to retrieve my own bird).
Man, I need a dog.  

I just finished getting my gear ready for another hunt in the morning.  (only my " Re: Quack "Wade & Jason,

In that photo of my dog, "Jake" is praying...
Praying that I will chuck all of these sorry, good for nuthin', waste of time & money steel shot in the river and go get some [b]HEVI-SHOT[/b], so he won't have to swim so far... >:(

Non-toxic shot... what a racket.
(but that's a whole nuther topic)" Re: Quack "Flat...
try reloading and I have a few loads for you...
Ive got some loads that make (with in reasonable distance) Hevi look like cat litter, (though it kinda does in real life - man they need to get better and making that stuff).

Ive got loa" Re: Quack "Jason - I agree with Wade... another pup and a little time will ease the heart, just try not to expect as much from him (or her) at first...

Wade - I would have to see it to believe that steel shot is better than ANYTHING you can shoot through a shotgun, including rock salt and nails. It may be slightly better than shooting blanks, but I don't know about that either. ;D
Have you tried reloading bismuth? I was wondering how much $ you can save..." Re: Quack "Jughead,

That might be some of the funniest sh8t Ive heard in a while.  I know where you are coming from on the hunting being slow and now at best its spotty.  We spent last weekend in England at the club and we killed 15 between 3 of us sat am.  But I am here to tell you the MALLARDS ARE NOT HERE YET  any time you are hunting in duck central and kill 2 greenheads 1 greenwing and 12 shovelers thats right Hollywood Heaven.  Well the good thing is that shovelers are early migrators and usually well out ahead of the big mallard push.  Im not saying we dont have any mallards yet we just dont have the big push that is still coming.   Seems like I get more impatient every year." Re: Quack "Flat... man its all in the physics....  energy, hydroshock, delivered energy and so forth..  all a component of VELOCITY....  which is what makes the reloads much much better.  Im not even gonna waste my time or money reloading or tryi" Re: Quack "Wade,
          Friday is not good for me  >:( but am off all weekdays till mid Jan.  :D :D  any of those week days good for Ya'all? I also hear from my friends that Taco lake is HOT!!! for divers these last few weeks!  The golf course pond By Taco lake is just full of divers Cans, Black Jacks,Red heads, scaup you name it! We could send Bad Dog in the pond to scare them off and wait for them at Taco lake ;D ;D ;D.

      Let me know about next week or so??

     What the ???? is a hollywood duck??
" Re: Quack My best days are wed mornign or tues mornings....
Ill be in and out.. let me know when you think you might be able to be around..   ill see if I can work something out...
Wade

Re: Quack HOLLYWOOD! Smilin' Mallard! The Dreaded Northern Shoveler!
The duck needs to be wearing a pink felt hat and some big gold chains........as you can see this is not my duck of choice.
Skeeter Eater! Re: Quack "Arkbuck,

         Yer a hoot!!! thats too funny I had a visual of a hollywood  (spoonys here) with the pink felt hat and the gold chains it reminded me of some of the guys I was in the Army with >:( >:( >:( If I remember right his name was "Gnawbone"  Just waiting for My split to open on the 13 th. spent half the night making some butterball decoys I saw a bunch of them at the lake the other day." Re: Quack "Whats wrong with Shovlers?  I aint got no beef wit dem spoon faced dux.  Yo....

Word, you need to kix up so happy stuff an learn dat dem dux be dux and dey all be shootin gud!!  Yo...

Now I needs to be off yo... pimpin my dekes for up comin season.... you dux dont pay for bein' wit my gals, you gets a load of steel to take home wit youz... so you boyz B cool!! 8)

There that was my hollywood homey.......  neat huh?

Have a good one.... I need to green up some mallard dekes and get things ready.  Need to get some good paint colors to add to the mix....  one of these days Ill have enough money to use up my time....

Wade


" Re: Quack "YO' HOMES, aka wade
   
           Hey thats good a red neck that speaks Ebonics. I be known' yo be fo the w'ong side o' da state ;D ;D ;D. Well some geese from Taco lake better get their affairs in order for tomarrow cause I just cleaned and oiled up the 10 ga.

          what bushings you use for your "magic" shells(37 grain) cant find any load data for steel powder??? got every thing else though.

           Man am I ever bumming I promised the wife we could go to Denver Fri NOT knowing what day it WAS!!!! I trying to figure out if the @$$ whooping will be worth it???? ??? ??? :'( :'(
    " Re: Quack That's a big 10-4 on the VELOCITY there Wade. This is why I carry the almighty 7MM MAGNUM while searching for the elusive whitetail buck. 165 grain Sierra BTHP MAX. Which is what I'll be bringin' with me when you put me on that big mucho grande muley...

Wonder what a 165 grain steel ball would do at 500 yds? Re: Quack Goulds yo!... you will want to weigh out STEEL powder... it is very fluffy and bulky and does nto meter well...  I have a few tricks to throw it from my universal charge bar... but have yet to find a bushiong charge for it....  Hand weigh it.. m Display case Does anyone have or know where I can find plans to make a wooden duck call display case?  Any help will be appreciated. Re: Display case "I haven't seen any plans specifically for duck call cases, however, I would suggest looking for shadowbox case plans.  A duck call case (in my opinion) would be a slightly modified (if necessary) shadowbox." difference between duck and goose call ok I am a newbie so whats the difference in making a goose call as opposed to a duck call?
thanks
woody Re: difference between duck and goose call "Woody, I ansered you on customcalls.com, but Ill copy it here too.
"You are dealing with a lot of differences. If you are making a short reed, your barrel diameter will stay the same as a duck call - generically. But the keg is a whole new ball of" stickers "Anybody have a good source for custom, high quality logo stickers?" Re: stickers "Me um curious too big chief!!  

Ivew thought about CNC etching or laser, but SPENDY!!  What about stickers?  Let us hear about it!

minds that need examining want to know!
Wade
" Re: stickers Talk to your local printshop.  They'll be able to print up exactly what you want. Re: stickers "Right... local print shop.....
In a town of 80, we are lucky to have a local..
let alone a local print shop.
Ill have to check denver or Ft collins next time Im back at my folks house.
" Re: stickers "Wade,
          Have you looked in that HUGE town of Kanorado just east if you????? ;D ;D ;D ;D ;)" Re: stickers "Man is this place full of Smart @$$es!!! :o

Right, theyll have one Im sure!!!
May have to look around Ft Collins when Im back home this weekend
Wade
" Re: stickers "Actually, I was hoping one of ya'll had a cousin in the business." You guys better be hunting!!! "Cause if you aint hunting, (and we know you aint here cause there arent any posts), then you must be sleeping or something.....  I hope season is the reason this has slowed down.....  Cmon, wake up!! (can you tell I had my coffee this morning)  HEELLLlllooooo?  Fine, Ill start it off....

MY call is better then YOUR call.......

Ah, what fun would life be if you couldnt goon youre friends... ;-)
" Re: You guys better be hunting!!! "Wade,
           As a matter of fact I have been hunting! I just got home from hunting with my buddy On the Eastern Shore of Maryland. D*** near broke my shoulder from shooting all those geese and SEA DUCKS!!! Old Squaw, Eiders, Scoters. and dont forget Brants  8) ;D Then when we went after the divers YEEE HAWW what a week of perfect hunting!!!!!! in fact Wade if all goes well might drop by your way during school break?. I also met some of those "fancy pants" call "makers" well that should tell you what I thought! also wish I had brought my long bow for all those bucks we had to chase off of the bean fields!!!!!" Re: You guys better be hunting!!! "Good, sounds like you had some fun...
Thngs not so productive here cause of all the public land pressure, but I guess a bad hunting is better than a good day... blah blah blah.

You talking Turkey day break or Xmas break?  Ill be in and out and around and here and there through out, so be sure to give me a heads up.  My folks live in Berthoud and Ill likely be spending TG and Xmas there and doing some hunting with old friends.  But Ill be around some at Xmas cause I have to work.  >:(  So give me a jingle and we'll go from there.

Wade
" Re: You guys better be hunting!!! "Hey Wade, how's the shooting up there?  Stinks down here pretty bad.  Eastern part of the state seemed to do better, but not great by anyone's standard.  I think we saw 6 flights Saturday, managed to get 4 of them in the dekes.  So we were 67% for getting ducks in the dekes.  Can you beat that? ;D  I'd rather seen a lot more ducks to at least make the hunt more interesting." Re: You guys better be hunting!!! "Opener was disappointing to say the least seven birds each day :-/  5 people  BUT big cold front came through last night and good lord at the birds.  We were done in exactly 38 minutes this morning from first shot to last. 6 mallards 2 gadwalls 2 wigeon drakes 2 people.  we could have killed a truck load we saw probable 2000 mallards and most were flight ducks and I guess we saw 10,000 snows heading south as hard as they can go.  Tommorrow 38 degrees and raining..........  ;D" Re: You guys better be hunting!!! "Wade,
              I was talking about X-mas break would that be ok? Im going to Taco lake in the morning and see if that is any good. So does Bonny have anything going on? Pueblo Wests' golf course is just loaded!!! CANVASBACKS!!!! red heads scaup you name it! And if a fellow has low standards there are even mallards there too. I hope to look around Lamar and La Junta soon and see if the Goose situation is doing ok with the Low water and all. I saw lake maradith this summer and did it look low!!! Last year My wife and I would see waves of thousands of snows for hour after hour. Hey just a thought would you like to go to New Mexicos Bosque Del Apache for a shot at snows and  sand hill crains????? When I was stationed in New Mexico I did real well there. " Re: You guys better be hunting!!! "Well the shooting up here sucked this last weekend, the weather didnt pan out.  Too much pressure fromt he outta towners and blue bird days didnt help.

Got my Gunner dawgs forst canada goose though, so weekend was a success.

Going to get some more ducks this weekend with my dad.  Hopefully things will be good!!

Im waiting for some good cold and snow....
The 5000+ mallards on the lake and the 2000 geese dont make for much good decoying on the lake.  Hard to compete.  Tricked a few last weekend though.

Work hard... hunt harder!!!!
Have a great Turkey day!!

Wade

" 1st Trip "Just thought I would let you guys know how my trip went this weekend.We lease some pits up in waldenburg ark. 1st day limited out by 9:00 GREAT!!! 2nd day limited out 10:00 again I hope this is a much better than last year . Well after thinking about it already is I had only one limit last year. However there was not alot of mallards mostly teal, gray ducks we did get 3 Pintails.(did have to settle for a few hollywoods the second day 4 )" Re: 1st Trip Kick butt... take names and chew some bubblegum!!

Have a happy Thanksgiving! Hope you guys all have a great Thanksgiving holiday!  Please be safe if you are travelling. Re: Have a happy Thanksgiving! Make sure that the turkey is cooked to at least 160 degrees F.

Salmonella is a BAAAAAAD thing.   :o

I'll be putting my turkey on the barbecue pit as the sun is coming up Thanksgiving morning.  It's supposed to be in the twenties - coldest night this year.  I better get another bag of charcoal. Re: Have a happy Thanksgiving! Hope each of you have a great day with friends and family!!! ;D Re: Have a happy Thanksgiving! "I gobbled too much, I cant fit in my waders anymore... gonna have to shift to hip boots til it wears off....

" And from the lab's point......  PPhhhhhtttthhhhttt "What a lovely experience.....

Arkbuck... I was using your call today, and the first note from that tooter signaled the most horrendous "Fog Dart"(spoonerism for Dog Fart) I have even encountered.  My dad was out moving some dekes to " Re: And from the lab's point......  PPhhhhhtttthhh "Cmon... I thought someone would have got their feathers ruffled or been in the same boat and replied....

Arkbuck,
I think Ill be able to get the sound clip up here inthe next day or two.  With duck season closed for a week, Ill hve some time this weekend to get things done.  
I used your call on out last day of season and man its a great finisher!
I had to learn it a bit as its a different style and blows a touch different than mine, but the down and dirty close work in the riverbottom....   whew!!  and I dont mean gunenrs gas...

Cheers and happy holidays and such!!

Wade
" Competition Calls Well maybe back to some constructive conversations..... Wade sounds like your dog has some intestinal problems mine does too but its from all the nutty bars he eats in the blind....

Any way can anyone tell me what a call maker does to a call to make it a competition call?  I know the hole size in the stopper makes a difference in the volume but some of the calls I have heard are just obscenely loud.  Can you make the hole in the end too big?  Relieve too much back pressure?  Also does the Barrel need to be longer to hold more air and should the bore be made with a 1/4 bit?  I have a few guys that want one and I can make one that is too loud to use but cant get that volume that a comp call has any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Re: Competition Calls "Youre gonna want to do a few things.  One is stiffer mylar, a good funnel in the exhaust end, acrylic or very hard wood, and I dont really know that the upsloped reed design is able to get excesively loud.  I have never seen one that was  :" Re: Competition Calls Wade I will send the mylar to you next week that is when our split comes in between making the calls I need for Xmas hunting and work I am swamped.  I made a call last night that is as close as I have come to the comp call I figured making a shorter barrell has made the call much louder and easier to blow I dont know if it is loud enough but it makes my ears hurt.
Buck Re: Competition Calls "Good, sounds like you are making progress.  Good to hear!
Wade
" One more time... "[img]http://www.jenningsosbornefamily.com/hogwild.gif[/img]

[glow=red,2,300][b]ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS GO HOGS!!!!!!!![/b][/glow]

he he he... Sorry guys, I just couldn't resist.
" Re: One more time... If we don't play any better than last week.  It's gonna be ugly!  At least it's on the road.  We seem to play better on the road this year. ;D Re: One more time... "GO Razorbacks!!!  WWOOOOO WWHOOOOOO!
I go for any team that aint NE, and since we whooped em a second time this year 8)...  I am in "HOG" heaven...   ;D

Wade
" Re: One more time... "Wade, if you're going to say go razorbacks you have to do it properly.

Go Razorbacks!  Wooooo Pig Sooie!

Not Wwooooooo Whhooooo!
;D" Re: One more time... Ill keep my comments to myself about the women OOPS i mean razorbacks and others in ARK.  :o :o :o :o
      Wade you SHOULD be a CSU fan????
WOOOOOO pig SOOIE Re: One more time... I know there's got to be a Bulldog somewhere in this crew... Re: One more time... "Oh... GO CSU!!  That better?
Go Razorbacks!  Wooooo Pig Sooie!

I dunno I dont pay much attention to the college scene, but then again, I dont pay much attention to the football scene either....  Too much of it is when Im hunting, so I miss alot.

But hey, anything I can do to ruffle feathers of other teams fans, Im all for.  Again, what fun is life if you cant goon your friends...   ;D" ???? Has everyone just quit?  I am hunting as well but still check in every so often I havent heard from many of you regulars in a while.  I know we are all not masters at this yet.  Jason thanks for the xmas wishes. Re: ???? "Here here! Thanks for the card... but man you shoulda included a call with each card.... that woulda made for a VERY MERRY christmas...  ;D  Schmuck???? Me?!?!?!?  NNaawwww!!!!  couldnt be...  :D

Arkbuck,
Thats why I pos" Re: ???? "Well,
[b]Actually[/b], I [b]AM[/b] Scrooge.   >:(

We're doing the musical Scrooge - The Stingiest Man in Town for our Christmas program at the church and I'm playing the part of young Scrooge.  Between my wife's practices (she's Mrs Cratchit), my daughter's practices (she's a ballet dancing toy), and my own, I'm busy most EVERY night until this thing is over.  
I almost forgot about the messge board.  ;D" Re: ???? "I am busting duck arses ;D.  I hunt come to work in a semi-coma, go home and repeat process, duck calls, who has time too make duck calls??" Re: ???? I'm glad someone is having a good season. Ours just ended today and was the worst season Ive ever had. I now have time to finally start getting serious about call making. TONE BOARD JIG "PURCHASED A JIG FROM HUT WORKS, BUT NEED TO HAVE ONE BUILT TO MY TONE BOARD DESIGN, ANY IDEAS. FIRST SPLIT ENDS SUNDAY HERE IN OKLA. HOPE TO GO OUT WITH A BANG THIS WEEKEND, WELL I HOPE SEVERAL OF BANGS!!!!!!!!!!!" Re: TONE BOARD JIG "I should be able to help yo shortly.  I have some things int the works and design stages.  Ill need the sample you want it built to so that I have something to do a digital map of for the CNC design.  I dont know what it will cost yet, but it will be hardened tool steel and made to mimic your call you send for copying to +/- .001-.003". Ill try and keep you guys posted.
Wade" Advice.... "Looks like Santa may be bringin' me a new lathe, Which one would you go with...Jet, Delta, or maybe one from Grizzly...I know this has been asked before, but we got some new folks around here, ....everyone post up!!!!" Re: Advice.... "have not been building calls for long, but have spent plenty of$$$$ on this hobby, have a mini delta and a mini jet, both
have done a good job , but kind of like the jet better, quieter
and smoother. all i have turned so far is wood." Re: Advice.... "The Delta and Jet look almost identical.  I REALLY like my Jet.  I don't think you could go wrong with it.  I'm sure the Delta is a good machine as well, but I've never used one so don't take my word for it.

If you are upgrading, I'd stay away from Grizzly.  I think the cheap machines are fine to learn on, but I wouldn't want to upgrade to a bigger cheap machine." Re: Advice.... I run two delta midis in my shop and have had 0 problems just replaced the belt on my oldest one and still works fine.  If you check around the net you can find a special on the delta where they will give you the extention bed for free.  As for the jet I have heard nothing but good things like Jason said the Jet ans Delta look identical probably made by the same people.  I looked for quite a while when I upgraded and I believe these are your two best options and they are about equal. Re: Advice.... "Well Santa, snuck up early and brought me a "mallard machine"....looks like I will have to start putting back a little stash for the new lathe....may take a little longer ....thanks for the advice!!!!" wood vs. acrylic "All I have turned so far is wood, mostly with a duplicator some finish work with hand tools and sand paper, if using acrylic do i use the same tools." Re: wood vs. acrylic "I don't know about the duplicator since I don't have one, but I do use the same tools to turn alternative materials like acrylic and antler." Re: wood vs. acrylic I recommend using a quality wet/dry sandpaper on acrylic.  Be sure to keep the paper wet and clean it out often. Re: wood vs. acrylic "Arkbuck uses a Duper- and has good results.  THe big thing I have found is dont cut too much too fast, sharpen your bit "just right" 0 degree rake, 90-100 degree tip and lube it up!!  The boring is the hard part.  Im using a undersize drill bit, and finishing with a reamer.  
Hope that helps.
Oh the simple version..
Same tools and theories basically, BUT your drill bits and process will be much different.  Feel free to email me or call for more info.  Oh yeah, wet sanding is almost a must...  but I do that on wood calls too... so that didnt hit me as out of the usual until I reread Jasons stuff.
Wade
" Wade_C Houston we have a problem! Well everything has been going great and killing alot of ducks my calls are sounding great and working great.... Here is the problem  the finish on my bo-doc call is flaking off in a bad way.  I am not very easy on my calls I hunt in some really nasty stuff where alot of people wont even go and the calls take alot of abuse but I think the wear on this finish is excessive.  It is Deft and I was wondering if someone had a solution other than the deft?  that would still stick and dry to cocobolo? Re: Houston we have a problem! "Just curious, how many coats of DEFT do you apply?" Re: Houston we have a problem! "Im a wax guy myself.  Durable, polishable and resisitant...
Wade
" Re: Houston we have a problem! "arkbuck - I don't know about the bois d'Arc, but cocobolo has a natural oil can really effect the way some finishes dry and stick to your calls. Put some acetone on a rag and wipe the oil off [u]immediatly[/u] before applying your first coat. If you wipe it down and wait til' later to apply that first coat, the oil will resurface on the wood and it will need to be wiped again. Some finishes, like spar urethane, will NOT dry on cocobolo unless cleaned with acetone first... and I mean never. Let me know if this helps." Re: Houston we have a problem! this call had 2 coats of sprayed deft and then had been dipped for the final coat thats how I do most of the calls.  I went by the local woodworking store last night and picked up some clear acrylic in a spray can have any of you ever used it? finishing tone boards Once you tune your tone board are you guys finishing it with Deft to or just the bottom of the stopper.  I have been spraying it all and then I end up sanding it off and retuning it or ruining it!!  Also is there anybody on here that is close to southern indiana? I need someone besides my hunting buddys to give me there honest opinions on my calls.


Dan

NO MERCY
CUSTOM CALLS Re: finishing tone boards I tape the sounding surface of the toneboard before spraying it.   Re: finishing tone boards "Same here, I dont even spray the bottom portion.  I will wax them sometimes though....
Wade
" Re: finishing tone boards Here is the way I do it....
try finishing your stopper before you cut out the toneboard.  works great for me.  I put on a couple of coats before cutting and then tape off for the last coats.  but never try and finish the toneboard surface. Re: finishing tone boards Thanks for the help. I am looking for some Blackwood none of the suppliers I have called have any. Anybody know where some might be? (Dont say Africa)


Thanks

Dan Re: finishing tone boards Gilmer wood products out of oregon I think..  They are the best blackwood suppliers I have ever found and they always have a ton of it and you can buy the 2nds cheap. smoothing toneboard hey I recall a while back someone saying they used a knife or blade to smooth their toneboard after sanding.  My question is what is this accomplishing you?  It seems like it would make the surface tension on the toneboard so much that is would cause it to stick.  I never smooth mine and always leave my acrilics "file rough" to break up the surface tension.  Just wondering if there is something I dont know? Re: smoothing toneboard "Explain the surface tension to me, I havent heard that expression before.

I usually sand my boards a bit when they are finished, helps get rid of the little hairs that will stnad up over time...

Acrylic calls get the sand paper too, and sometimes if Im REALLYYYY bored, Ill polish a board for fun.

Cleans up and clears up the sound a bit.  Bout only reason I would do it to a call Id sell if for a comp....  maybe.....

Wade
" Re: smoothing toneboard The surface tension means the amount of contact of the reed surface and the toneboard.  think of it this way have you ever been around someone who has had a glass topped coffee table and had a dirnk on it that has sweated moinstuure on the table and Re: smoothing toneboard "Oh duh!!!! the scientific "surface tension"  as in the reason you can fill a glass with water and have the level of water above the actual glass.  And from there the cohesion effect created by surface tension, in ground water and all t" How's it going??? I've not been posting much on call making lately too busy hunting every chance I  get.  As yall read earlier my 1st trip to ark went well returned back home for openig weekend (Alabama) . on a scale from 1/10 about a 5 however things started to change last weekend Dec. 7 I believe it was started to get a few more mallards Anyway I heard the boys in Miss. had all the ducks .Just wondering if it is true also would like to know how everyone else is doing .Planing to go back to camp in Ark. before long. (If I ever get over are football coach leaving ) :'( Re: How's it going??? "We've got ducks around here.  I still think there is alot of them that haven't pushed this far down yet.

Last weekend, Dec 7 was pretty much a bust.  The hole was lightly frozen, and there was NO wind or clouds.  The birds flew ok until just after sunrise then shutdown COMPLETELY.  I didn't even see one high flight after that.  If I had been shooting Wade's magic bullets, I could have limited out by sunrise, but It wasn't to be.  I think we could have seen more birds if we were on the river.

The weather is starting to look pretty good again...now how am I going to get off of work????" Jason wood source anyone know where I can get 6"x6"x18" hardwoods... its for turning but not a duckcall :D :D Re: wood source "If you don't have a local hardwood lumber company, then I would suggest EBay.  If you can't quite find the piece you need in the right size, contact the seller...alot of them are supplementing their own retail hardwood lumber business with eBay auctions.  They may be able to cut whatever you need and you wouldn't have the hassle of trying to win the auction.

I've done this before on an auction that I lost.  The seller had plenty more of the wood I was bidding on and was happy to have gained another customer." Re: wood source "Oh yeah, I've been really happy with the folks at Berea hardwoods www.bereahardwoods.com  The website is usually out of date and tends to cater to the pen makers, but they actually stock a lot of interesting hardwoods in different sizes.

You'll want to give them a call to see what they have that might fit your needs.  They've always been friendly and helpful to me." Re: wood source Might check with Righteous Hardwoods or Exotic hardwoods of latin america...
Wade
Turning Acrylic "I am using a jet mini lathe and a nova compac chuck and have been making wood calls for about two years.
I recently bought some acrylic rod to try out.  I tried a piece of acrylic last night and ran it at the lowest speed and ended up using a parting tool to do most of the work. It was a very slow process, about 2-1/2 hours to scrape out a tone board. Do you scrape or cut the acrylic? Tried the gouge, skew and a bull nose scraper and the parting tool and none of them seemed to work very well, although a 1/4 gouge did remove material somwhat faster, the parting tool worked best. What speed do you turn at and what tools do you use
on acrylic?
 " Re: Turning Acrylic turn the speed up on your lathe to around 2800 rpms and it will cut fine watch your pressure Re: Turning Acrylic I also turn acrylic at the higher speeds (1500-2000 rpm).  I have the best luck using a 1/4" and a 3/4" bowl gouge.  I do the finish work with a 1/2" scraper.  Make sure that they are very SHARP!  Hold the gouge where the bevel is on the rod and no cutting is taking place.  Then slowly raise the handle so the "angle of cut" is as shallow as possible.  When you are cutting off material in a thin ribbon you are doing it right. Re: Turning Acrylic "The type of tool and cut determines my speed.  If Im cutting lots and trying to move some chips, Ill slow it down and use a round nose scraper... (needs to be good and sharp), if im finishing off, I go about as fast as the lathe will, and resharpend " Re: Turning Acrylic "I may have a thing or two left to learn about callmaking, but I am near to mastering the art of "freehand tool sharpening" and if that is not the first rule in turning, it very well should be. When I turn acrylic I have a can of water sitting on my right. Make a pass or two, dip it in the water. This keeps the tip cool and it holds an edge MUCH longer.
Spend more time sharpening ;) and less time sanding. :P" Re: Turning Acrylic "Godd points (pun intended) flatlander.

Sharp tools are a must and It takes practice to get a good profile on a gouge without using jigs.

I still freehand mine, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a good sharpening system to anyone who is having problems getting their tools sharp.  A tormek is on my wish list for Santa, but I'm sure that he'll tell me that I haven't been THAT good.  ;D" "Mathematics, Geometry, calculus and duck calls?" Things that make you go  ::)

Has anyone tried making a duck call ramp/sound board from a mathematic formula or orientate a geometrical shape (elipse) to act as the lay out for a call ramp?  I have a bunch of calls that I have "mapped "Re: Mathematics, Geometry, calculus and duck calls" You are getting waaaaaayyy to deep for my feeble mind!!!! ;D "Re: Mathematics, Geometry, calculus and duck calls" Ah... but since this is part of my "job" I thought I might see if anyone else was as looney as me and curious about the same stuff..  
And we just thought you wittle a bit stick some plastic and a chunk o cork in there and you got a duck tooter..... :P

Plus I thought the "THings I learned" liust might benefit somepeople...
Cheers
Wade
"Re: Mathematics, Geometry, calculus and duck calls" it would be onteresting to see if the designs were similar I think it would be fairly easy to draw the boards cad format and then overlay them and you could actually see the differences and similarities.

Additions:

1.  With an upsloped reed design all tone channel and reed rules are the same for up and unsloped.

2.  It is VERY hard to get a really good jig even if you have it custom built.  I am on my third and it is still not exactly right.

3.  With an upsloped reed design and even with an unsloped (i think) barrel length plays a big role in tone and more importantly volume not to mention ease of operation.

So many variables "Re: Mathematics, Geometry, calculus and duck calls" "Wade, since I'm  at the beginning of what looks to be a long voyage I can't contribute much meaningful input at this point. But it stands to reason that there is a cooralation between great sounding calls mathmatically speaking. Thanks for telling me about this site it's everything you said and more." "Re: Mathematics, Geometry, calculus and duck calls" Before you know it... youll be teaching us a thing or two!!

Go get em!!

Cheers
Wade
"Re: Mathematics, Geometry, calculus and duck calls" "Wade,

      If you would like we could X-ray your calls and put them on the dopler too to see if there is anything we could find out about them. For example if one that sounds real good and one that looks identical but sounds bad we" "Re: Mathematics, Geometry, calculus and duck calls" Might be an interesting thing to check out.  Im not sure what the desity stuff could really do but it might be interesting to compare it to acrylic to "see" the differences.  My main interest is in the sound that the various ramps and "Re: Mathematics, Geometry, calculus and duck calls" "Have ya'll ever seen a call with a flat toneboard and a curved reed? I've read something about an old callmaker that made them, but don't recall his name... anybody got one of those callmakers and collectors books? Last name started with a P, maybe?

Three things suck about getting old. 1st one is you loose your mind... and I forget the other two. ;D" "Re: Mathematics, Geometry, calculus and duck calls" "My dad has one, its very interesting but from what I have heard and seen, they are VERY particular.  If the reed has the slightest change in ramp, things go down the tubes in a big hurry.  THough I have no personal experience.  I dont particularly care for the sound of the one my dad has.  Dont know who made it.  Ill try and remember to check over xmas.
Wade
" "Re: Mathematics, Geometry, calculus and duck calls" "That's the definition of a Reelfoot style call.  I've seen plenty, though I've never blown one...never even held one in my hand.  

Most sportsmen are "tinkerers" by their very nature.  As soon as a new duck call is purchased, the insert gets removed.  No one can resist taking something apart to see "how did they do that".  I can't imagine trying to keep a reelfoot call sounding the way the maker intended since it is so easy to change the reed." "Re: Mathematics, Geometry, calculus and duck calls" "Hi, guys, I'm a newbie.  I've hit the site and board a few times since the summer, and figured I'd sign on.
I just bought a Delta Midi Lathe and some tools (well, Santa did), and intend to try my hand at this.  I have been infected since my e" "Re: Mathematics, Geometry, calculus and duck calls" "Welcome aboard, and we'll all come visit you in the looney bin after youve been commited due to your over active infatuation with call making.  Likely your wife/girlfriend will be the one making the call to the boys that deliver the white laundry with the overly long sleeves that tie in the back... ;D
Seeing how it will only be short walk for many of us as we will be just down the hall.  FOrtuneatly I talked the orderly into letting me keep a tooter or two with me, so if you hear some quacking coming from the padded room, thats me...  8)

Hope we can be of further service.  Ill likely be of little help due to my lack of dealing with the flat tone board/curved reed set up, but you never know, I might make somehting up and it might still work  ;-)

Keep in touch
Wade


" I quit my job.. "Boys, this morning I upped and quit my job!  Now only to figure out what's next, so prayers would be appreciated for my family.  We have debated finding another job for some time now and decided now is the time.  Quite a bit of uncertainty out there, but also quite a bit of possiblity.  Keep us in your prayers.

Thanks,
Duju" Re: I quit my job.. Go get em tiger!!!!  We have fsith in you finding just what your needing!!  You need to change things up to make life fun!!
Me and gunner will keep our fingers crassed and our eyes too..
Wade
Re: I quit my job.. Good luck....sometimes I wish I had the guts to do the same thing.... ;D Re: I quit my job.. duju
         Noticed where you live.  what are you looking for?  What is your field.   Do you have any experiance in the real estate or mortgage market? Re: I quit my job.. "Thanks for the thoughts guys, they are appreciated.

Arkbuck, I'm a CPA.  So I guess that makes my field public accounting or a unique opportunity in the corporate industry.

Got some leads since the last post, so I'll keep you guys up to date.  Can you imagine moving?  Man what would I do with all the junk in my shop?  I better find something around here or else I'll be forced to clean my shop.  :o

Thanks again!" Re: I quit my job.. "Prayers are beiing sent duju, I just interviewed for an awesome job, will find oout next week, so you boys do a little praying for ole jugsy too.

Arkbuck, I'm in Real Estate, whatcha got?" Youre not going to believe this I know this is the wrong forum but IT HAS HAPPENED!   I believe that I have had the perfect hunt.  Youre not going to believe this because 1 there are not many ducks here yet 2 it happened no where near stuttgart not even east south or north of Re: Youre not going to believe this "You gotta love it !!! Who said waterfowling is addicting? ;D ;D
Without the slow days it wouldn't be as sweet. Now stay home and don't go back to that hole for a repeat, I dare you. ;)" Re: Youre not going to believe this Hey Arkbuck!  The least you could have done was send them back west when you got done.  It's so poor around here that it's not even funny.  Every time I go I have to remind myself...at least I'm not working! ;D

Congratulations!  Sounds like a great hunt.  I could certainly use one of those this year. Re: Youre not going to believe this "Oh sure... make us all jealous...  your such a sweet guy!!  ;D
I for one would never subject other fellow hunters to my stories of a great hunt, and birds everywhere.... while they had a hard time remmebering what a duck was like.  I'd never do that... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D at least not more than 5 or 6 times a season....  HA!
Thats awesome!  Glad you had such a great hunt.  I think the man upstairs does do that sometimes... He just looks downa nd say... "you think youve seen lots of ducks?!?!  Check this out!!"
And the bad days make you appreciate it soooo much more.!!
Have a great day...

Wade
" Re: Youre not going to believe this "Arkbuck,

                Im glad you did better than I did!!! I had a bad day today >:( >:( first my kayak was stuck in the river because of not enough water and quick sand. (this is the Arkansas river" Re: Youre not going to believe this

Here are some pictures minus the birds we gave to the man that owned the hole.



[url]www.outlawgamecalls.com/pictures.htm[/url] Re: Youre not going to believe this Nice bag.  Are you in any of the pictures? Re: Youre not going to believe this top picture big guy on the far left newbie is very impressed " ;D :o  Hi All, I'm John and am new to call making and am finding it more than addicting. I bought my own wood lathe(Jet Mini) 4 weeks ago and am having a blast making pens , bowls and the like. And you guessed it calls too, only problem is my wife thinks I like my lathe more than her(women ? ). I was making my first goose call and she came home and wanted to talk about house decisions( we are having a house built ) I said I would live happily with whatever door and windows she choose. Well her look told me I better turn off the lathe and pretend I was interested, so I did. That goose call turned out nice I'm just wondering how in the heck to order the brass that will size down the 5/8 bore to accept the goose guts. People tell me .618 is what I need, fellas what is .618 is it metric measure or what? By the way this site is incredibly helpful, I'm glad Wade told me about it.
thanks, John" Re: newbie is very impressed ".618 is an inch measurement.  Is that the OD or tthe ID of the tubing youre going to want to use?  If youre using K&H guts, they need a .611-.615" from best I can tell.  I dont know where you might find some already to spec, but yo" reed bed angle "Have been using a hut jig, with a very flat reed bed has a decent sound, had a new jig made with what I would consider
to be more up sloped from the cork holder, seems to be very
ducky sounding from the low end to high end. just looking for opion's on this.

ps. hunted a peanut/wheat field this am 3-eliminator blinds and 90 goose decoys , none of the geese wanted to play, but ended up with 8 green heads and 6 widgeon. ;D ;D ;D ;D" Re: reed bed angle "There are many things at work when you start looking for ducky pr clean calls.  The ramp has the most effect.  The thing is though, its the relation of the ramp to the reed rather than the ramp angle in relation to the keg.  An upsloped ram" Boxes I know this has been asked before but couldnt find any the right size from a previous post. Where in the heck can you find these at. I've been doing search after search and cant find the right size. I even checked with some local print shops and had no such luck. Thanks in advance. Re: Boxes I have seen where some folks have used this place....
www.papermart.com Re: Boxes "I searched the web awhille back for some and found the closest to what I was looking for at National Carton and Coatings, www.nationalcarton.com.  

They have a white carton that is 1.75x1.75x6 that is about .75@ with a miniimum order of 500.  They will also custom make and print to your order according to their ad.  I didn't order any because of the price, but that was about the best I found." Merry Christmas!!!!! Hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday Season!!!! ;D Re: Merry Christmas!!!!! Merry Christmas!  And to all a good night...  Ho! Ho! Ho!.... Lathe confusion! Help call makers. "I'm having problems making up my mind. I'm doing my homework for an "after duck season" project. I'm trying to purchase a lathe in the near future but I don't know what some of the key features are. Some lathes have "some" good features but, I can't find one that has it all. I'm leaning toward one of the Grizzly lathes. It seems that the reostat speed control would be the best way to go. Seems like belt jumping would be a drag. I like the smaller lathes (seems a shame to buy a near 4' lathe when I'll only be using a foot of it) but then that seems to rule out drilling. Can good results come from only drill press drilling? Looks like drilling with the lathe would be more precise for insert drilling. What's the deal?" Re: Lathe confusion! Help call makers. cant go wrong with the delta midi (i have 2) or the jet mini both great lathes.  The belt changing isnt that bad at all. Re: Lathe confusion! Help call makers. "superfly, if your talking about barrel drilling, i use a press, then put the wood on a mandrel, and turn it round.  as far as the insert drilling, you need to do that on the lathe.


" Re: Lathe confusion! Help call makers. "With the Grizzly lathe, (which is slightly underpowered to begin with) the rheostat speed control isn't all that great.

When you slow down the motor, you are also turning down the power.  At normal turning speeds, It was difficult to bear down on the wood without stopping the rotation.

With a pully and belt, the motor always turns at the same speed (and same power) while the different pully combinations turn the spindle at different speeds.  It's not that big of a deal to change speeds, but there is more to it than turning a knob.

Some folks drill their insert in a drill press.  I think the best way is to drill it on the lathe.  a 12" bed should be plenty big enough to drill your inserts.  

" Re: Lathe confusion! Help call makers. "Thanks, that gives me some stuff to think about. I guess the main reason I want to buy a cheap lathe is to just get my feet wet and see if it's something I can do. I know there is a lot to learn but up to this point I've done everything I've ever tried so why not just do it.  I didn't really think about the power when turning down the  speed. That would suck! Okay, that helps me out a lot. Thanks again." Re: Lathe confusion! Help call makers. "Don't get me wrong, a cheap lathe will certainly turn a duck call.  I made MANY on the very lathe that you are looking at.  You may be forced to use a little ingenuity in order to make everything work for you.

Spending a hundred bucks on a hobby that you THINK you might like (or have the aptitude for) is relatively easy.  You will spend more in the long run, because you are sure to want to upgrade in the future.

Investing in top notch equipment from the start without first getting your feet wet is more difficult.  You'll have less problems, you'll spend less in the long run, but what if you realize that you're allergic to wood dust, or that you just don't have the patience?  Well, you're out a lot more than $100.

You make the decision.  " Same lathe? "Okay, I've been really looking at the Grizzly lathes. While scoping out the "how to" page on the Missmallard site I recognized the lathe that is being used as one of the same lathes I'm looking at. The lathe shown making the call loks like the lathe in the link below. What gives?

http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?ItemNumber=G9247&&User_ID=3060329&St=6008&St2=49345899&St3=-45371541&DS_ID=1" Re: Same lathe? "That's the same lathe shown in the how-to pictures.

It's not a bad lathe for the money, but I am MUCH more happy with the JET mini that I upgraded to.  I've posted my thoughts about the small grizzly lathe several times.  Try searching on "Grizzly".  The search function on this board isn't too friendly, so let me know if you can't locate it." super nova "I got a supernova chuck for christmas, is it suppose to come with jaws or not?  if i have to buy them seperate, which ones do I need?" Re: super nova "There were two sets of jaws that came with my chuck.  The 25 and 50mm.  I ordered the 35mm spigot-jaws from "Technatool" (I think) out of Canada and that's all I've been using since I installed them.  I actually found the jaws at a better price than "technatool" had, but had to order from them because they were the only one who had something else that I needed.  I told them about the lower price and after checking on it he charged me less. ;D" Arkbuck.. you getting some snow? "You getting any snow that way?  Saw some pics in the newpaper, looks like you might be having some fun down there...  Too bad Im keeping all the ducks up here...   ;D

Hope you had a great holiday
Wade
" Re: Arkbuck.. you getting some snow? we got a little smow but no ducks.  the weather came in here from the southwest.  lots of snow just north of us in MO and that would be great if all the ducks were not in Iowa where there is no snow and it is 40 degrees.  I tell you what guys for us here in the south it will be this way for a long time.  Our climate has changed we do not have winters like we had in the past maybe every 3 to 4 years we will have a strong winter but it is rare.  I am a firm believer that there is not as bad of duck shortage as the AGFC would lead us to believe.  I think that we will see a great season for about the last week. if it ever gets cold.  sorry needed to vent getting very frustrated. Re: Arkbuck.. you getting some snow? "Wel with that cold spurt we had, maybe youll get some of those ducks.  Man has it been aweird year.....  Our lake is frozen about 90% from being completely open a week ago.  So i dont know what to think.

Wade" Re: Arkbuck.. you getting some snow? "Okay Buck, Now IM REALLY PISSED!!!
I finally got the time to sit down and do a recording of your duck call to put the sound file up on the website, and the sound card in the motherboard of my computer is on the fritz....  I farted around with it for more than two hours and cant get it to work, so I guess Im going to have to do something different....  I guess the sounds are back onhold.... CRAP!!!!  and I have some goose call clips to put up there too...
When it rains it poors.....


Wade
" Taper Reamer help needed Do you guys know where I can get taper reamers for my inserts. I have one now that I had custom made to the deminsions that I use. The problem with it is that It gets dull after using it about 15 times and cost $17 to get it sharpened. Here are the dimensions of it. The small end is .250 and goes up to .500. I dont know the exact angle but it goes from .250 to .500 in 1.750. The one I have now I put it in a my chuck. My lathe uses a M2. Does anyone know where I can order a reamer like this? All I use is acrylic.What do you guys use to bore out your backpressure. This has been getting frustrating to deal with. Thanks guys and by the way I'm no machinest so I hope I'm not too confusing. RiverMallard Re: Taper Reamer help needed I use a glass and tile drill bit that you get at lowes or Home Depot.  1/2 for the open water and 3/8 for the timber call  it works very well all you have to do is experiment to find out how far to drill the hole. Re: Taper Reamer help needed "You might look at a stepped drillbit too, only one edge to sharpen, and its a tough edge at that, in acrylic if you go slow and use soapy water, itll be  nice clean hole too.  Otherwise Id bet going to a tapered hand reamer would be a good way to go.  Ive been using the same tapered hand reamer since I was 12, and havent sharpened it or anyhting, and its been used on everything from brass to wood to acrylic.  Its slower, but its lasted well.  

Good Luck
Wade
" Re: Taper Reamer help needed "I've tried the uni step bit. It works good, it just that I dont like the step look. Anyone else have any suggestions?" Re: Taper Reamer help needed "They also make one without steps, its basically a tapered drill bit.  I cant think of the manufacturer off the top of my head, Ill see what I can find.
Good luck
Wade
" Re: Taper Reamer help needed "That is exactly what I need, hope you can find some info. Thanks" Re: Taper Reamer help needed "I can get you one.  I found it after about a days worth of looking in my suppliers books.  Its not cheap, but it is exactly what you are looking for I think.  MinDrilling Capacity: 1/8 MaxDrilling Capacity: 1/2,  Shank Diameter: 1/4"
I dont have an overall length though.  I can get it for you if you want.  Shoot me a PM or an email.
Here is a picture.

[img]http://www.webfootcustomcalls.com/tools/images/omnitaperbit.jpg[/img]
I hope that helps you out.

Wade
" Re: Taper Reamer help needed "Cutting length is about 1", so its not very long.  I just got one here and measured it.
Anybody else want one while Im ordering?  Buck wanted one too so I have it coming here shortly.
Wade
" Re: Taper Reamer help needed oops didnt read the message before i called and pm'd you wade disregard the message and call me when it comes in. Re: Taper Reamer help needed "Buck, I PMd you.

Anyone else want one?

Wade" Re: Taper Reamer help needed "I searched the web some time back looking for a reamer with less angle that the ones commonly found.  I wanted one that would start opening the channel up near the wedge, but wouldn't be over 3/8" or so at the exhauxt.  I finally found some at JTS Machinery, (www.jtsmach.com).  Work your way through their product line to tapered reamers and find the repairmans T-handle reamers.  They have two, both with cutting lengths of 3 5/8".  One starts at 1/8 and goes to 3/8, the other goes from 1/8 to 1/2.  They are pricey, but should do a better job of releasing back pressure without opening a cavern in the exhaust.

A cheap alternative is to take an old 1/2" spade bit, scribe the centerline and angles you want then carefully grind it to shape.  Chuck it in a battery drill, keep it square to the insert and it does a respectable job." New here Hey Guys..I'm new to this board. I been making calls for a few years now. Just wanted to say "hey" and tell ya you have a nice site. I'm sure I can learn something from ya'll. Re: New here "Hey Arkie, good to see you around here....you post up....I know we can learn a few things from you also!!!!
I still haven't broke down a got one of your calls....but I will!!!!" Re: New here "I'm new here to and like what I see. Some helpful guys here.Made a goose call yesterday sounds awesome. Now you guys have me intruiged to give a try Ark style duck call. I made a duck call for a co-workers husband for christmas out of Cocabolo and brass band Louisiana style. It looked and sounded great but I know more satisfaction can be had knowing the tone board is you own. I'm waiting on mylar and cork from Hut, do they normally take 2 weeks to ship? " Re: New here Welcome to the board. Re: New here Glad to have you around!!  Post up and teach us a thing or two... I know I aint done learning yet...   ;D
Wade Re: New here Thanks for the welcome guys...I'll try and help IF I can.

Hey WestArk..I didn't know you were making calls too...I'm sure we can work something out. Just let me know.. Re: New here I don't know if I would call what I am doing "making calls" yet!!! ::) I have got a couple to sound half way decent....nothing I'm sure compared to yours....btw talked to your old buddy Gersh a few weeks back.....tried to get him to come off the hill for a duck hunt....but he was too busy chasing deer in Missouri!!!! Re: New here "LOL..That sounds just like him...always after the big'un. There was a time he wouldn't miss a day of duck hunting. We done some strange things to kill ducks. I am almost as bad now...if I know where there is a big ole buck, I've been known to miss a duck hunt or two.

If you think I can help ya any, give me a call..I'll try." Been working on a call "I've been trying for about 6 months to make a call that I thought sounded just like a duck.  I finally did it.

I was trying to stay away from the open water piercing top-end calls and just make a real ducky one.  Well, what I got was a re" Re: Been working on a call Sounds to me that you might not have enough back pressure. Try taking a little more material out and see if you get it louder. I had the same problem when I first started and it was the back pressure. . I'm no expert by far but I hope this helps. RiverMallard Re: Been working on a call "I'm going to tinker with it a little more tomorrow, and try your suggestion of tweaking the back pressure some.

I'm trying to find that sweet-spot between easyblowing and proper volume I guess.  Looks like I'm gonna be pulling my hair out again soon.  ::)

" Re: Been working on a call "I think what you are looking for lies in the depth of the tone channel.  Too deep and it will take too uch air to blow, not enough and you get what you have, quiet and easy blowing.  Then there is the area of just right, a touch more gets you wh" My first attempt at call making "I bought a Delta Midi-Lathe in August & just took it out of hte box over the weekend. This is my first-ever attempt at turning....anything, and it almost sounds like a duck ;D  The barrel is rock maple and the insert is walnut.

[img]http://www.cartogra.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=660f79bf-5154-57c9-1c78-880c
cb9c2545&size=lg[/img]

Thanks for looking   ;D" Muskoka Re: My first attempt at call making Looks Great. Its frustrating at times but very addictive. Re: My first attempt at call making Looks pretty good for a first try nice job.  ;D Re: My first attempt at call making Looks Great.  8)

How did you manage to go so long without unboxing your lathe?  I would have at least had to set it up and turn it on...even if I was too busy to do anything with it.  ;D Re: My first attempt at call making great job... YI assume we will be seeing you at the call maker-aholic annonymous meetings from here on out?
Wade
Files what type are useful While making Ark style duck calls what files do you find useful and for which part of making the call? Re: Files what type are useful "Only place I use files is on the soundboard.  I a nice and small - fine tooth - milling fill for the final stuff and a courser bastard file for taking the meat out...
Thats the extend of my file usage.  Everythign else is lathe tools, sand paper and a coping saw.

Wade
" Re: Files what type are useful "My favorite file is one I fashioned from Jason's idea.  It's a six inch mill file with one side and one edge ground smooth.  I use it for the final cuts before taking the insert out of the jig, and also for reshaping toneboards when tuning.  With the one side and edge smooth, you can orient the file so that you can cut the rear of the toneboard without deepening the notch, or deepen or expand the notch without affecting the toneboard. " Fisch lathes? "Anybody ever used one? How is it? Looks pretty damn good. Doesn't say what kind of MT is in the tailstock. I assume it a MT #2, same as the spindle.

http://amos.catalogcity.com/cc.class/cc?main=catalog&pcd=3090981&prd=4690499&ccsyn=22" Re: Fisch lathes? "I've never heard of one.

I would expect it to have a MT #2in the tailstock as well.  

It sounds like a good machine.  It is in the same price range as a JET or Delta which most of the regulars here have experience with.  The #2 MT and 1" X 8 tpi is common so accessories shouldn't be hard to find.

I'm not familiar with catalogcity.com  are they the ones that actually sell the lathe or are  they just a front end for another company?  You want to be sure that you will be able to get good customer service from the company.

For 300 bucks, I'd feel more comfortable going with a reputable company such as WoodCraft." downunder duck calls "Hi Guys , Greetings from the land down under , this is my second attempt at posting a message on this most excellent board . I can't figure out what happend to the first one . So please bear with me , it is all new to me .
I do a bit of wood carving as" Re: downunder duck calls "Welcome!

I can't think of any callmakers from Australia either, though I do know of a callmaker in New Zealand - John Gemmel (At least he's in the same hemisphere ;) )

I don't know what Hut Products' international shipping policies are, but " Re: downunder duck calls ;D Thanks Jason for your prompt reply . I think you have covered all my questions .

Duck hunting Downunder !! Well mate where I live is a hell of a lot different from what duck hunters in the US would be used to . Firstly we don't have the large a Django Re: downunder duck calls "Welcome Django... you have discovered the best resource on the internet for callmaking information, thanks to Mr. Jason Stanard. This board has really come a long way in the past year and it will only continue to improve. Take some time to look around at previous topics and discussions. I go back often and re-read old topics, and learn things that didn't "sink in" the first time I read it. Answers to many questions you may have are already here in some previous posts. The search feature works well for finding specific info.

My question for you... Do Australian Mallards migrate? To/from where? ???" Re: downunder duck calls "Great to have you aboard!!!
IT will be awesome to hear stories of different lands and birds....
Have a great season and dont let them "anti's" get to you,  maybe they should have an anti license, just like we have terroist licenses....  hmmmmm, duck hunter terrorists.  Maybe a plain terrorist license would cover it.... ;-)

Have a great one

Wade
" Re: downunder duck calls We have terrorist licenses?  :o Re: downunder duck calls Yep..thats right Jason..If I knew how to post a pic I would be glad to post it. I though everyone had them. ;D Re: downunder duck calls "I have a sportsman license which is a plastic credit card type license that covers all game hunt and fish, as well as primitive weapons.  I have my Federal and State duck stamps as well.  

Shouldn't the terrorist license be covered by the Sportsman license?  Nah, it's probably a Federal thing.  Can I get one at the Post Office?

When is the season?  " Re: downunder duck calls Arkie email me the pic and Ill post it for you.
Wade Re: downunder duck calls OK Wade..its headed your way ;D

I got to figure this putter out someday!! ;) Re: downunder duck calls Here you go Lads.... Tis but a grreat priveledge to show you such a wonderful thing.  I cant think of any more beautiful thing than a game rack full of Osams and his crew.  
[img]http://www.webfootcustomcalls.com/temp/arterror.jpg[/img]

Enjoy...... Re: downunder duck calls "In answer to Flatlanders question regarding migrating Mallards from Australia . Flatlander , I have done a bit of digging around mate and it would appear , no they don't migrate.
If fact whilst Mallards were introduced to Australia they don't seem to have bred up in any great numbers , at least not where I live . I have rarely seen more than one or two at a time . Also , we have such great weather !! No need to look for warmer climes , they already have it !! If and when I get the chance to go duck hunting , I wear hiking shorts , a short sleeve shirt and tennis shoes !! The coldest part of the trip is the BEER !!
best wishes
Django" Specific Task? "I know that space and $$$ kind of limits us on what we would like to do. I was wondering how many set up a machine to do a specific task. I have 1 set up just for drilling and another just for polishing. Am I the only one that does this? The 1 for drilling I feel saves time. I don't have to set it up every time and I know its going to be right, when I'm ready drill. The 1 for polishing is no big deal either way. Its just a small press I had that I use now for the insides of acrylic barrels." Re: Specific Task? I'm addressing the space problem right now...I'm about to raise the walls on a new shop/office behind my house.  I anticipate some new machines dedicated to specific tasks in the future.  My first priority though will be a top-notch dust collection system!   Re: Specific Task? I do try and set up some machines for specific tasks.  I use a duplicator to cut the rough calls and have another lathe set up to do all the finishing work and drill the inserts.  I have alot of other machines set up for different things but I was also in the wood working hobby long before the call making so I have had some of the machines for a long time.  All I really added were the lathes. so be patient in building your shop and acquiring tools and become a regular at the pawn shop. Re: Specific Task? That is what I am doing also Jason. With the added space I can add more machines and hope to set them up for a specific task. I have a couple lathes and am getting another. I also have a couple saws and drill presses. I was just trying to find out if I was headed in the right direction with my thinking. At some point I hope to have every machine set so I don't waste time making sure everything is set right. Re: Specific Task? "Im working on that as well, though my space is a big problem right now, things will hopefully get better on that front soon.
Its nice to not have to retool and reconfigure stuff as you go through the processes.

Wade
" jig hardness "I think this is a great site.  I have the dimensions for a tone board jig and have consulted with several people.  Prices ranging from $250-500. These seem pretty reasonable but, I need a little information regarding hardness.  Everyone I've talked to talks about flamehardness of such and such
Rockwell scale.  Is this the standard scale?  Is there another method to harden the metal that makes it resistant to file and the bandsaw?
An observation I've made is that toneboards are 1/2" longer than the reeds (Mylar) and the reeds are 0.15" longer than the tone channel.  Does this hold true for most inserts?
Thanks " Re: jig hardness "Rockwell is a common scale, and most hardening is enough to handle most files and saw blades.  But depending on the place, they will sometimes anneal it so that it is less brittle, talk to you local machininst and ask him what he things is best, Id guess in the area of Rockwell 45 - 50 is plenty, but Im not too far into my designs yet.

As for the tonebaord measurements, it really is more dependant on the ramp design and tone channel depth and length.  Though those measurements are "in the ball park" to standard theory.  Hope that helps.
Wade
" Re: jig hardness you can also use air hardening steel. rockwell in the 50to55 range is what you want. if you make the contour of the jig prior to heat treat you may get distortion during heat treat or during the draw back. it's best to have your block hardened first then have the contour edm'ed. also with this rockwell you will not hurt your jig when you use a file or saw.


             duckdude soap box Ok here i go we are having one pi** poor year for duck hunting I have one hunting partner that has been hunting for 30 yrs and has not seen it this bad ever I've only been hunting for 10yrs beats anything i've ever saw(4mallards this year)So my ? is (1) are the numbers wrong (2) Are they not here yet (AL) 3 I've even heard the government was covering up the numbers to keep people spending money ( personally I think that is horsesh** by the way that breaking news came from ARK) sorry yall had to catch that one . but MAN DO I FEEL BETTER Re: soap box I was feeling about like you wondering what the heck was going on then the new DU magazine came and there is a great article about the wetlands cycle in the newest issue.  Try and get it and read it look at all of the comments about the bird populati Re: soap box "Its hard to imaging mosquitoes hunting ducks for us CO folks.
man I hardly saw a skeeter all year, let a lone durring duck season.  Must SUCK IMMENSLY!!!

Shy of that, the ducks I believe are all in Canada from what I have heard from friends that have gone up there or live up there.  My first season kick arse, but 2nd and 3rd stunk worse than buck and me stuffed in a ziplock bag for a month with no shower.  

Hope things get better and there is a shift in weather and numbers for the future.
I wouldnt put it past the GVMNT but I think that would have gotten out long before now and had more people spouting off about it, like ME!!!  Who knows though

Wade

" Re: soap box "It has been slow in MS too, but Nowhere near as bad as last year.

I haven't been skunked yet (though I've come close), and all I have seen so far are Mallards, and the occasional wood duck, gadwall, and pintail.

Last year, I might have killed ONE mallard.  All I remember seeing was the much exalted Northern Shoveler!

We get a lot of action right at sunrise, then everything shuts down completely.  I'm not seeing any high migratory flights either, so I assume that the birds we're shooting are locals.  I expect that the large majority of birds still haven't made their way this far south.  It will improve eventually.  Hopefully before the season ends ;)" Just wanted to say hello......... Just signed up and wanted to say hello. I checked out alot of the posts before I signed up. Looks like a fun place to be. Nothing I like better than talking about calls. I think I will enjoy it here. Re: Just wanted to say hello......... Glad to see ya here James.  Stick around and teach us some things.   8) Re: Just wanted to say hello......... "Great to have you aboard.  Look out boys, sounds like we might have a pro here to teach us how its really done.

By the way, I think we should go on a recruiting drive.  Femal Call makers..... thats what this place needs....  some duck calling lovelys.  Maybe help arrange this place a little better.  You know, move the lamp, new curtains, a rug over there.....  HA!!!  Some days I should just stay at home huh?

Great to have you hear Foggy!  Teach us, we are eager to learn what you know, and eager to share what we know.

Wade
WEBFoot Custom Calls "Sexy-Pro-Staff"  Its hard to be this good looking when you are 5'2" and chunk in at 175.  But I do my best to not be too sexy.... :D


" Re: Just wanted to say hello......... Hey thanks guys. I am far from a pro. I'll be glad to lend my view to any discussion. I think we can all learn from each other. Everything I know I have learned the hard way. I have known several of the old makers and they didn't just volenteer alot when it came to making calls. Thanks for the welcome. Forum Upgrades "I upgraded the Bulletin Board code this morning.  If you notice anything that looks wrong, or experience any problems, please let me know.

Thanks.

Jason
" Custom Callmakers "Guys I can't go into alot of detail at this time but........ I know there is a publication starting up that is going to be pointed at the Waterfowl Community. I have suggested that there be a story or column on Custom Callmakers. Not the fellas having stuff made for them. But a story on the fellas that actually make the calls. One man, One call, One at a time. It would probably require the maker filling out a questionaire as well as sending in a call. What are you guys feelings and suggestions on this subject? I can also be reached at "FoggyBottomCalls@aol.com" if you want to write me there. Thanks. " wish me luck "I just got my Hut order so I now have reed material and cork ;D . So Tomarrow I'll try my first attempt at an Ark style duck call. From some of the posts I've read here its sounds part vodoo part luck, and I don't know any vodoo. So a little luck wouldn't hurt." Re: wish me luck "well more luck is needed as this mornings attempt was, well junk! I  had trouble as I tried to drill 1/4" hole first and then turned it out and it was out of round. I don't have the Jacobs chuck yet so I can't drill it on the lathe. Frustrating any ideas until I get the jacobs chuck." Re: wish me luck I have a drill press/vise set up that I use. Its hard to explain but I'll try.

After I turn the insert I have a jig I put in the vise on the press. Before I drill the insert..I check for center by drilling a piece of wooden dowel..then I cut the d Re: wish me luck The way I turn my inserts is to drill the 1/4 in. hole and the exhust hole at the same time on the drill press. Then to the lathe where I have a taper with 1/4 in. pin that is about the some depth as the sound channel hole. The insert is pushed on the pin and the tail stock of the lathe is turned up snug to the insert. The insert can know be tunered and the hole will always be in the center of the insert.
 Hope this will help
Winelake Re: wish me luck "Some folks don't like it as well as a lathe and a Jacob's chuck, but Hut Products sells a mandrel for inserts similar to what winelaketurner describes.  It has one end that fits in the lathe headstock using a collet.  The other end tapers down to a 1/4 pilot thats about a half inch or so long.

The mandrel comes in a set with a tapered spade bit (with a short 1/4 pilot) that matches the mandrel taper.  You just drill the blank to the desired depth in the, drill a taper to open the exhaust to about 3/8 or so, then stick the mandrel in the tapered bore and slap it on the lathe.  

I've used one with decent success and am usually dead center when trimming scrap in the jig." Re: wish me luck "Its tough, I used to do them by hand on the drill press. SO you can imaging what it was like.. for years

Good luck and you need to hold your mouth just right
Wade
" Re: wish me luck "Thanks for the advise guys I'll try again tomarrow  :o hope for better results. Wade look for a check in the mail soon, I just can't get the idea of a perfectly centered bore on the lathe out of my mind. In the meantime I'll have to try make me drillpress work or try rig 1/4" pin type mandrel for the headstock. I'll let ya guys know how it turns out. " Whats your favorite lathe tool for call making "Mine are 1" round nose scraper, 3/4" oval  skew, 1/8 " parting tool and modified 1/4" gouge. "