Finally!

[archerykid13]

Hey guys, I'm finally ready to start my pot call. I got my piece all ready to turn. I'll post pics of the blank when I get a chance. I figure I better make a thread just in case I run into problems.

Jake

[archerykid13]

Also, what do you guys think would be a good surface/soundboard combo? Im thinking slate over glass. Its a, walnut pot.

[jcz]

Slate over glass is a good way to start. Good luck with the turning.

[archerykid13]

Thank you. I thought so too but I thought I better ask. Ill post pics of my blank today. Its a nice looking piece of walnut. 

Jake

[Aaron at Wingerts Woodworks]

Jake since it is your first pot may I suggest doing a test run with a piece of wood that isn't all that attractive.  Your learning curve will be very steep on your first few calls and it would be a shame to have to put that beautiful piece of walnut on the shelf or in the trash can because something didn't go right.

Have fun and be sure to post pics!

[Waylon at JWT Custom Game Calls]

I agree with KC, I did the very same thing on one off my very first pots. It was my second one I think, still wasn't sure exactly what I was doing and what I wanted the shape of my call to look like.  Needless to say I have a very awesome looking piece of maple burl sitting on the shelf all because I messed up to bad to fix. Be sure you got it down before using all your fancy woods. And always take notes of your measurements, what you like and what you don't. Waylon.

[archerykid13]

So what wood do you guys recommend?

[Aaron at Wingerts Woodworks]

So what wood do you guys recommend?

Get yourself some maple, poplar, plain old walnut, anything you've got lying around that you won't be upset about when things don't go as smoothly as planned.  Even a chunk of 2x6 is ok for practice wood.  For the money, poplar's probably the best bet.  Most home centers have it in 1x thickness, and if needed you can laminate two pieces together with wood glue.  If you're experienced with turning end grain on the lathe you'll have an easier time, but if you're new to the lathe in general I think you'd be really wise to set that nice piece of walnut aside for when you're more experienced in turning and what makes a turkey call tick.

[archerykid13]

Alright. Thanks KC. Im still gonna post a pic of that walnut just because I think it looks so nice.

[archerykid13]

[Aaron at Wingerts Woodworks]

Nothing wrong with that piece at all, it'll look good as a call for sure.  But it is pretty average for black walnut so you can always get more like it.  I was thinking you had a really spectacularly figured piece of crotch walnut, curly walnut or something really wonky that was irreplaceable or expensive.  I say cut into it and make some shavings!!!!!   


I will say to do what you can to cut around the flat grain on the right side of the picture and try to use as much of the vertical grain (on the left) as you can.  I've found that the vertical grain is a lot more stable than the flat grain, and less likely to have movement issues that often plague walnut calls.

[archerykid13]

Alright. Thanks KC!

[archerykid13]

Well ive run into a problem. My woodshop teacher vetoed my pot project. So until I have enough to buy my own lathe I can't do a pot. So I was thinking of maybe trying my hand at a box call? I don't know though.

[Aaron at Wingerts Woodworks]

Not that it is any of my business, but why did he veto the project?????   

[archerykid13]

He said we don't have the right things to make it safely. I tried to talk him into letting me do it the way BigB does it with the homemade mandrel but he said no to that too. So I think I might do a box call.