THO Game Calls Forums

The Art of Handcrafting Custom Game Calls => Handcrafting Custom Predator Calls => Predator Call Making Tutorials => Topic started by: BigB on October 19, 2008, 05:19:57 PM

Title: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: BigB on October 19, 2008, 05:19:57 PM

Anybody know where I can get a metal JC reed installation tool?  I'm tired of bending those plastic junk ones.


Thanks,
Brian

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: Braz on October 19, 2008, 05:56:33 PM

Brian, I make insertion tools from wood dowels. I just use a 1/4" down, and sand down about an inch on one end. That end can fit into the sleeve with no problem. The other end can be used to push the sleeve in. Cheap to make, and if they get too bad, just toss it. I make up a handful at one time, and just keep them in the box with the reeds and sleeves.

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: dogcatcher on October 19, 2008, 06:45:34 PM

Brian sending you an email.

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: BigB on October 19, 2008, 07:45:30 PM

Thanks Marvin.

And Braz, I never thought of making some out of a dowl rod.  I just may have to try that great idea.


Brian

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: Braz on October 19, 2008, 08:49:33 PM

Just thought I would toss up a quick picture of what I am talking about. You can see by just hitting the end of the dowel on the sander very quick like, you make a nice little insertion tool.

(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d169/alpenliter/P1010006.jpg)

(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d169/alpenliter/P1010005-2.jpg)

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: Al_at_THO Game Calls on October 19, 2008, 10:01:52 PM

You know, you can go to Home Depot and buy 1/4" aluminum and make one with a file or a grinder or even a belt sander and have one that will last a long time.   

Or, you could just use the back end of a bic pen. 

AL @ THO

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: Braz on October 19, 2008, 10:34:20 PM

I didn't know you can get 1/4" aluminum dowels at HD. I'll have to check that out. Good tip Al.

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: Kuipdog on October 20, 2008, 12:56:02 PM

I used a brass cleaning rod from a gun cleaning kit that broke.

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: Al_at_THO Game Calls on October 20, 2008, 03:22:22 PM

That's a great idea too.  I would try that, but all I have now are bore snakes, and that would be like trying to shove a wet noodle in a gooses butt - so much for technology

Al @ THO

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: builderone on October 20, 2008, 04:35:40 PM

That was a good one Al. ;D ;D ;D ;D
Chad

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: VECtor Calls on October 20, 2008, 06:32:02 PM

I use a bic also.  Its the only thing I could come up with around the house before I had one of the red tools, and once I got one, I liked the big better.

Parker

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: Kuipdog on October 21, 2008, 09:36:52 AM

Al, that just isn't right!!
Funny, but not right!
Kuipdog

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: Al_at_THO Game Calls on October 21, 2008, 09:59:58 AM

 :o

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: Braz on October 21, 2008, 08:58:35 PM

Went to Home Depot today and bought a 3' piece of 1/4" aluminum rod. Brought it home and cut some 3 3/4" pieces. Put them in my collet chuck and turned down the last 1" of it to fit inside the sleeve. Wow, that was easy. Just used the flat blade scraper to turn it down. No problem at all. Hit the end with a bit of sandpaper to remove all burs, and then proceeded to toss all my 1/4" wooden ones.  ;D  Al, that was one great tip.

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: HaMeR on October 21, 2008, 10:04:10 PM

I don't make calls so don't laugh too hard at me.  ;D  Isn't this tool for pushing the reed sleeve in VS the actual reed itself?? Or am I just in outer space from all the pen dust I've been breathing.  ;D ;D

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: Braz on October 22, 2008, 01:23:37 AM

Well, yes, that pen dust is affecting you. We have been talking about that. However, that aside, you raise a good question.

The tool is used for putting the sleeve into the call from the mouth end. And then, after the sleeve is secured in the call, usually with a drop or two of CA, the tool is then used to push the little tone board in, again from the mouth end. Later, when the tone board develops problems, or you just want change voices, you use the tool from the exhaust end to push the tone board out.

That is the reason that the 1/4" tool, with a step sanded into it, as shown in the picture, works so well. The larger end can be used for pushing the sleeve in and also for pushing the tone board in. Then the small, sanded end can be inserted into the sleeve for removal of the tone board.

Now, lets get back to that pen dust and what it is doing to that brain of yours!  ;D

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: Al_at_THO Game Calls on October 22, 2008, 07:24:57 AM

You know, this gives me a thought.  I saw a call maker on PM do something like this years ago and thought it was neat.

But say you have a really nice call, a collectors series call or just something special, and you wanted to dress it up even more, you could get some 1/4" brass, and make an insertion tool, and include it with the call and a couple extra reeds for the customer.  A nice little touch for that special call.

Al @ THO

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: Braz on October 22, 2008, 12:28:09 PM

Kind of a cool idea. I'll have to keep that one in mind.

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: Al_at_THO Game Calls on October 22, 2008, 12:39:54 PM

It was Nikonut on PM that did it a long time ago.   That's where the idea came from


AL @ THO

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: dogcatcher on October 22, 2008, 12:59:56 PM

I used to make them and give them away, but that was back when I was making calls mostly for friends.  I would be leery of sending them out to just anyone, there are too many people that would lose the reed and the replacement costs could become quite high.  Some of my local people still get one, but that is an exception rather than the rule.  I will try to post a picture of mine later, from the description it sounds like it looks like the one Braz made, but with an additional smaller tip to hold the reed when it is removed.

Another thought would be the ones that have read about blading the reed, I would be willing to guess that there would be a number of reeds ruined because of the blading being done by beginners.  How many reeds will we have to replace because of their mistakes?  I foresee a nightmare being created.

Marvin

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: Al_at_THO Game Calls on October 22, 2008, 01:12:33 PM

At least one commercial company makes reed replacement kits with a tool.  You get a couple reeds and the tool for like 10 bucks.

Some call makers send out, or used to send out, different reeds with their calls.

It's easy enough to send a call with a couple reeds, and include an insert that replacement reeds are available for $1.00 each from the maker.

But I understand the posabilities.  I once had a guy drop a crow call on his driveway and insist that I make him a new call because the end chipped off.  Same guy had a call for a couple years and the reed fell out and he posted that I made a lousy call.

I asked him if he ever checked the action screw on his rifle, because it was obvious to all concerned that there was a screw loose somewhere.


AL @ THO

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: dogcatcher on October 22, 2008, 01:20:16 PM

I would have sent his money back on the first incident.  Dealing locally I can pretty well "weed" out the "problem" children, it is the "idiots" on the net that can screw us over.  But they soon build their own "reputation" as buyers even on the net and can be "weeded" out.

Marvin

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: Braz on October 22, 2008, 01:24:01 PM

A few months ago, on my local forum, a fellow asked about getting some additional reeds. I said i could provide them for a nominal cost. The discussion continued and someone asked how a reed is put into the call. I did a short pictorial of how it is done. I only had, if I remember right, 2 guys ask for, and receive, extra reeds. And we have, at a recent count, 1400+ on the forum. I just don't think it is something that a lot of folks are interested in. Just my opinion. However, that said, I like the idea of doing it as something special for a collector call. I am getting ready to put a call up for auction on my local forum, with the money going back to the forum owner, and I may just have to include that idea. I think it is a good one.

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: dogcatcher on October 22, 2008, 02:35:04 PM

Here is the one that I use. 
(http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/CatclawCreek/Calls%20posted/001_640x480-8.jpg)

This shows it removing a reed. Notice how the tip holds the reed, makes it easier when changing out reeds, as they don't fall when the come out of the call and you don't have to grab hold of the fragile reed.
(http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/CatclawCreek/Calls%20posted/002_640x480-10.jpg)

It will also remove the glued in sleeve if you tap it on a hard surface while stuffed up the exhaust end.  For that job I usually use a different version, it is a rod that has a block on it.

Marvin

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: Braz on October 22, 2008, 09:04:15 PM

Marvin, I like that little tip you put on yours. I'm going to have to modify mine that way. And yep, mine look exactly like yours except for the little tip.

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: HaMeR on October 23, 2008, 06:35:39 AM

Thanks Braz!!  ;D ;D  And about that pen dust affecting my brain,,, well lets just say there wasn't much to work on to start with!!  ;D

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: Hawks Feather on October 24, 2008, 03:17:17 PM

I am glad that this topic got started.  I have broken several of the JC Products reed tools over the years and have thought for a long time that I should take the time to make one out of metal.  So I guess I put it off long enough and today decided to see what I could do.  This one is made from aluminum, but I also picked up some brass and may have to make one from it as well.  I did the flat end like the JC Products tool since I have been used to working with those and also added a couple of cut rings on the other end where I normally want to stop pushing when installing the sleeve.

Jerry

(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y274/JLx220/ReedTools.jpg)

Edited to include the brass tool that I just finished.

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: Braz on October 24, 2008, 04:14:32 PM

Looks good Jerry. I have never used the flat end for anything, so didn't put it on mine. I do like the idea for the other end, to give you an idea of when to stop pushing the sleeve in. I may have to modify mine to include that when I make the Marvin tip.

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: Braz on October 24, 2008, 07:06:20 PM

Jerry, how did you make the flat on the end. Did you just file it or do you have a milling machine?

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: Hawks Feather on October 24, 2008, 10:14:16 PM

Started with a 1" belt sander and then a file.  Just take your time and it is pretty easy to do.

Jerry

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: Lonehowl on October 25, 2008, 05:37:05 PM

Heres one from me. Brass, non stepped. BTW, the plastic ones you buy now are the newer style, the old style (from JC) was made of aluminum. You can still get those from Dan Thompsen. I think he still has kits available.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3066/2971930951_33374d1b2b.jpg)

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: BigB on October 25, 2008, 05:41:29 PM

Dan Thompson's website is currently down.  I think the only way to get his kits is through allpredatorcalls.com's website.  The kit is about $11 + shipping for the tool and 4 jc reeds.


Brian

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: Lonehowl on October 25, 2008, 05:47:59 PM

Yep, yer right. Hope Dan didnt stop makin calls.

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: VECtor Calls on April 21, 2015, 08:08:55 PM

Another good older thread David found for saving.

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: Rick Howard on April 21, 2015, 10:29:42 PM

David needs a new title tag.  "Master of Archives"

Title: Re: Metal JC reed installation tool
Post by: David @ Mad Duck Game Calls on April 22, 2015, 08:27:04 AM

Quote from: Rick Howard on April 21, 2015, 10:29:42 PM

David needs a new title tag.  "Master of Archives"

LOL!!!! That would be SWEET! :D