THO Game Calls Forums

The Art of Handcrafting Custom Game Calls => Handcrafting Custom Turkey Calls => Topic started by: Rob_McFadden on February 14, 2017, 02:14:27 PM

Title: Blasting black anodized aluminum
Post by: Rob_McFadden on February 14, 2017, 02:14:27 PM

I have seen a lot of guys sandblast the color off of half of the black aluminum playing surfaces so the caller won't scratch through the black and make the call look like crap. I don't have access to a sand blaster but is there any commercial product I could use to get the same effect? I thought about etching cream?

Title: Re: Blasting black anodized aluminum
Post by: FDR on February 15, 2017, 11:34:02 AM

You might try one of these:

http://www.micromark.com/MicroLux-Mini-Sandblast-Gun-Set#?promocode=17WS015&leadsource=email&utm_source=Marketing&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=17WS015

I have one and it will work. Etches/cleans steel nicely. They are also available at your local hobby store.

Fred

Title: Re: Blasting black anodized aluminum
Post by: Scott Ashburn on February 15, 2017, 06:38:12 PM

For the life of me, I cant figure why one would do that.  Switch to an acrylic striker and throw the sand paper away.  Problem solved.  All you need is a little scotch brite, and very lightly at that.

Title: Re: Blasting black anodized aluminum
Post by: Rob_McFadden on February 16, 2017, 07:50:16 AM

Quote from: FDR on February 15, 2017, 11:34:02 AM

You might try one of these:

http://www.micromark.com/MicroLux-Mini-Sandblast-Gun-Set#?promocode=17WS015&leadsource=email&utm_source=Marketing&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=17WS015

I have one and it will work. Etches/cleans steel nicely. They are also available at your local hobby store.

Fred

Sweet I'm going to pick one up thanks!

Title: Re: Blasting black anodized aluminum
Post by: Rob_McFadden on February 16, 2017, 07:51:42 AM

Quote from: Scott Ashburn on February 15, 2017, 06:38:12 PM

For the life of me, I cant figure why one would do that.  Switch to an acrylic striker and throw the sand paper away.  Problem solved.  All you need is a little scotch brite, and very lightly at that.

I guess that's why they are called "custom" calls... Everybody does it a bit different.

Title: Re: Blasting black anodized aluminum
Post by: birddog1 on February 17, 2017, 07:43:03 AM

who carries the acrylic strikers

Title: Re: Blasting black anodized aluminum
Post by: FDR on February 17, 2017, 09:21:01 AM

Quote from: Dennis @ Duag Gone Calls on February 17, 2017, 07:43:03 AM

who carries the acrylic strikers

Custom Sawing has the acrylic dowels:

https://shipleysoutdoors.mysparkpay.com/striker-dowels.aspx
you will find them as an option on the drop down menu.
Fred

Title: Re: Blasting black anodized aluminum
Post by: Steve Soileau on March 15, 2017, 07:23:03 AM

I'm making a black anodized call with an image of a turkey lasered on the surface.  I bought some of the acrylic striker dowels from shipleys outdoors and have a question. 

Do I round the tip of an acrylic striker like a wooden one?

Thanks to all for the volumes of helpful information on this site.

Title: Re: Blasting black anodized aluminum
Post by: FDR on March 15, 2017, 06:52:03 PM

I round the tip on my acrylic strikers. I use my collet chuck and sandpaper the tip to shape.

Fred

Title: Re: Blasting black anodized aluminum
Post by: Steve Soileau on March 15, 2017, 10:23:02 PM

 :thanks: I just wanted to check before I did anything.  And thanks for the tip on using the collet chuck and sandpaper.

Title: Re: Blasting black anodized aluminum
Post by: Abe mccarty on April 29, 2017, 10:10:41 PM

I don't get this at all. I have not done this long and by no means am an expert but how long do you play it before the black wears off? I've made a few and the one for me has alot of hours on it and i just wipe it on my pants and the marks are gone.

Title: Re: Blasting black anodized aluminum
Post by: VECtor Calls on April 30, 2017, 10:33:59 AM

Quote from: Abe mccarty on April 29, 2017, 10:10:41 PM

I don't get this at all. I have not done this long and by no means am an expert but how long do you play it before the black wears off? I've made a few and the one for me has alot of hours on it and i just wipe it on my pants and the marks are gone.

I have a personal one, I think this is its 10th year of hunting. I have not broken through the coating yet.