THO Game Calls Forums
The Art of Handcrafting Custom Game Calls => Handcrafting Traditional Reelfoot Duck Calls => Topic started by: LagrueCustomCalls on November 18, 2017, 06:49:30 PM
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Built my first (and not last!) Reelfoot Metal Reed call today. With a lot of help from Benny, Ryan Roosa and some of the tutorials on this forum, I was able to build a very nice call.
This one runs very nicely. I ran my first metal reed back in the late 90's at Reelfoot. I was hooked. Made friends with a few of the makers that I met at the show each year and learned as much as I could about the construction of the calls and how to run them.
Much of my process looks like the process detailed in Benny's great tutorial. I used a Dremel to hand cut the tone channel on this call as I still need to make a good jig to hold my router. Reed is hand cut stainless. I don't figure on making enough calls yet to warrant a proper punch tool. I guess the rest of my process came from my years of making Arkansas style calls.
As for dimensions, the bore of this call is 11/16" which is the bore of an Arkansas style call I make so I can use the same custom mandrel. I think it also makes for a metal reed that blows somewhat in between an Arkansas style call and a 3/4" bore Reelfoot call. Some of my exhaust design is actually straight from my regular 5/8" bore Arkansas style call. Gambled that it would work and I nailed it.
My reamer is a chair style reamer that I made from persimmon (thanks Benny). I tested a few different grinds on the blade before I got that right.
Curly maple and African Blackwood. I'm really happy with it!
(https://preview.ibb.co/g9D0V6/20171118_170152.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mvidHm)
(https://preview.ibb.co/jTuJHm/20171118_170127.jpg) (https://ibb.co/c0NSA6)
(https://preview.ibb.co/cqj2cm/20171118_165845.jpg) (https://ibb.co/m5HNcm)
(https://preview.ibb.co/gQam3R/20171118_165806.jpg) (https://ibb.co/b0VKOR)
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That is sure a lot nicer than my first call. Maple is one of my favorite woods. Like that you also included the jig and reamer.
Fred
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Absolutely great. I am glad that you have made one and after you make that first one you will keep making them.
A fine looking first call and I am glad that I may have had some influence on you getting started.
Always look forward to talking to you and your posts.
Happy hunting
ben
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Beautiful work all the way around!
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Love it! Great photography too.
AL @ THO
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Very nice call! And I really like the handmade jig and reamer.