THO Game Calls Forums

The Art of Handcrafting Custom Game Calls => Handcrafting Custom Predator Calls => Topic started by: VECtor Calls on February 07, 2008, 09:47:02 PM

Title: My first predator call
Post by: VECtor Calls on February 07, 2008, 09:47:02 PM

Well.....you guys finally inspired me last night to turn my first predator call.  Its got a 1/2" hole through it and I've inserted a JC Products Jackrabbit reed in a Pioneer 1/2" rubber sleeve. 

It doesn't have any finish on it, but it RUNS.   :D  MY WIFE HATES IT!  HAHAHA!  She thought she hated cow elk calls!

I had no idea how much of a difference it would make by boring out the end.  I showed how a did mine in the second picture.  Its bored out a lot more than what it looks.  I don't know if I'll try to get rid of more on future calls or not.   

I have not put any finish on it yet.  I was wanting to play it too bad!

Hope you guys enjoy.  Remember its a first before you rib me TOO hard.   ;D

Parker

(http://www.missouri-whitetails.com/data/500/predator_call_2_6_2008.jpg)

(http://www.missouri-whitetails.com/data/500/predator_call_1_end.jpg)

Title: Re: My first predator call
Post by: Braz on February 07, 2008, 11:01:31 PM

Looks good to me. I would make a couple of suggestions. The lanyard groove need to be a bit deeper, in my opinion, to be sure the lanyard doesn't slip off. And the bell needs to be more defined. Again, my opinion. There are a lot of posts regarding this aspect of calls, and some have even shown that if you drill a 1/4" hole the call still works well. And it does. But the back pressure and just overall ease of blowing seems to be better , for me, if the hole is drilled out more. I personally use a 5/8" hole and then bell from there. In some cases, I may even use a 3/4" hole. But on a smaller piece, then 1/2" works fine. But I still like the end belled out in a nice looking flare. Just think it looks better. Sound better? Heck, I can't prove it, but I know it LOOKS better. But overall, a nice looking call.

But I'll be darned if I know what a 1/2" pioneer rubber sleeve is. Most of us use the reed sleeve made by JC Products. Got a picture of the rubber sleeve?

Title: Re: My first predator call
Post by: crazy_cottontail on February 07, 2008, 11:21:55 PM

Got me curious on the reed sleeve too. Good looking shape to the call. I`ve played a little with really opening up the bells on calls. Now i kinda settled back to making them a little thicker (Got one to under a 1/16 thick wall in black walnut. sounded good but i was just playing cuz i knew it wouldn`t be durable enough.It was fun making it and the finished product was insanely light)

                                                                         Later

                                                                            Rich

Title: Re: My first predator call
Post by: dogcatcher on February 07, 2008, 11:39:46 PM

I think it like the Hut Products reed assembly.  The rubber bushing and the reed fit in a 1/2" hole.

Marvin

(http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/CatclawCreek/CALLPHOTOS10-07056_800x600.jpg)

Title: Re: My first predator call
Post by: Braz on February 08, 2008, 01:24:57 AM

So that is what he was talking about. I have never gotten the Hut kit and didn't know what it was. That is an interesting reed holder.

Title: Re: My first predator call
Post by: Homochitto Hollow on February 08, 2008, 07:02:46 AM

Those rubber sleeves are the best thing ever made!

Title: Re: My first predator call
Post by: Al_at_THO Game Calls on February 08, 2008, 07:08:40 AM

Bah Humbug.

Use a reed sleeve and be done with it.  Allows for easy reed replacement or removal for tuning.

Cost is like a buck for a reed and sleeve vs 2.50 from Hut.

Al @ THO

Title: Re: My first predator call
Post by: Homochitto Hollow on February 08, 2008, 07:32:55 AM

What size hole do the reed sleeves take?

Title: Re: My first predator call
Post by: VECtor Calls on February 08, 2008, 08:33:58 AM

 :o  Ut oh!  I see I've started a fire here!   :o

Marvin has the photo correct!  I appreciate him doing that so I didn't have to run around getting the camera and such! 

HUT sells them, yep.

Parker

Title: Re: My first predator call
Post by: rwehuntn on February 08, 2008, 10:19:29 AM

Nice call Parker.
I agree with Braz, maybe a little deeper lanyard groove. Do you glue that reed system in or is it a friction fit? never used one of those before. What kind of wood is that? Looks like a laminate. Keep it up.

rwehuntn

Title: Re: My first predator call
Post by: dogcatcher on February 08, 2008, 10:27:04 AM

I personally do not care the Hut system, but my curiosity made me buy them.  For some calls I still use them, a little pricey but it makes for a different option on making a call.

Marvin

Title: Re: My first predator call
Post by: VECtor Calls on February 08, 2008, 10:37:46 AM

Its a friction fit. 

The wood is colorwood from a gun stock blank.  i've got some other colors floating around too, but this one was already cut into a call blank, and I needed a break from making deer grunter stoppers.   ;D

Parker 

Title: Re: My first predator call
Post by: rwehuntn on February 08, 2008, 10:45:35 AM

Parker,

You should not cut your gunstock up for calls, it gets expensive ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: My first predator call
Post by: VECtor Calls on February 08, 2008, 11:21:36 AM

Quote from: rwehuntn on February 08, 2008, 10:45:35 AM

Parker,

You should not cut your gunstock up for calls, it gets expensive ;D ;D ;D

 ;D  I'm out of trees in my front yard.  It was either start on guns, or the house frame. 

(  ;D  Telling where your wood supplies come from is like kicking yourself in the teeth.   ;D )

Parker