Shrinking and warping wood after you are finished turning

[Aaron J]

I recently purchased my first lathe and I have been playing around and just getting accustomed with it. After some research and common knowledge knowing how wood dries and moves over time I'm unsure of the best way to turn a turkey pot call. Common sense says that after you get the striker plate installed, over time either the slate would crack and/or the call itself could move and crack. How do you make a lasting call.

[Scott Ashburn]

Stabilize the wood first.

[David @ Mad Duck Game Calls]

The wood you use for calls should be DRY. That means below 10% moisture content. If your wood is dry, the movement will be kept to a minimum.

Also.... You HAVE to finish the calls with something to keep moisture out. If you leave a Pot Call un-finished on the inside, the moisture in the air (on those "dewy" mornings in the woods) will get into the call and can warp the wood enough to crack your surface.

[Aaron J]

So where would you be able to buy dried woods at? Iv never seen anything dried at a big box store. Also, what would you recommend for finishing the call so no moisture can get into the wood after it is finished

[David @ Mad Duck Game Calls]

There are a few good sellers in the "vendors" area on this forum.

For finishing, you can't beat the durability of Teak/Velvit oil. Both are extremely easy to use and leave a great looking finish. On pot calls, lots of guys like Tru-Oil, as well as Spar. It all depends on what you are wanting from a finish and how you want apply it.

[FDR]

So where would you be able to buy dried woods at? Iv never seen anything dried at a big box store. Also, what would you recommend for finishing the call so no moisture can get into the wood after it is finished

Another source is "Bell Forest Products".  They also have exotics and will tell you on their web site if the wood is dry.

[VECtor Calls]

Some quick thoughts. Your wood needs to be dry. Your pot needs to be finished inside and out, every little edge, and you need to cut your pot to accept your striking surface with an ever so slight gap. This allows for expansion and contraction rate differences between woods and the striking surface. You can keep moisture/humidity out of slate on a wet day. Its going to move. This is also why it is important to use a flexible glue (goop) for your gluing of surfaces and sound board.

[Aaron J]

Alright, I ordered some dry pot blanks off of a seller here on the forum. He was very helpful and informative. What is a good brand of adhesive you use for the slate?

[David @ Mad Duck Game Calls]

Plumbers goop from Home depot.

[VECtor Calls]

Goop is the only way to go. Plumber's or Household are both the same, just an ever so slight consistency difference.  I like Marine the best, but its not worth the cost.