Love Hate Relationship

[Jason at JTCCalls,]

I love my expanding Mandrel and Collet system
I hate that i over tighten it more times that not when flipping the barrel around and crack 2 for every 1 i get completed.  I know its my own fault and i should take more time but it is just frustrating,

On the other hand, i am having fun making crow calls for a change of pace.

Jason

[Braz]

I have to say I've had my expanding mandrels for maybe 4 years or so and have NEVER cracked a call. Why are you cranking down so much? I often times just slip the call on a slightly expanded mandrel so I can turn the end. This is on my double reed predator calls and I have no way to tighten the collet. I drill the end and turn the call, all without worrying about tightening. Takes a light touch, but that's how you should be turning anyway.

[Andre's Wood Works aka: TheDecoyDude]

Yep, I totally agree with Braz. I've only cracked one call using the expanding mandrel and it was my first try with it (and it was too thin of a barrel at that). You really shouldn't be horsing the wood to need to tighten it so much... Turn fast and take little bites at a time, at least until you got the corners round. Slow down and think about what you're doing at all times, it could save a finger or a barrel Hope you figure it out ~Andre

[BigB]

Are you cracking it when you are sliding the call onto the mandrel, or when you are tightening the set screw on the mandrel?

Brian

[Jason at JTCCalls,]

I am turning them kind of thin and then when i turn the barrel around, when i tighten the screw, i crack the barrel.  I am just afraid to not have ot tight and to thrown the piece.  I guess form what i have read, i don't need to tighten it much at all.

Jason

[jcz]

It doesnt take too much to hold the blank. You dont have to worry about throwing it, just if you hog the wood it may spin a bit on the mandrel but thats easy to fix........ lighten up with the chisles a little. 

[VECtor Calls]

I double check my tightness EVERY SINGLE time.  Well, actually triple check if it ends up being too loose.

I pretty much want to be able to take ahold of the headstock in one hand, and the barrel in the other, and be able to ALMOST turn it when pulling in opposite directions.  That's the easiest way to make sure you won't crack a barrel. 

If you still crack it when you're doing this, I'm gonna have to agree, and say you're just getting too thin, and that's not good for the durability of your barrel over time. 

Parker