Sanding fluting?

[CJohnston]

Hell all thought I'd try to flute a  call, I was wondering how I would sand and polish the inside of the flute? Thanks!

[dogcatcher]

I need a pic of what you have done.  I use too many methods, each based on the design of the flutes that I have added, other wise I will be typing needlessly.

Marvin

[CJohnston]

I havent even attempted it yet. I thought about running a router off of a duplicator set up. I didnt want to start fluting and find out I cant sand and polish it lol

[Aaron at Wingerts Woodworks]

A dowel slightly smaller diameter than the flute wrapped in sandpaper should do the trick.

[Joe aka COLD @ J. A. Kolter Calls]

Ditto what Aaron said.  I use a dowel a little smaller than the cut in flute.  The only thing I need to add is that I start with a heavier grit and work my way through the smaller grits.  I start with 100 and end up with 400.

[Ryan@roosagamecalls]

i do the same with the smaller dowel and sand paper but i put the dowel in a battery drill and hold the call in my hand and go at it . it dont take much. the tricky part is a CA finished fluted call you will have a lot of time in it . then you wont get rid of it 

[dogcatcher]

You can buy these in grits through 400 and in sizes from 1/8" diameter to several inches. 


I don't use them in a power unit, the bands are mounted on a mandrel that is stuck in the end of a handle.  Make you handles comfortable, it takes time to do the sanding.  If you try a power unit it has be slow RPM or you won't get as smooth flutes as you can by hand. 

I cut my flutes, then I have a wood handle that these fit on.  I have one for each grit and I can go around an entire call, then pick up the next one and keep going until I am finished.  I also cut my flutes so that they come out of the wood, not a dead stop leaving the end rounded it slopes up.  Lot easier to sand them that way.   For each grit I run the sanding band from top to bottom in a smooth sliding motion, kind of twisting it as I push it in the flute.  An adjustable Panavise and holder helps or you can hold the call in your hand.   Find a pic of BigB's checkering cradle that is better than trying to hold it. 

Marvin