Going to start making squirrel calls and...

[Brian at DDT Game Calls]

Wondering what the best way is to mount on lathe? 1/2" pin chuck? Compression chuck?

[Two Creeks Calls]

Bite the bullet and get set up with a collet chuck and a 1/2 expanding mandrel. That set up with the rubber bushing and reed is so simple!

[spitfire]

Because I only plan on making a few of these calls I will be using a pin chick for mine. I would like an expanding mandrel but can't justify paying that much for only a handful of calls.

[VECtor Calls]

Because I only plan on making a few of these calls I will be using a pin chick for mine. I would like an expanding mandrel but can't justify paying that much for only a handful of calls.

You never plan on making deer call stoppers, or wood duck calls, or 1/2" insert duck calls, or predator calls either?   

Parker

[spitfire]

Deer yeah, others would be very very limited if at all.

Because I only plan on making a few of these calls I will be using a pin chick for mine. I would like an expanding mandrel but can't justify paying that much for only a handful of calls.

You never plan on making deer call stoppers, or wood duck calls, or 1/2" insert duck calls, or predator calls either?   

Parker

[Brian at DDT Game Calls]

Yeah, I think I will make me a pin chuck, gotta get this stuff to start paying for themselves!!

[spitfire]

Parker, can the expanding mandrels be used in a say a PSI Barracuda chuck rather than a collet chuck?

[VECtor Calls]

Parker, can the expanding mandrels be used in a say a PSI Barracuda chuck rather than a collet chuck?

First, I would ask Flint Hills about that.

Second, you would call that setup a seriousl "knuckle buster" and no way I would do it, even it it did work.   

Parker

[jcz]

Another cheap option would be to get a 1/2 dowel rod and make yourself an expanding mandrel. I use a wooden 1/2 expander and it does work. Just need to use the tail stock to keep it steady. The wood mandrel will give some and cause problems with out the tail stock.

[Donnie]

Parker, can the expanding mandrels be used in a say a PSI Barracuda chuck rather than a collet chuck?

You'll chew the shaft up on one of those high dollar mandrels doing that. I make whistles (just noise makers, not duck whistles) and make jamb/friction chucks out of bolts and use the pin jaws to hold them and they only last so long before I have to file them down smooth and that process adds to the run out so after 3 or 4 resurfacings I throw them out and use a new bolt.

[Braz]

Sure would like to see some pictues of what you make Donnie.

[Two Creeks Calls]

You can make them with a bottle stopper chuck as well!

[Jon @ JRwoods]

If it was me I would make a mandrel from dowel or wood.  If you only doing a few longevity of the tool isn't an issue. 
Most of us just need an excuse to buy a new tool/jaw/mandrel etc. 

[aprilheadhunter]

I made several using a wooden dowel for mandrel.  It works great for a few and then you have to cut a new piece of dowel.  Isn't that why they sell dowels in 3' sections. 
You have to use the tail stock for support when turning but when you open up the end or your sanding you can use scotch tape to make the mandrel a little over sized so it doesn't slide off.