Howler using my chuck "UPDATE"

[John_NY]

Here is my first howler using my collet chuck. What do you think? The wood is butternut.

John

[Al_at_THO Game Calls]

Not wastitng any time!  You got that one nice and thin - looking good!

AL@ THO

[crazy_cottontail]

Looks good John  ;) So how ya going about flaring the bell?

[John_NY]

Looks good John  ;) So how ya going about flaring the bell?

I just drill a 5/8 hole through the wood before I slide it on the 5/8 mandrel. The mandrel is short and only goes a third of the way or so  through a 6 inch call. I just swing the tool rest around to the end of the call and hollow it out with a chisel. Sure beats using the dremel. Well I say it beats it but I broke 2 calls today so I may use the dremel then smooth it up with the lathe and chisel. I'm so new with the mandrel I'm still not certain which way I can do it the best and easiest.

John

[Al_at_THO Game Calls]

You might want to consider this. 

Get yourself a step drill bit.  One of the big ones.  Drill out the end of the howler with it and then sand it smooth with a wood dowel and sandpaper.

Look at the tutorial on the fawn bleat  here    http://www.thogamecalls.com/PDF%20Tutorials/Turning%20Fawn%20Bleat%20Calls.pdf

and go down to page 4.  You will see the step drill bit and the way I sand the inside of a mouth piece.  It should work just as well on your howlers.  Just keep in mind to never get a step drill bit hot.  They run about 35 bucks each and if you abuse them, they do not last.   If you take care of them, you will  be able to drill well over 100 calls with one bit.

Might be something to take a look at anyway.

Al @ THO

[John_NY]

Thanks Al. That is one of the "I need" things on my list. I have read every tutorial you have posted. I'm just cheap. No I'm not cheap it's those low ball bidders on ebay who buy a few of my calls.  ;D  The only money I spend on call making comes from my calls. If I don't sell a call I don't buy anything. But it has worked good so far. I got my latthes and other tools as well as supplies from you. The only thing is when I started buying stuff I was selling antler calls. Maybe I should have invested the money in antlers. I think people liked my antler calls better than my kindling wood.  ;D 

John

[JThomas]

Nice one John.......DID you say antlersThese are over my head in my shop ;D How many calls do ya think we could get out of them?
Jeff

[John_NY]

Quit it Jeff, you're killing me. ;D     All I have left are a few pieces of powder white antlers that are older than the mastadon.  >:(  I don't know if you have looked lately but antlers are going for big money. I seen one shed awile ago "not even a set" just one side and the person wanted $1600.00 for the thing.

John

[JThomas]

Where and how.........My brother has just as many if not more than I do.............

[Braz]

John, I use a set from Harbor Freight. They probably won't last as long as those fancy ones Al uses but they are a whole lot less expensive.  ;D

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96275

[John_NY]

Jeff I check alot of places for antlers including ebay. Alot of antlers are cheap on ebay but usually the cheap ones are not big enough to make a decent howler from tthem. I like the big bases to get some good howlers.

John

[crazy_cottontail]

Hey John don`t knock the Dremel thats all i use LOL  I use the carving bits with what sounds like the same mandel setup your running i`ll try to get a couple of pics quick

[John_NY]

ok Rich:  I'll be looking forward to the pictures. That's the great thing about this site. It seems you can get 20 different methods to get to the same final result.

John

[crazy_cottontail]

Well john here ya go LOL








Then i sand from there. I carve it out while its spinning

[John_NY]

Thanks Rich: I like that. I'll give it a try with my next call. There are so many ways to skin a cat.  ;D 
Thanks again Rich.

John