Homemade slate/box calls

[mmgrode]

Hey Gang,
   well, now that deer season is over for most of us it's time to look ahead to turkey season.  I was curious if anyone could furnish a how to on building a slate call and box call for turkeys.  Seems like a nice winter project to build to alleviate some cabin fever.  Thanks Gang, Matt

[Pat B]

Someone did a build-along a few years back on making a round slate call.    Pat

[fatman]

there's a couple of threads in the "How-TO" section....

[pronghorn23]

Check out customsawing.com

They have kits with everything you need. I made a slate call a few years ago..turned out OK for the first time I guess. I hoped to make some more but put it on the back burner

[AkDan]

need some big forestner bits, and a drill press or two and a simple jig to hold your board for doing pot calls.  It's pretty dang easy.

I used a big hole saw to cut them out last time.  This year I'm going to give the router a try for better consistency.  

Also a small woodlathe would work well for doing pot calls.

Havent tinkered much with box calls.  I have attempted it and from everything I've tried, it's all in the lid and my lids STINK!  

[AkDan]

on 2nd thought I have to ask....is thread going to get locked up as it isnt stickbow related?   Seems to be a regular thing these days

[mmgrode]

Thanks for the info guys.  What is a "pot" call?Does it matter how thick the slate is?  Will this affect the sound at all?  Is there any trick to getting either of these calls sounding birdy? Hey, thanks for the help so far fellas, Matt

[AkDan]

pot call is a typical round slate call, like a primos or woodhaven.   The base looks like a pot, so hence the name pot call

The slate thickness WILL affect the tone quality, as does the distance it is from the bottom, number of holes, how far your sound board is from the slate (or how close it is) and how far it is from the bottom of the slate, not to mentoin the wood the pot is made of and the type of peg you are using.  

Lots of variables.

I did some zebra wood calls last winter, they pretty much all sounded really nice, but one....and it still worked fine.

Calling is rythm, not how well you sound.   Some turkeys are the most horrible sounding callin the woods.   Say the right words in the right context and at the right time, it wont matter!

Try it, you wont be dissappointed....   a hack like me can build them, anyone can.

[kennym]

Look over pronghorns link Matt!! Great link!!

 http://customsawing.com/BCDIRECTIONS.PDF

 http://customsawing.com/Friction%20Directions.pdf

[AkDan]

try wood blocks somewhere near 1/4" instead of a metal washer, sound is much gooder    

My first pots where like the 2nd link, they work no doubt!

[mmgrode]

Thanks guys!  How would cork also work for the washer?  Also, how thick should I go for with the slate/glass? Thanks again for the help, Matt

Dan- you must have those arctic turkeys up there in Alaska!  You know, the ones you need a backup gun for!    

[pintail_drake2004]

this is one i make when i can find the stuff. take a turtle shell, epoxy a piece of slate and use any striker you like.
beside the 2nd bow, above the shot bag.
 

[Dave Worden]

If you turn the body in a lathe, leave the center thicker than the edges and eliminate the washer.  All you're trying to do is lift the sound board off the bottom.  Be sure to not fit the slate or glass too tightly to the wood.  The wood expands and contracts and I have one with a broken glass that proves the contraction part of it!

[AkDan]

order the slate and glass from custom sawing.  It's all a experiment to see what sounds the best as for thickness's.   If you follow the washer technique described by them they will sound pretty good.   You'll know when you have a good slate when it turns over easy (from high to low on a yelp) and you can KiKi run on it.  

I dont think I'd use cork for the sound boards blocks.  Might act to much like a sound dampen'r?   Now there's great enlish for ya  

nice pic PT!