Making a Two Piece JC reed call or Why I like a long bed lathe. Warning!

N

ninthinning

New member
I edit this post to warn others not to cut the antler like I did in the third photo.

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Got a bargain on the bullet shot moose antler.

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The bullet shattered and cracked the bottom half of the antler billet.

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Cut the base off. Used a board to raise billet for square cut. Never do this, I nearly lost my hand cutting an antler like this.

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Drill shallow hole for tail stock.

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Turn to rough round.

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Moose antler is very hard and requires very sharp tools. Hit the grinder nine times while turning this call.

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Just enough material that isn't cracked

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This is why I like a long bed lathe. This set up drills the longest straightest best centered holes.



 
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Looking good

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Rough shape with large scraper.

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Call body taking shape.

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Cut lanyard grove.

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Measure brass stock.

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Measure while turning.

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Basic shape before sanding.

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Flare the mouth piece a little.

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Parts ready to be cut off.

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Ivory acrylic and brass will finish the call.

 
Eric,
What size hole did you bore? And, are you using that acrylic to connect the two pieces and hold the reed sleeve? I like the step by step illustration. I've not turned any antler yet, but have some good size elk pieces for a rainy day.

Mike
 
Really cool Eric! Good demo. Lots of expense in a moose antler piece... I know only too well! But it's worth it!

I hate cutting it on the chop saw, raising it on a block is a great idea. I've gone to cutting all mine with very sharp hand saws in the vice. I stopped a 12", 1hp chop saw short and broke a tooth off the blade with a moose antler base once. Numb fingers, had to look and make sure they were all there! Been hand sawing Moose ever since.

Great sequence! Gives your call some provenance!
 
Mason_Jarr, I drilled a 3/4" hole all the way through the antler. The cast acrylic rod is also 3/4", drilled and fitted with a JC reed. This is glued to the exhaust and inserted into the larger body.

Rainshadow, Thank you. Your work was my inspiration.

berettaman, Moose antler is nearly as hard and dense as ivory.

DesertDawg, Love this internet photography, brings out the artist in me.

Weasel-UT, This one actually hurt to sell, I really wanted to keep it for myself.

Thank you,
9th
 
Eric... you are a master! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowingsmilie.gif That has to be one of the "cleanest" looking calls I have ever seen! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
 
Ninth, this was an awesome post! Very informative, really shows the work and technique you put into call making. The things you guy's can do on a lathe amazes me. Beautiful call!
 
Mike,
Here is a picture of the acrylic insert in a finished call. This set up makes changing JC reeds easy while hunting, nice for changing pitch.
Eric

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The insert into barrel fit is good and tight, nice solid unit.
 
I return to this post as a warning to other call makers. Rainshadow wrote above how dangerous cutting moose antler on a chop saw is. The first 10 moose antler calls I cut on the chop saw went fine. Last night I was cutting number 11 and half way through the cut BANG! The antler smashed my hand and flew straight into my face protector with such force it knocked my helmet off my head. My hand has some nasty deep cuts and is pretty much numb. I'll be alright but it could have been really bad. Now I will be cutting all future moose antler with a hand saw. The way I say to cut the moose antler in the above picture is wrong and dangerous. And foolish after having been warned.
 


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