prefered mandels for turning calls?

A

andrew chaffe

Active member
I am about to start making a some mandrels on my metal lathe to tun some more calls on my wood lathe, the question is what type should I make? I have been using a pen style with expanding urethane inserts but the big down side is every time you move the call it does not center the same so it makes it really hard to do anything creative.

I am looking at 3 styles;
Pin chuck
Jam Fit
Expanding with a set screw

Thanks
 
I use the jam style mandrel for a good part of my calls. I also use the expanding style with a set screw, but mainly just for finishing the inside of calls. And then there's the pen mandrel I use for predator calls. And I chuck all of them up for drilling prior to turning. So basically the answer to your question is they all serve a purpose in the callmakers shop. They're kind of like boats...you can't have just one.

Steve
 
Like I need more stuff to do, boatbuilder, decoy maker now I want to make some calls. Could someone out there detail the tools needed to get started ,including a lathe. Thanks
 
After the lathe it's mostly a bunch of little stuff. Go to youtube and look for videos on making calls and you will quickly see the tools of the trade. There are many items that are a matter of personal preference. For instance I have no interest in using a scraper when turning and typically reach for a roughing gouge and then a spindle gouge. Some guys like scrapers. Many different tool choices for each step and endless ways to accomplish making something that goes quack when you blow into it.
 
I greatly prefer the expanding mandrels, you can buy rod from onlinemetals.com, pretty easy to make your own. I use a collet chuck set (Beale) to hold the mandrels. Its addicting so watch out. Jim
 
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