I wanted to design my own wooden duck call because duck hunting has been a special part of my life. I got the idea because instead of buying $50-$100 duck calls, I asked myself "Why don't I make one." The purpose of the duck call is to call in birds during the hunt. With practice using duck calls, the function of the call is when you blow air through the wood blank, it causes the reed which is stuck under a small piece of cork, causing the reed to flap together making a duck sound. Also, with different techniques of diaphragm breathing caused by the person using the call.

Supplies

Supplies used:

1 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 3 inch wooden blank
Drill Press
Forstner Wood Drill Bit
Sandpaper
Wood Turning Lathe
- Wood Turning Tools
Reeds
Cork
Revolving Cone
Waterlox finish
Widiling Knife

Step 1: Step 1: Designing the Call

To start, I did a lot of thinking of how I wanted to design this call. I came up with particular design that I wanted to follow. Getting the supplies was next. I went to CraftSuppliesUSA.com to order the blank, reed, and cork. I also went to my local wood shop in Knoxville to get revolving cone and Waterlox finish.

Step 2: Step 2: Drilling the Hole and Sanding the Edges

I used a drill press to the cut a 5/8' hole in my blank using the forstner bit. Afterwards, I used a knife to widle the sides of my blank and sanded the side to smooth out the edges.

Step 3: Step 3: Creating the Reed

I ordered a reed making kit, which what I could've have done differently in this project was either make a separate reed with the lathe or create the reed within the call. I cut a piece of cork into the direct size and took the two reed flaps and stuck them in between the cork.

Step 4: Step 4: Forming the Call

Using the lathe in the wood shop, I took two revolving cones on each side and stuck the blank in between them. I then began to round off the call and formed the shape that I wanted using the lathe tools available.

First Duck Call Project - Step #4
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Step 5: Step 5: Staining and Sealing

The last step was staining and sealing the call. Using a waterproof transparent sealant and stain, I covered the exterior of the call in the solution. Wanted to use transparent sealant to show off the wood pattern.

Step 6: What I Could Have Done Differently

First, I could have used a different piece of wood. The wood gave me a couple of splinters and cracked when using the lathe. Could of used a piece of oak or redwood.
Secondly, I could've carved the call a little thinner and smaller. Too girthy around the ends of the call.
Grooves could have been a little deeper and blank could be more detailed.
Actually making a reed of a call.