My definition of proper backpressure, is giving the call the right amount of back pressure that'll give enough resisitance to produce rasp when blowing hard on the call. Too much pressure, and the call will be choked down from it's volume potential. Not enough pressure, and the call sounds like....well, a store bought elk call being passed off as a predator call.

As far as thinner bell on a distress call, it really doesn't make much of a difference on such a short barrelled call. I choose a wall thickness that's not heavy on the lanyard, but thick enough to resist generations of use.

I have the bells bored out, but two of them have separation rings in them (normal on horns). I had to fill them up with superglue and waiting for them to set, before testing them.

Good questions...

Tony

While the two of them are drying, I'm going to take Call 2 and start sanding it with the orbital sander. Again, I usually do these one at a time at this stage, so I'm trying to multi-task.

BRB...

Do the separation rings go through the entire wall of the horn or are they not that deep?

And when you glue them do you clamp them or just fill with glue and let dry?

what thickness mylar are ya useing?

Each seperation ring is different, some don't run deep, some run really deep. In the case of Call 1, it ran very deep. I filled it 1/2 up with thin superglue, then let it set. I filled it the rest of the way up, then filled it with a powder to build a solid bridge. Then covered it again with more thin superglue. In it's case, the powder I used was hippo ivory dust. It'll harden like a rock and be very solid.




I use 10 mil mylar for everything. I had to doublecheck the packing slip on it, as it's been 5 years since I ordered it. I had an 18" x 20 foot roll. I'm glad you asked, because now I see my roll is only 2 feet or so. Time to order a bunch more.

Tony

I just finished sanding Call 2 with the orbital sander. Here is the progress.

150 Grit


220 Grit


400 Grit



Time to retest it and make final toneboard adjustments, before buffing.

BRB....

Looking good, Tony.

Do ya keep hippo ivory dust on hand cause I 'am all out woonder if I could steal cup from ya.

Could you use the dust from sanding the cow horn to fill the seperation or does that not work as well?

I did some fine tuning on the toneboard. Part of building a custom call is getting to know your customer. This call is for Mark (SDCoyoteCaller). I know his calling style and the areas he's calling. He needs a call that's easy to blow, can handle a bunch of air, and has really good volume to reach the timbered draws that he calls to from the South Dakota grassy knolls.

Call 2 Sound Test Drive


Tell me what you think Mark. If you like it, I'll give it the "TT" engraving and start buffing.

Tony

I could use the horn dust (I have buckets of it) but the ivory is a much finer powder and really fills in good.

Tony

Mikeymike can't fake sick its his B-Day dinner. the big 27 hopefully thats right.

Buffing is complete on Call 2. I engraved my initials and filled them with white paint. Now it's time for a final buffing with a clean cotton rag and then 2 coats of lacquer.



Tony

Tony, are all of these custom orders or otherwise spoken for?