For years I would go through the process of buying a handful of mouth calls at my local sporting goods store to end up tossing all but one or two that I was happy with. The next season would come along and I’d have to buy two or three of the same call to find one that sounded similar to the same call I used a year earlier. I quickly realized that this wasn’t going to work and set out on a mission to learn how to make my own calls. This article will be a step by step guide to the call making process for those interested in building their own calls.
Materials Needed to Build Calls
Call Press or Jig
Tape Cutter (Optional). Can cut tape with scissors but is less consistent
Call Frames: Come in various frame sizes with the most commonly used being “small crowned adhesive”
Latex Reeds: Several thicknesses ranging from .004″ to .002″ and Proph
Call Tape: Needs to match the frame size you plan on using.
Sharp Pair of Scissors: For making cuts in the calls reeds.
Patience: You will likely throw away several calls at first until you find what call construction works best for your own mouth calls.
Step 1: Stack Latex
The first step in call making is to stack your latex (typically different thicknesses). While stacking your reed materials, the top reed/ first reed (typically the thickest reed material, is placed on the bottom of the stack with two lighter reeds on top. The spacing of the reeds is all personal preference but generally speaking:
First Reed/Top Reed & Middle Reed: Less Spacing
Middle and Bottom Reed: More Spacing
Tip: Once you have your reed material stacked, its a good idea to tack the reeds together at the edges using a sharp object or sewing tracing wheel. This will make sure that your reeds stay in the correct position until they are secured in the call frame.
Step 2: Bend Frame and Place in Call Press
Next, you will need to bend the frame along the point where you see the two notches cut. I typically bend the frame to the point where its produces a 60 degree angle and then remove the adhesive backing.
After the bend is started and the adhesive backing is removed, place the frame into the call press.
Step 3: Place Stacked Latex into Frame
With the mouth call frame now in the press, carefully place your stacked latex into the frame and under the clamp of the call press used to stretch the latex.
Step 4: Stamp First Side of Frame
Now that your mouth call frame and stacked latex is in the proper position in the call press, use to press to close the first side of the call frame. This will trap the latex between the frame on the first side.
Step 5: Stretch to Desired Side Tension and Stamp Second Side
After the first side of the frame is pressed and the latex is secure position adjust the press to its second location. When in the correct position, stretch the latex to the desired tension and stamp the second side of the call frame.
Step 6: Pull Back Tension, Stamp, and Bend Tab
Move the call press to the third and final position. Once done, pull the desired amount of back tension and stamp the call frame.
Tip: A good starting point for back tension is to pull enough that their are no wrinkle in the latex and it creates a small smile shape.
After the back tension is set, use the tab bender on the Feather Ridge Call Press to bend the tab of the frame closed. This will ensure that the frame and reed materials stay locked in place.
Step 7: Remove Excess Latex
Remove the assembled frame and latex. Using a pair of scissors remove the excess latex from the outside of the mouth call frame.
Step 8: Apply Call Tape
Once the excess latex is removed, proceed by applying the call tape to the frame of the call. Position the tape over the latex and frame precisely. Hold the tape by its edges to avoid fingerprints that could weaken its adhesion.
Step 9: Make Cuts in Top Reed
When I first started call making this is the part of making my own mouth calls I found the most challenging. But like anything, with enough practice, you eventually get the hang of it.
Generally speaking, any cut style in diaphragm calls starts will the “V” cut. This “V” cut is the building block that the rest of the common cuts are formed from.
Once you have the “V” cut in the top reed the different cuts of a diaphragm turkey call are made by:
Ghost Cut: Removing the center portion of the “V”.
Combo Cut: Removing the left side of the “V”.
Reverse Combo Cut: Removing the right side of the “V”.
The call we are making in this demonstration is a Ghost Cut call so we will remove the center portion of the “V”.
Step 10: Use Tape Cutter to Cut Tape
After we have the desired cut in the top reed of our diaphragm turkey call all that’s left is to use a tape cutter or pair of scissors to cut the half moon shape into the call tape. After the tape is cut, you have a finished call.
Wrapping Up
Turkey calls are like a musical instrument and by building calls you have more freedom to experiment to see what works best for you. Many hunters prefer to just buy mouth calls and their is nothing wrong with that. Heck their are some great call making companies out their. But if your super OCD about your turkey hunting equipment like I am, making your own calls can help you hone in on what works best for you to make the best turkey sounds.