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Machine Dust Collection Set-up

admin — Wed, 11 May 2016 19:08:28 +0000

I have received several requests asking for pictures of how I have my dust collection set up to each machine. I have posted them below so hopefully this will provide you with many idea’s regarding your own. Be sure to click on the pictures and also the enlarger icon located in the upper right corner to view in full screen mode.

BANDSAW

My Powermatic bandsaw came with a 4” dust collection port built into the back of the unit. While it catches a lot of the dust and debris from the materials that I use in making a duck call, it does not catch it all. As you will notice in the pictures I added a Stay Put Hose Kit and Stay Put Hose Bracket so that I can now capture a lot more that comes from the blade area on the top of the table. This works great and I am well pleased. I have also seen pictures where the hose was installed on the back of the bandsaw and the Stay Put Hose was routed over the top and down beside the blade. This will also work but be sure to purchase an extra Stay Put Hose Bracket.

DRILL PRESS

Like all drill presses, my Powermatic drill press did not come with any dust collection hook ups. I added the same Stay Put Hose Kit and Stay Put Hose bracket that I used on my bandsaw. This eliminates virtually 99% of the dust and debris that are generated while I am boring the holes into the body and insert of a duck call.

SANDERS

As you can tell, I really like having several sanders with various grit belts and pads when sanding the duck call. I have the dust collection designed so that I can restrict or increase vacuum pressure to each machine.

DUST COLLECTOR

I have been making duck calls for many years and in the past was limited to a small dust collector that only had one port. Therefore I would have to disconnect the hose from the unit every time I used a separate machine. Once my new shop was built, I researched every dust collection system known and finally landed on the CV 1800 LH 1P Cyclone Bundle with Filters from Clear Vue Cyclones. If I had it to do over again I would purchase the exact same system! It is powered by a 5 HP Leeson motor and has a 6” inlet that reduces down to the standard 4” at the machine. It definitely has more than enough suction! The folks at Clear Vue are awesome to deal with and were available by email and phone anytime I needed assistance. I highly recommend them!

Featured duck call of the month

admin — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 17:27:17 +0000

This hand carved antler duck call was made by Joseph Reinsch of Antoneous Calls. It is made from Moose Antler and Gabon Ebony wood.

How to make a duck call

admin — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 01:46:15 +0000

Learning how to make a duck call is something that is constantly gaining the interest of many wood turners, duck hunters and outdoor sportsmen. This art has been around for many years and while a lot of the techniques still remain the same or similar, there are also a lot of options available when selecting the material or the tools that are used. I have listed a lot of sources in our Suppliers Directory.

The most widely used material in the beginning was what I refer to as “common wood”. This was wood that was readily available from the natural surroundings of the call makers such as Oak, Cherry, Cedar and Persimmon just to name a few. Today there are a lot of exotic woods that are being used frequently for turning calls. African Blackwood, Bocote, Cocobolo and Purple Heart are just a few of the many that are readily available.

Acrylic is being widely used today for a lot of the duck calls whether they are handmade by a callmaker or manufactured by a major call company. They great thing about both acrylic and wood is that you are able to use the same tools for turning both of them. In this video tutorial, I use acrylic along with a Sorby round nose scraper, skew chisel and parting tool.

While learning how to make a duck call does require practice, this video tutorial will give you a great start!