Bocote Duck Call

[Ken Hill]

I figured I had better make a few calls so Keeton will leave me alone:D

This is Cocobolo with a CA finish

[Roger Chandler]

That is really pretty Ken.........now if the ducks like it as good as we do, then someone is going to have a duck dinner! :eek:;):D

[Ken Hill]

Thanks, and I screwed up, this is a Cocobolo call

[Ron Stadler]

Nice duck call, we had a turner join are club a few months back and all he turns is call and turns them quite well. But what is really amazing is how well he uses them, unbelievable.

[John Keeton]

Now, that is the Ken Hill I know!!!:D:D Nice work on this one - whether it is cocobolo or bocote!

[Ken Hill]

Haha yeah, well im so tired from cutting wood it could be most anything!

Man the new forum kills the images if directly loaded

http://kenhill.smugmug.com/Other/Calls/CMR4924/1126280116_csNwz-L.jpg

[John Keeton]

Ken, did you resize the original pics before uploading? I suspect that if they exceeded the maximum size, the software automatically resized them. That usually doesn't produce a very good image. I try to resize mine to about 1024x800, then compress them to 60-70%, depending on what it takes to get them to the max. file size.

[Ken Hill]

I run my resized images through an interpolation program that kicks dead or deformed pixels out, usually no issues except on certain websites. I always linked before, decided to try the new set up.

I will stick to direct linking to my gallery!

[Mark Hubl]

If it walks like a duck...Another nice one Ken. The second pic is definetly better. Your photo's always look great. I have noticed when you upload to your gallery it really compresses them down. I usually link to Flickr, but the collages I do are already really compressed. So the image quality is already compromised before it gets here.

[Rick Robbins]

you did a Great job on the call nice. Rick

[Ken Hill]

Thanks Mark and Rick.

Mark, when I resize, I have a program that I use that eliminates dead pixels or pixels that get irregular when resizing. When I have to send a batch of images to an editor, they need to be fairly crisp. Sometimes when I am just doing shots for my own use I get lazy. And thats what happened here, I re started my pc last night and it reset photoshop, so when I saved the resized image it defaulted to a type that doesnt preserve the editing I had done to protect the compression. I notice it immediatley when i see the image uploaded to my gallery but missed it when I uploaded through the forum.

I like crisp....btw Baxter, here are a few images from my backyard bird el-sanctuary LOL! I have to get started turning tops for my natural bird feededs and houses.
http://kenhill.smugmug.com/Other/Private-Gallery-2/CMR4854/1119497071_wmsPT-L.jpg
http://kenhill.smugmug.com/Other/Private-Gallery-2/CMR4834/1119496953_uNRgw-L.jpg
http://kenhill.smugmug.com/Other/Private-Gallery-2/PLV3190/1054733123_WU8ta-L.jpg

[Charles Bouchelle]

geat looking call. what CA method do you use? My son is turning some calls and wasusing poly but it is not too tough(for a call)

[Bernie Weishapl]

Really a great looking call and the finish looks really nice.

[Ken Hill]

Charles,I use thin ca, minimum of 10 coats then I let it dry for awhile, sometimes I dont get back to it for a few days. Then I start at 600 wet sanding to even things out, then go to 12,000 micromesh. Then I use 3M swirl remover and Hut Crystal coat as a polish. On a field grade call, I will only to 4 or 5 coats of ca but it still comes out looking like glass.

I do not use CA on all my calls as I really prefer to feel the wood and use Minwax Antique Oil and a wax then buff finish, and depending on the number of times I apply the MAO, I can get an incredible shine and gloss with that method as well, it just depends on the mood, the wood and if a customer has a particuliar want.

The oil finishes can be outstanding
http://kenhill.smugmug.com/Other/Calls/DSC4583/848880640_VqZBQ-L-1.jpg

Spar Urethane is a very popular finish for game calls as well, especially when dipped!

http://kenhill.smugmug.com/Other/Calls/DSC8947/864264760_9tLMu-L-1.jpg

[Mark Hubl]

Love the bird pics. My wife and I feed the birds all year long. The hummers are our favorites, but this year the chickadees had a bunch of nests and became almost family. The nuthatches are also super friendly. This year was also the return of the Jays. The west nile has really had it's way up here with a few species and the jays were one. Glad to see them back. We have one big momma cooper's hawk that loves the place as well. Oh well, circle of life you know.

[Baxter Smith]

Glad to see you are back to making calls and got some wood cut. It would be a shame to have to keep burning bowls just to keep warm!:D

Nice bird sanctuary pictures too!:)

[brian watts]

very nice as all ways..

[Charles Bouchelle]

That would be straight thin CA applied while on the lathe?And what do you apply it with? Thanks my son and I love to see the photos of your calls

[Ken Hill]

Yes, Thin CA

I use a paper towel ripped into strips then folded over several times. The width depends on the shape of the call. Also, do the detail stuff first (Lanyard grove, exhaust and mouth interiors)

Search this site and youtube for a myriad of videos, they really helped me. Alot of the videos will be about pens but the process is the same. I would practice on a few dowles first then rock on!