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Turkey Calls => Box Calls => Topic started by: Chustzc on September 17, 2021, 07:13:56 PM

Title: Box call checkering ?
Post by: Chustzc on September 17, 2021, 07:13:56 PM
What are the best chisels to use for checkering a box call ? I am having no luck at it but I think most not all of the problem are cheap chisels


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Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: J Lacey on September 18, 2021, 09:06:20 PM
I use cheap chisels from Home Depot. Buck brothers brand. Three pack for $20.  Stanley's are good as well. Both sharpen well. Buy a work sharp chisel sharpener. 
Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: Chustzc on September 18, 2021, 09:06:53 PM



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Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: J Lacey on September 18, 2021, 09:31:25 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210919/d1eba3f8fc432b502bcb6f136e40374c.jpg)


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Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: Chustzc on September 18, 2021, 09:32:04 PM
Awsome hope I can get there


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Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: Chustzc on September 18, 2021, 09:48:09 PM
May I ask what sharpener you use ?


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Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: J Lacey on September 19, 2021, 02:48:13 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210919/4d7e077158484803c048611300fe2141.jpg)


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Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: J Lacey on September 19, 2021, 02:55:10 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210919/eabbee75794163782e7c20114b2b88fe.jpg)
It's really a mater of finding a method that works for you. And a lot of practice. Material makes a difference as well.  I still make a mess outta butternut. But give me a nice piece of mahogany or a solid piece of mineral poplar and I do well. Good luck.


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Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: Chustzc on September 19, 2021, 02:57:07 PM
Looks amazing.. so far mine come out looking like garbage but I'm gonna keep practicing


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Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: packmule on September 19, 2021, 09:07:38 PM
That is some fine checkering.
Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: EZ on September 20, 2021, 07:33:20 AM
Quote from: packmule on September 19, 2021, 09:07:38 PM
That is some fine checkering.

Sure is.
Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: culpeper on September 20, 2021, 09:19:48 AM
Jeff is right, just about any decent chisel will work and as well a good sharpener/sharpening method will too.  Having sharp tools, however, will not give you good clean checkering, that simply takes practicefrom your layout to execution...hours and hours of building box calls.  Actually, it can be theraputic and just another part of your building steps.
Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: Chustzc on September 20, 2021, 09:22:44 AM
Thanks guys my boxes are coming along nice need more builds but I definitely need to practice my chisel skills did a lot of research last night and learned a lot about them . 


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Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: culpeper on September 20, 2021, 09:31:58 AM
You will also find, as Jeff eluded, different wood will work great and others, not so great, just know that it's the wood not you.  We all from time to time get frustrated with certain wood species.  Just wait until you try checkering Bloodwood. ;)
Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: Chustzc on September 20, 2021, 09:37:14 AM
What is the best as far as trying to learn on ?


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Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: culpeper on September 20, 2021, 01:02:02 PM
For a body, it's hard to beat Honduran Mahogany and for a lid Black Walnut has been a proven winner.  Good luck and if possible show us some pics of your progress.
Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: Chustzc on October 01, 2021, 09:46:31 AM
Thanks guys your help has helped me get a good start I have new chisels and I sharpened them following some YouTube videos but what's the best angle for checkering in thing 20 deg?


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Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: gonehuntin982 on October 01, 2021, 01:31:20 PM
Chustzc, Most chisels are 25 or 30 degrees I have all mine sharpened at 30 degrees

Mike
Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: Chustzc on October 12, 2021, 08:44:20 PM
My first attempt how does it look ?

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211013/242498ec09c36199e755071281b20d7b.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211013/679a266c8e21cd6042fa3406cccf0f8e.jpg)


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Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: callmakerman on October 13, 2021, 01:53:12 PM
Looks good to me.
Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: gonehuntin982 on October 13, 2021, 04:53:56 PM
Really doesn't look bad for the first time !
I'm just glad to see someone willing to do the checkering by hand !!
Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: Chustzc on October 13, 2021, 04:59:29 PM
Yes hollowed the inside by hand also


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Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: Beards and Hooks on October 13, 2021, 07:17:55 PM
Quote from: Chustzc on October 12, 2021, 08:44:20 PM
My first attempt how does it look ?

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211013/242498ec09c36199e755071281b20d7b.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211013/679a266c8e21cd6042fa3406cccf0f8e.jpg)


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Looks good to me buddy!!
Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: Tarheel on December 09, 2021, 09:56:39 PM
A scrap piece of flat marble and a sheet of fine sandpaper will work for sharpening chisels, too....
Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: aclawrence on December 14, 2021, 03:45:50 PM
Since you only need one or two sizes I would go for some really good one. Maybe some Veristas with the pmv11 steel.


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Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: gonehuntin982 on December 15, 2021, 09:54:10 AM
Quote from: aclawrence on December 14, 2021, 03:45:50 PM
Since you only need one or two sizes I would go for some really good one. Maybe some Veristas with the pmv11 steel.


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Over the years I was able to find a box full of the old Stanley #60 chisels made in the 50s and 60s they are made with good steel and hold an edge very well I use a Work Sharp sharpener at 25 degrees I sent a two to Jeff Lacey I hope he likes them  ;D and Ive been ask a bunch of times when cutting the V on the checkering the bevel on the chisel is down!
Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: culpeper on December 16, 2021, 09:08:29 AM
Quote from: gonehuntin982 on December 15, 2021, 09:54:10 AM
Quote from: aclawrence on December 14, 2021, 03:45:50 PM
Since you only need one or two sizes I would go for some really good one. Maybe some Veristas with the pmv11 steel.


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Over the years I was able to find a box full of the old Stanley #60 chisels made in the 50s and 60s they are made with good steel and hold an edge very well I use a Work Sharp sharpener at 25 degrees I sent a two to Jeff Lacey I hope he likes them  ;D and Ive been ask a bunch of times when cutting the V on the checkering the bevel on the chisel is down!

If you looked at some fine, very well done checkering, could you tell if the bevel was up or down? ;)
Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: gonehuntin982 on December 16, 2021, 11:43:13 AM
Quote from: culpeper on December 16, 2021, 09:08:29 AM
Quote from: gonehuntin982 on December 15, 2021, 09:54:10 AM
Quote from: aclawrence on December 14, 2021, 03:45:50 PM
Since you only need one or two sizes I would go for some really good one. Maybe some Veristas with the pmv11 steel.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Over the years I was able to find a box full of the old Stanley #60 chisels made in the 50s and 60s they are made with good steel and hold an edge very well I use a Work Sharp sharpener at 25 degrees I sent a two to Jeff Lacey I hope he likes them  ;D and Ive been ask a bunch of times when cutting the V on the checkering the bevel on the chisel is down!

If you looked at some fine, very well done checkering, could you tell if the bevel was up or down? ;)

Scott I think if you ask call makers that hand checker you would get an answer if you want an answer from me it is YES
Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: culpeper on December 16, 2021, 03:56:58 PM
Mike, I did ask you.
I can tell you this, because I have watched other callmakers do it both ways, I too have checkered bevel down and bevel up, there is no way I can tell, except perhaps with a microscope so I can see how the cells were compressed.
Perhaps your eyes are better than mine. ;)
Title: Re: Box call checkering ?
Post by: trb136 on December 16, 2021, 06:22:29 PM
Quote from: culpeper on December 16, 2021, 03:56:58 PM
Mike, I did ask you.
I can tell you this, because I have watched other callmakers do it both ways, I too have checkered bevel down and bevel up, there is no way I can tell, except perhaps with a microscope so I can see how the cells were compressed.
Perhaps your eyes are better than mine. ;)
How the cells were compressed?? That's some funny  right there.  Mike could make a great call with a  rubber chisel!