Crafting the Perfect Turkey Call Box: A Comprehensive Guide

The allure of the wild turkey, with its majestic strut and haunting gobble, has captivated hunters for centuries. And what better way to entice this wary bird than with a handcrafted turkey call box, a testament to your dedication and skill? This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of creating your own turkey call box, from selecting the finest materials to achieving that perfect, lifelike gobble.

Materials and Tools: Gathering Your Arsenal

Prior to starting this adventure, make sure you have the required equipment and supplies on hand. Here’s a checklist to get you started:

Materials:

• Mahogany (for the box)
• Birch (for the box ends)
• Purple Heart (for the paddle)
• Birch and mahogany (for the bottom)
• Wood glue
• Polyurethane finish
• #8 1 ¼” wood screw
• Coil spring
• Cotton balls
• Sandpaper (various grits)
• Razor blade
• Wood stain (optional)
• Box call chalk (optional)

Tools:

• Table saw
• Band saw
• Drill press
• Sander
• Chisel (optional)
• Pocket knife (optional)
• Clamps
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Safety glasses
• Dust mask

The Art of Design: Choosing Your Wood

The choice of wood plays a crucial role in the sound and aesthetics of your turkey call box. For the box itself, consider softwoods like mahogany, butternut, walnut, cherry, cedar, or poplar. These woods offer excellent resonance and workability. For the paddle, opt for harder woods with a straight grain, such as maple, walnut, cherry, purple heart, zebrawood, osage, or yellow heart. These woods will provide durability and a clear, crisp sound.

Cotton Ball Test: Unlocking the Secrets of Grain

The cotton ball test is a simple yet effective way to determine the ideal grain orientation for your paddle and box. This test helps ensure that the paddle and box vibrate in harmony, producing the desired sound. Here’s how it works:

1. Place a cotton ball on the surface of your chosen wood for the paddle.
2. Gently blow on the cotton ball. Observe the direction in which the cotton ball moves.
3. Repeat the process with the wood for the box.
4. If the cotton ball moves in opposite directions on the paddle and box, you’ve found the ideal grain orientation.

Construction: Bringing Your Vision to Life

Now that your supplies and equipment are ready, it’s time to create your turkey call box. Follow these steps meticulously to ensure a successful outcome:

1. Cut the box: Begin by cutting the mahogany and birch pieces to the desired dimensions for the box. Glue the pieces together, ensuring a secure bond.
2. Shape the box: Use a band saw to create the arch on the top of the box and the angled sides. Aim for a 5-degree angle for the sides, maintaining a bottom width of approximately 1 inch.
3. Inlays (optional): If desired, add decorative inlays to the box using contrasting wood. Use a table saw to create the mortises for the inlays and carefully glue them in place.
4. Checkering (optional): Create a unique checker pattern on the sides of the box using a razor blade. This step is not only aesthetically pleasing but also enhances the sound quality.
5. Sound chamber: Hollow out the interior of the box to create the sound chamber. Use a 1/2″ forstner bit to remove material, leaving a thickness of around 3/16″.
6. Channel: Create a channel at the rear of the box using a sharp knife, sanding disk, or wood file. This channel will accommodate the paddle.
7. Paddle: Cut the paddle from your chosen wood, ensuring a width of 1 5/8″ to 1 3/4″. Shape the handle and add any desired inlays or wood burning designs.
8. Box bottom: Glue together a 1/4″ thick piece of birch and 1/4″ thick mahogany ends to create the box bottom. Cut it to size after the glue has dried.
9. Paddle radius: Create a smooth radius on the bottom of the paddle using a sander or belt sander.
10. Drill holes: Drill a hole in the paddle for the screw and countersink it for a flush finish. Drill another hole at the front of the box for the spring.
11. Round the edges: Use a sanding block to round over the top edges of the soundboards inside the box.
12. Attach the bottom: Glue the bottom to the top of the box and create a 45-degree angle on the sides for a polished look.
13. Tuning: This is where the magic happens. Place the paddle on the box and adjust the screw to achieve the desired sound. You may need to remove material from the soundboards to fine-tune the pitch.
14. Finishing: Once the call is tuned, sand it smooth and apply your chosen finish. Avoid applying finish to the soundboard top edges and the paddle’s underside.
15. Chalk it up (optional): Use box call chalk or carpenter’s chalk to enhance the sound and grip of the paddle.

Tips and Tricks: Mastering the Art of Tuning

Tuning a turkey call box is an iterative process that requires patience and a keen ear Here are some valuable tips to guide you:

• Thicker sides produce higher pitches, while thinner sides produce lower pitches.
• Tapering the sides of the box can create a realistic roll-over from high to low in the turkey’s gobble.
• If you’re struggling to achieve the desired sound, try sanding the underside of the paddle and the top edges of the soundboard.
• Don’t be afraid to experiment and adjust the design to suit your preferences.

The Final Touches: Making Your Mark

With your turkey call box complete, it’s time to add your personal touch. Consider engraving your initials or a meaningful design on the box or paddle. To create a distinctive look, you can also experiment with different wood finishes or stains.

Creating your own turkey call box is a rewarding experience that combines creativity, craftsmanship, and a deep appreciation for the natural world. With each call you produce, you’ll not only be luring in turkeys but also carrying on a time-honored tradition that connects you to generations of hunters who have walked the same path. So, grab your tools, embrace the challenge, and let your creativity soar as you craft the perfect turkey call box, a testament to your skill and passion for the hunt.