I dunno Mauser... I sure wouldn't want to try it. You're dealing with some pretty fragile wood there. Side rail material, for example, is only 1/8th of an inch thick and since it's hardwood it'll snap if you're rough with it.

Maybe one of those Roto-Zip type saw things might work for cutting out certain parts. But, since I've never used one and can't say they really work like they are supposed to. So, you're on your own there.

The main reason I think at least a table saw is pretty important is because you need a stacked dado head cutter to mill the (usually 1/4" wide) recesses into the side rails of the call. Unless you can rig up some sorta router and jig to mill those recesses you probably won't have a very good call. That's because the grooves aren't just for decoration... they (along with some other factors) determine the tone of the call.

I understand your zeal for wanting to make your own calls. I was there too. In fact, when I was just starting I was one of the ones who said, "How hard could it be?". Well, believe me... while it isn't rocket science you do at least need the right tools to do the job right.

Edited by - proturkeycaller on 01/27/2002 21:28:57