How to Make a Turkey Pot Call – A Fun DIY Project for Turkey Hunters

As an avid turkey hunter, I’m always looking for ways to improve my turkey calling skills. One of the best ways to become a better turkey caller is to make your own custom turkey pot call. Not only is this a fun DIY woodworking project, but creating your own turkey pot call allows you to customize the sound exactly how you want it.

In this article I’ll walk through the full process of making a homemade turkey pot call from choosing materials to sanding and finishing. I’ve made several turkey calls using this method, and they produce amazingly realistic turkey sounds. Follow along to craft your own custom turkey pot call and become a turkey calling pro!

Materials Needed

Here are the supplies you’ll need to make your own turkey pot call:

• A block of wood for the pot – Walnut cherry and oak all work well. The wood should be dry and free of defects.

• Slate, glass, or aluminum for the call surface – Slate produces the most realistic turkey sounds. Aluminum is more affordable but still works well.

• Wood dowel or peg for a striker

• Waterproof wood glue

• Sandpaper – 120, 150, and 220 grit

• Protective finish like polyurethane or tung oil

• Eye and ear protection for sanding

• A few basic woodworking tools like a drill, chisel, and sanding block

Cutting and Shaping the Wood Pot

The first step is selecting a suitable block of wood for the pot. The wood should be dry, solid, and free of cracks or knots. Once you’ve chosen your wood, follow these steps:

1. Cut the wood into a square block using a miter saw or circular saw. Shoot for around 3″ x 3″ x 1.5″.

2. Use a drill press or hand drill to drill a 1″ diameter hole about .5″ deep in the center of the block. This will be the hollowed out portion for the call.

3. Carefully chisel out the interior of the hole to create a smooth, rounded interior.

4. Use a band saw, scroll saw, or coping saw to cut the outline shape of the pot. A traditional oval or round shape works well.

5. Smooth and refine the shape using progressive grit sandpaper. Start with 120 grit to aggressively shape it, then switch to 150 and 220 grit for a smooth finish.

6. Use a wood rasp or file to smooth edges and hard to reach areas.

7. Drill a few holes in the bottom of the pot to allow sound to pass through clearly.

Installing the Call Surface

Once your pot is shaped, it’s time to install the call surface. This is what you’ll scrape with the striker to produce sound. Follow these steps:

1. If using slate or glass, cut a piece to fit snugly inside the recessed area of the pot. Use a glass cutter for glass or masonry blade for slate.

2. Sand the edges smooth.

3. Apply waterproof wood glue to the interior ledge of the pot.

4. Press the call surface firmly into the glue and wipe away any excess.

5. Let the glue fully cure overnight before continuing. The bond should be completely secure.

6. For aluminum, find a flat piece that fits the recess and glue into place the same way.

Shaping and Finishing the Striker

The striker is the final piece that will complete your pot call. Follow these steps:

1. Cut a wood dowel to 4-5″ in length using a miter saw.

2. Use a wood file, rasp, or sandpaper to taper one end of the dowel to a rounded point. This is the end that will contact the call surface.

3. Sand the striker smooth, wipe away dust, and apply 2-3 coats of protective finish. Allow to fully cure.

4. Buff the contact point lightly with 220 grit sandpaper so it’s smooth but not totally slick. This prevents skipping.

Final Sanding and Finishing

Once all pieces are complete, do some final sanding and apply a protective finish:

1. Sand the exterior of the pot call up to 220 grit for a smooth sanded look. Break all hard edges.

2. Wipe away all dust and debris with a clean cloth.

3. Apply at least 3 coats of a protective finish like polyurethane, letting each coat fully cure before applying the next. This gives the call weather resistance and a handsome sheen.

4. Let the finish cure for 24 hours before handling.

That completes your homemade turkey pot call! The entire project can usually be completed in a weekend. Now grab your striker, find a surface like a table or your knee, and practice making realistic turkey sounds. It takes practice, but you’ll be sounding like a pro turkey in no time. Calling in your first lovesick tom with a homemade turkey call is an incredibly rewarding experience.