For turkey hunters, a quality glass call is an essential piece of gear for luring in wary gobblers. However, to get the best sounds out of a glass call requires proper conditioning of the surface. Choosing the right grit sandpaper is key to transforming the glass into an acoustic friction platform that accurately mimics hen turkey sounds
In this guide, we’ll recommend sandpaper grits for tuning your glass call to perfection.
Why Sandpaper is Needed for Glass Calls
Brand new out of the package the glass surface of a call is ultra smooth. This prevents generating the friction required to emit realistic turkey vocalizations when you drag the striker across it. Sanding the glass gives it just the right microscopic roughness for calling.
Without periodic re-sanding, oils from your hands will cause the call’s surface to become slick during use, steadily degrading the sound quality. A quick sanding restores it to peak performance.
Best Sandpaper Grits for Glass Turkey Calls
For tuning up a glass turkey call, a relatively coarse grit rating is typically used:
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60-80 grit – Very coarse sandpaper that aggressively cuts the glass surface. Best for major restoration of smooth, worn calling surfaces.
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80-100 grit – This coarse range is the most commonly used for general glass call sanding. Provides an ideal level of roughness for realistic turkey sounds.
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100-120 grit – Slightly finer sandpaper that can be used for quicker touch up conditioning between hunts. Still abrasive enough for adequate friction.
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150+ grit – Too fine of sandpaper will polish the glass too much. Friction needs will be insufficient for authentic turkey vocalizations.
Proper Sanding Techniques Matter
In addition to selecting an appropriately coarse sandpaper, using proper technique when sanding is also critical:
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Always sand in straight lines along the length of the call surface. Never use a circular sanding motion.
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Sanding direction should be perpendicular to the direction the striker peg will be pulled during use. This maximizes friction.
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Apply consistent moderate pressure over the entire surface to ensure uniform roughness.
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Occasionally fold sandpaper to expose fresh grit and avoid polishing the glass.
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Completely clean call surface after sanding to remove any debris or residue.
Other Useful Glass Call Conditioning Products
Besides basic sandpaper, there are some other handy items for tuning up your glass pot call:
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Glass call stones – These sharpening stone-like tools are very effective for heavy restoration of smooth glass surfaces.
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Scotch Brite pads – General cleaning pads can be used for quick touch up conditioning between hunting outings.
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Call conditioning tools – Products like the Frictionite combine a carbide scraping blade and sandpaper for convenient one-step re-surfacing.
Don’t Forget the Striker Peg!
Your striker peg also needs periodic sanding with 220 grit paper to remove built-up aluminum and glass material and maintain a sharp, conditioned edge for calling. Take care not to over-sand and round-off the sharper striker edges. After sanding, protect the reshaped peg tip with a drill bit cover when not in use.
Matching Grit to Desired Sound Tone
Hunters can also tailor the tone of their glass call by sandpaper grit selection:
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Coarse (80-100 grit) – Generates a raspy, aggressive hen sound that’s very realistic. Ideal for vocal hens during peak breeding.
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Medium (120-150) -Creates a balanced, versatile friction for diverse calling scenarios. Great all-round option.
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Fine (150-220) – Produces a cleaner, sharper sound that carries farther on quiet days. Useful in less noisy conditions.
Experiment for Your Unique Call Signature
Try out different sandpaper textures to discover your personal preference based on hunting strategy and style. Your customized friction platform can become a unique calling signature to seduce gobblers.
With knowledge of proper grit selections and sanding techniques, you can transform the glass surface of your pot call into a acoustic work of art that will call in spring thunder!
TURKEY POT CALLS / HOW TO USE:
- Yelping – Make small circles 1/2” to 1” in length. Some people prefer making a “J” shape.
- Clucking – Pull the peg toward you about 1/8” to 1” with light pressure.
- Purring – Pull the peg toward you in a half-circle with light pressure.
- Cutting or Cackling – Pull the peg toward you 1/4” to 3/8”.
- To achieve proper turkey sound, apply more pressure to peg.
Choose one of Preston Pittman’s turkey pot calls made of slate, aluminum, glass and/or crystal. Remember to always keep the surface well sanded before each hunt. Never rub calling surface with your hand. Avoid oil or grease from coming in contact with the surface; but, if it does occur, simply sand properly. Harder surfaces, such as glass or crystal, need to almost be cut. Softer surfaces require the opposite.
- Glass or Crystal – Use a coarse grit sand paper such as a 60-grit.
- Slate or Aluminum – Use a fine grit sand paper, never coarser than a 220-grit. Finer is better. Scuff pads are best
- When sanding most hard surfaces, such as glass or crystal, crisscross sanding is preferred. Results from sanding should be similar to “###” marks on the caller. This insures that the caller can call from any direction.
- When sanding soft surfaces with a grain, such as slate, sand with the grain only. When calling, pull the striker across the grain. Aluminum can be crisscross sanded, but remember, on slate and aluminum, use fine sand paper or scuff pad.
- Hold the pot only by the rim. For maximum volume, do not touch the bottom of the pot.
- To tone the volume down, experiment with touching the bottom of the pot or hold the pot in the palm of your hand.
- The closer to the edge of the pot that you hold the turkey call, the higher the pitch will be. The closer you call to the middle of the pot, the deeper/coarser the sound will be.
- The greater the tilt of the peg, the coarser the sound will be.
- By using these tips, you can make any of Preston’s turkey pot calls sound like a whole flock of turkeys, or easily change from one sound to another.
How to Prepare a Glass or Crystal Call
FAQ
What grit sandpaper to use on glass?
Make your glass even smoother by sanding down the edges with 150-grit, 220-grit, 320-grit, and finally 400-grit sandpaper. To polish the edge to perfection, use 1000- and 2000-grit sandpaper. After you’ve finished sanding, wipe the edge of the glass with a clean, damp cloth to remove any leftover dust or grit.
Should I sand my slate call?
Yes, you will either need a stone or 80 grit sandpaper for the initial rough spot. Generally, you only use a scotch brite pad for slate calls.
What grit to sand slate?
Start with a lower grit number for honing and move up to a bigger grit, such as a 400-grit or a 600-grit, to slowly and gradually achieve a polished look that …Dec 22, 2023