latex tension

[Bottomland]

Got a question on stretching latex for mouth calls.  I new at this and i am trying to figure out what range i need to be around.  I have read that most people stretch theres to around .140 plus or minus on what you prefer and type of call.  Now i know theres a lot a variables in this process but i watched a video and he said he stretched his a .25'' . Is this unheard of or is this just the way he likes his calls.  It was billy yargus who i was watching so i know he knows what he is doing but that just seems way to tight compared to others i have read.  Any input is helpful. thanks.

[TRKYHTR]

If you are a huffer a tighter stretch is preferred. If you are a blower your number is more like it. Just depends on how you call.

Joe

[crossbow1968]

he's stretching .250 on a hand jig,,,, it's a lot less on a press

[TRKYHTR]

I think .250" is .250" how ever it's measured.

Joe

[crossbow1968]

there is a big diff. i own a hand jig ,,,,, you are stretching half of the reeds ,, i'm stretching the whole reeds

[Bottomland]

In the video he said he is stretching the latex a quarter of a inch which would be .250 on a dial that presses have.

Here is the video.  He uses a hand jig.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkVB5wTGyi0

[crossbow1968]

pm sent

[TRKYHTR]

Crossbow I also have a hand jig and a big press. I don't understand your logic about stretching half the latex. If the latex is stretching, it's stretching. All of the latex is anchored on one side and the other side is moving away stretching it. One is being measured by a dial the other by how many turns you make. Either way they are both stretching the latex .250 inches.

Joe

[learn2hide]

am I the only one that laughed hysterically reading this thread? blowers huffers stretcher puller latex tension? LMAO   

[TRKYHTR]

It is hilarious. I thought he was actually asking a real question and was trying to become a better caller. My bad. I can tell you several of the competition callers and what stretch they prefer. Never mind I'm done here.

Joe

[learn2hide]

I mean if you're only stretching the latex .250 inches...you might not make it California 

[mwr]

he's stretching .250 on a hand jig,,,, it's a lot less on a press

APRIL FOOL'S???

[crossbow1968]

.250 on a press IS more tension than .250 on a jig,, BOSS

[mwr]

Whatever you say...............

[TRKYHTR]

Ok lets look at how a mouth call is made to clarify this situation. 2-4 pieces of latex are tacked together and layered the longest reed usually at the top. The frame is placed in the press, most frames will have glue applied to the frame and a piece of paper is removed to expose the glue. The tacked latex is placed in the frame and one side of the frame is clamped. That keeps that side of the latex from moving. The other side of the latex is clamped in a sliding piece that is attached to a gauge. This gauge measures distance, not tension. The sliding piece is moved to the desired distance and then the other side of the frame is clamped. The latex in the first 1/3 of the call is now fixed. Once that is done the sliding piece moves to the relaxed position. This actually has an affect on the back 2/3 of the latex in the call. Then the back tension is stretched. The back side tension is still laxed compared to the front part that is tight. Once the back tension is pulled the back is clamped and the tab is bent over so the back tensions will not move.
  The hand held press uses clamps on both sides of a stacked piece of latex. Then is hand turned, which is a screw that is unscrewed, stretching the latex to the desired distance. The frame is then placed in position so that the tips of the frame can be clamped to keep the latex from moving. Now in the video that was posted he took the frame out of the jig. This in turn relaxes the back 2/3 of the latex just as the large press did. Then he used his fingers to stretch the back tension. If he would have left the frame in the jig the whole time even the back 2/3 of the latex would have the same tension as the front part. This would be stretched tighter than the press but he didn't. He took it out of the jig.
  That all being said he stretched a mouth call with a jig the same way that it would have been stretched in a large press. He uses a .250 stretch for his calls whether they are made in a jig or press. He is not the on ly competition caller that uses that much stretch and that stretch is not the most that I have heard. I have heard up to .310.
  Now these are facts and not judgements or opinions. and BTW Crossbow 1968 I am not your BOSS.

Joe