Footed Shafts Anyone?

[mnolletti]

Looking for advice on building some footed shafts. Here is my situation:

I have watched Clay Hayes' video on the topic, and I am aware of Gary and Connie Renfro's jig to make the footings. However, being a newly married man I am looking to make it happen with as minimal tools as possible (or those that I may already have on hand), yet still be able to produce consistent results and produce a few dozen for both 3D and plenty of hunting.

My bow setup and desire to stick with wood arrows is the driving factor, not to mention footed shafts just look sweet. I shoot a 65# longbow, however, at my draw length of  31", it is pulling just shy of 73#. Overkill, maybe. But it's a 66" bow that draws very smooth to me and I am still just a year past being a collegiate football player, so the resistance and stored energy at full draw feels amazing.

What my dad and I have found is that I am all but maxing out the wood shafting that we can buy in POC, and will probably pick up some Surewood shafts next. But that's still 32" of arrow if I left every single one full length. So, in order to get an arrow with enough length to accommodate my draw, yet have some ability to play with tune, here I am.

I'm not an FOC guy particularly, but I would like  to move to a heavier head (currently using Stos 125 gr which are no longer being produced). The footing paired with a heavier head will by default give my some improved FOC, moreso as collateral than by intention in my case. But I want to be flexible to tune these arrows well by gradually cutting down (like I always hear of guys with full length carbons doing). I'm pursuing pristine arrow flight.

That being said, do I have options aside from spending big money on a jig, specifically, have any of you guys made functional jigs yourselves? If so, or if not, what and why? Things to be aware of, starting points, any and all are appreciated. I have plenty of experience building my own arrows, just have not delved into footed shafts - yet. Thanks in advance.

[Jack Denbow]

I have used the 3 Rivers jig with good results. When I was thinking about it years ago I checked into the Renfro jig and the price scared me.
Jack

[goobersan]

I've done this a few times but used a dowel maker to finish. Not quite perfect yet but I might use a plane next time I glue some up.

[Orion]

There was a thread on this site a while ago, probably a year or more, that showed how to make a jig for cutting the tapers into the arrow shaft for a 4-point foot.  I haven't tried the search to find it, but it's likely still in a how to somewhere.  Only need a router and that jig to shape the end of the shaft.  Pretty hard to cut the slots in the footings without a band saw, though I suppose you could do it with another home made jig (to keep the cuts straight).

Of course, two point foots can be made much easier.  Just cut a slot in the hardwood footing and use a hand block plane to shave/taper down two sides of the arrow to fit into the slot.  (Edit: I just watched the first 30 seconds of the above video.  Looks like it explains how to make a 2-point foot.)

Regardless of which method you use, after the glue has set, can knock off the extra material with a block plane, wood rasp and sand paper.

If you want to go the easy route, just buy some reparrows.  They're premade foots with a point taper ground into one end.  They glue on just like a field point and add about 2-3 inches to the shaft length.  Look pretty good, too.

Good luck.

[R.V.T.B.]

I followed this tutorial to build my footing block.  I saw the footing wood into 1/2" X 1/2" inch pieces and then split them halfway. Mine have come out looking and shooting great.  That being said, I did have some mishaps initially but once I started using TiteBond III glue, those issues went away.

https://www.traditionalarcherysociety.com/post/4-finger-footing-jig-build-a-long-6767137

(if posting this link to a 2014 thread violates the rules, just pull my post please)

[meathead]

There’s not a thing wrong with the 3 Rivers jig. It takes just a couple practice tries to get it figured out to make beautiful 4 point shafts. I have made dozens of footed shafts with mine. Or you can make 2 point shafts with just a few hand tools.

[mnolletti]

3Rivers aside, who knows where a guy can get footing blanks? Looking for something other than purple heart preferably. I'm sure there are others that sell them.

[R.V.T.B.]

I wait until Woodcrafters has a wood sale going on and then pick up the 1/2" boards.  Fairly cheap then.  I have picked up ebony, zebra wood, Bubinga, osage orange, cherry and my personal favorite, canary wood.  You just have to pick through the boards.   A lot of them have a lot of swirls and figure.  I just want straight grain.  I then put them on the band saw and cut them into 1/2" by 1/2" blanks.

One of my favorites so far was an old locust post that I took from a 100 year old barn that was being disassembled.  I used a chainsaw to get a flat side and then ran it through my table saw and band saw.  Hard stuff!!!  It made some beautiful footings and you talk about one tough arrow!

[rainman]

Try pens blanks from Woodcraft or Rockler for the blanks for your footing.  You could also by 39 inch bamboo shafts and just cut them down to length.

[Jon Stewart]

I make them but not often. I made my own jig for cutting the footing into the arrow and as mentioned almost any wood can be used for the footing by cutting wood down to 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch sections. Of course darker woods like black walnut show up better on the lighter shafts. I have used mesquite for the footing once but doesn't show up well at a distance.

I make them and mount a stone point on them for give away's and fundraisers. They are too much work for me for everyday use.