Mikey figured it out...4 point footing w/ pics. Motor City Machetes strikes again

[Mike Vines]

It has taken me a little while (quite a while) and a whole lot of trial and error, but I have finally figured out the 4 point wood footing.  

The journey has been great, I have been to quite a few arrow making shops, got some AWESOME ideas (and motivation) from Steve O on the whole process and picked up other ideas from all around to make my own jigs, and without further ado, I present to you the latest model to roll off the line here at the Motor City Machete shop.

       

[wooddamon1]

Very cool!    

[steadman]

Atta boy Mike!! Is that bocote? I thought about doin some with that. Did you end up using the method we discussed?  

[Mike Vines]

Yes it is bacote.  I'll send you a PM with my way Ryan, and when I get time, I will do a full How-to on here.

[Mike Vines]

If anybody is really interested in doing their own footings, I STRONGLY suggest you get the new DVD by Connie and Gary Renfro on how to make a footed arrow.  It takes so much of the guesswork out of the whole process.  I did mine the same in some of the steps as the Renfro's, and then I did some the Motor City Machete way.  

Here is the jig I made to open the footing so that all the glue is not pushed out when inserting the shaft.   Works perfect.
 

   

[Ray_G]

+1 on the Renfro DVD.  The jigs, tools and techniques they show are priceless.  Nice work, Mike.  I want to get some done this Spring and have some wood from IdahoCurt that is begging for use.

[lt-m-grow]

Looks like great stuff.   You did such a great job and along with the bacote, it is kind of hard to see.

More picture would be awesome.  Thanks for sharing.

[Steve O]

Mike, you are one super ambitious dude!  Looks great.

[Mike Vines]

Yeah, the doctor tried giving me Ritlin last week.  Told him I like goin in all directions.

  I have the shafts on the drying rack right now.  I'm hoping to get them all done and ready to stick a pig down at Ray's with them next weekend.

[flint kemper]

Mike, very nice. I would like to see how you round them out myself. Thanks for sharing your success. Congrats.

[Mike Vines]

Originally posted by flint kemper:
Mike, very nice. I would like to see how you round them out myself. Thanks for sharing your success. Congrats.

There are 3 ways I know of.  1 would be to use a hand plane to remove most of the stock, then sandpaper after that.  2nd way would be to use a router in a home made jig (I made one and have used it with fair success).  3rd and preferred by me is to us a 12" disc sander to remove most of the stock (once again with home built jigs), then chuck it into a drill and run it thru progressively finer sand paper.

I'm going to incorporate #2 and #3 together next time, and then I think I will be where I want to be. I'll use the disc sander and jig first, then into the router jig, then progressively finer sand paper (80 grit down to 400 grit).

[straitera]

Perfect job Mike! Way to go.

[Ricker]

Man-O-Man Mike! Those look fantastic! Great job....and thinking about the past, I cannot ever remember seeing Bacote used as a footing.  Very cool.

[Green]

Really nice work there Mike.  And I second Ricker...not seen Bocote used as a footing before....really looks great!

[michbowhunter]

Those look sweet!  Great job    
Good luck with the hogs.  If you ever head down there again, I may have to tag along...tell Ray and Larry I said hi!