Been thinking about getting one of these jigs. I am curious as to how much weight I can put up front. Any help would sure be appreciated.
I put 80 grains in one arrow the other day using the jig to set the pilot hole then used the depth of the drill without the jig. 60 grains with the depth of the jig itself. dino
The way your arrow flies out of your bow, is going to tell you how much weight, for instance, I'm using a 43# @ 29" and my total weight up front is 161 gr. My total arrow weight 441 Gr, and I did start out with 125 gr up front, but it just wasn't flying the way I wanted to, you're gonna have to adjust and try different things, only you can figure out the exact amount you should have. That's the fun part
Carl
Butch, I've been doing the same thing, altho I drill my hole differently. I find a two inch hole easy to drill and a three inch to be my practical limit. I'm weighting with 1/8" lead wire that is 35 gr/in, so a two inch insert is good for 70 grains. If you want more than that, it is easier and more versatile to go to a heavier point. Paper tuning has shown me that I need to add about one pound of static spine per ten grains of insert weight.
With wood arrows, total arrow weight seems likely to be a limiting factor with front weighted arrows. I made up some Heavy Heads for a pig hunt. The shafts were lightweight tapered Sitka Spruce, 70 lb static spine, 28" BOP, with a 50 gr insert (1.5") and a 190 gr VPA Terminator broadhead for a total arrow weight of 620 gr and 20.6% FOC. They paper tuned beautifully from my 54 lb at 26" Pronghorn T/D longbow, so that is the bow I hunted with. That works out to 11.5 gr/lb and 12 gr/lb is about as heavy an arrow as I like to shoot. I can say that I was very pleased with the arrow's performance on a 150 lb boar. I hope this gives you a little help or insight with your question.
Thanks folks for the answers. I'm shooting a Thunder Stick Mag. 50@28 & draw 28. I using 55/60spine cedars. I've been shooting 135 grn. Zwickey deltas. They shoot decent but not great. I used a 175 Ace head with 25 grns. of 8 1/2 lead shot in them. They shoot fantastic. Would really like to use the Deltas so, that was the reason for asking how much weight I could add with the jig. I know that according to charts & calculators, those shafts are too light spined but, even 50/55 spine shoots great with the extra weight.
I have used the jig a lot with very good results. I can get away with a lot more weight up front using the internal loading, without negatively affecting spine, than I can just slapping more weight on the point.
With heavy points coupled with the jig front loading, most of my woodies are currently tuned in the 250 grain range. They fly and penetrate very well. :D
As Rick (Fletcher) stated, 2-3 inches is the practical limit without pushing the envelope. I have gone as deep as 5" with a longer bit but that gets tricky.
don't only think of the jig for adding front end weight. as the name implies, it's also an internal footing that strengthens the arrow where it needs it most - behind the point. i've used 1/8" oak dowel, bamboo skewer and carbon fiber rod for internal footings without adding arrow weight.
imo, the internal weight/footing jig is the most innovative, useful device for wood arrows to come along in quite some time.
oh, and lemme add - to stiffen up an arrow, 'foot' the nock end!
I have to agree with Rob. If you dont want to change the weight and type of BH you are using but want more FOC and or strength on wood shafts this is the way to go. Nothing else compares. I have been having a great time experimenting with different shaft materals and internal footings up front to get 650gr FOC shafts that shoot the best ever out of my selfbows. I understand woody weights are good as well but not very eye appealing to me.
Got my jig from Braveheart Archery good guy.
Butch,
Here is a link to some info on the jig. Tungsten is going to be the heaviest and strongest material you can find. It is also the most expensive and hard to work with.
http://gmsarcherytools.blogspot.com/2010/02/internal-point-weight-and-footing-jig.html
Andy
Folks,
Thanks for all the good tips. Sounds like it's the way to go.
Butch, Two inches of 1/8" lead wire will add 70 grains to your Zwickey Delta for 200 gr total. I made some arrows for a friend with just this combination and they worked great.
Lead wire works great however you will not gain any strength. Any type of rod would be stronger than the lead fishing wire. If you just want to add wt. the lead wire works great. If you need some pm and I will send you some lead wire.