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.

       

Very cool!    

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

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.

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.
 

   

+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.

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.

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

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.

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

QuoteOriginally 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).

Perfect job Mike! Way to go.

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.

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

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!