I've footed carbons before with aluminums that slid on tight and worked really well to toughen the arrow when glued in place.

Currently, I'm shooting different carbons, and I have some aluminums lying around that fit over them. However, they are a bit loose, leaving a small "space" around the carbon's circumference.

If I was to float them in in place so that the "space" around the carbon arrow was filled with an impact resistant epoxy would that help strengthen the arrow... or would it just be a waste of time?

Since epoxys traditionaly have good gap filling properies I believe it would suffice to say you would gain strength. At least until finding a better matched footing as there are so many to choose from.

Probably better than nothing, but I would get the right size. Carbons aren't cheap.
Charlie Lamb has a list in the How To forum.

I agree that footing with aluminum will reduce the liklihood of the shaft shattering on a hard surface strike but it will not likely stop shear forces generated by glancing blows. It may improve somewhat with glancing blows but I think the shear point, the breaking point, would only move up the shaft to the end of your footing material. I still foot my stumping and small game arrows because I feel it is an improvement just not a guarantee. BTW, somewhere on here there is a table showing ID's of various aluminum sizes. Helps with picking the closest size to your shaft. I forget which forum it is on.

I have the footing chart. The problem is these carbons already have inserts glued in, which have an ever so slightly larger OD than the carbon shaft...so I need an aluminum that will slide over both. I know this isn't the "proper" way to do it, but I'm improvising.

Plus, these aluminums are trash arrows and need a good use.

If you carefully use a fine grit sandpaper, 400 or higher, you can reduce the rim diameter of the insert enough to slide the proper footing over them. Pinch the insert with the sandpaper and spin the arrow with the other hand. I've done it successfully on a few. Also, a RCBS brass cartridge case reamer can help bevel the inside of the footing edge to help it along.

We as a company offer aluminum footings for certain carbon arrowss and I would caution you to not use an oversize footing.  When I was researching and testing the effectiveness of the footings I tried lots of different lengths, diameters and adhesives until I came up with the sizes we offer.  The issue with using the oversize footing is that it fails to offer you any real additional strength regardless of the adhesive used to bond it to the shaft.  Using a gap filling adhesive also proved to me to be less than desireable as it adds excessive weight and is hard to make it a clean smooth edge.  That edge is most noticeable when shooting at bag and mat type targets.  Personally I like to use hot melt adhesive because its simple, easy to use, and it's clean.  You would best served by removing the insert (with heat or with a drill bit slide down the shaft) and then using the correct diameter footing for any true stregth benefit.  Reducing the rim diameter of the insert will change the insert weight and you could easily (accidently) sand the edge of the shaft itself.

If you know someone with a lathe they could turn the OD of the inserts to match the shaft diameter.

Or if they're not fletched, can you slide the correct size of footing on from the nock end?

I have some Beeman ICS hunters that I have really liked.  2018's are too thin, I picked up a broken 2019 at a shoot, fits but a bit loose, I had a 21? that I used with my cx 150s and fit perfectly, way too loose foe the beemans. My footed arrow took a wicked hit on live maple and the footing bulged at the point.  I don't know if I could have gotten a better fit or not. I might have to search for a 2020 or thicker wall.  That should decrease the internal diameter, but I don't know. Just my experience.

@RM81- took the words right outa my mouth. I think that's the best idea.

QuoteOriginally posted by TxAg:
I have the footing chart. The problem is these carbons already have inserts glued in, which have an ever so slightly larger OD than the carbon shaft...so I need an aluminum that will slide over both. I know this isn't the "proper" way to do it, but I'm improvising.

Plus, these aluminums are trash arrows and need a good use.

I know you would have to refletch but could you slide on the right size from the back.

OOps RM81 beat me to it.

Well....no dice!  

I glued one up last night and let it dry.  This morning i shot an old cinder block (on purpose).  Blew the arrow tip to smitherines.  I could make the same shot with my other footed arrows with no damage.

I think it is a combination of the loose fit and the thinner aluminum.

However,.....i did try the drill bit trick and it worked like it was supposed to.  I have an ad in the classifieds looking for old 2016s. Having a thicker aluminum that fits tightly should help a lot.