Are footed woodies just for weight up front or do they make a tougher arrow? When none footed shafts take a hard hit they usually break behind the point. Does footed shafts just move the weak link at the back of the footing? Or are they stronger?

I found that the reparrow footing to make the whole arrow stronger. I did some testing on the reparrow, My goal was to brake the tip. I shot the arrow in to a live Oak tree, concrete block and a piece of 4" thick steel.

The only damage was the field point. I still have the arrow and it is in good shooting shape. The footing was cedar and the arrow shaft was Ash..

Footed shafts are a bit stronger, at least if one is footing cedar.  Hardwoods, of course, don't need footings. They're strong enough on their own.  

Footings add a little to the FOC, probably 3% or so depending on the length and diameter of the footing and the material used. Keep in mind that the footing replaces the wood that's already there, so the increase in weight/weight forward, is not the weight of the foot, but the weight of the foot minus the weight of the wood that was there originally. Putting a 6-inch or so hardwood foot on a 11/32 cedar arrow increases the weight/weight forward by about 30 grains, give or take a little.
That translates into about 3% FOC on a standard constructed arrow, i.e., intermediate length and point weight.

I might add that a 10-inch shaft taper on the nock end reduces the arrow weight by about 30 grains.  So by tapering and footing a standard 11/32 shaft, you can gain 5-6% FOC. Adding 50 grains to your broadhead weight will do about the same thing.

Thanks for the help guys. I guess what I'm trying to do is just build a tougher wood arrow. Do you think footing is worth the work?

Yes, Not only for strength but for FOC too..

Footing started as 'repair' today we use it for beauty, long draws, additional strength, and FOC. Reparrows are great for repair, they add strength and a small amount of FOC.
I have had arrows footed  with a really long footed section-7-8 in plus the splice, it adds a good amount of FOC, and a bit of strength; but I ran out of spine too soon. Is it worth it? Sure.

QuoteOriginally posted by wv lungbuster:
Are footed woodies just for weight up front

not the original concept, but a good thing for added foc

or do they make a tougher arrow?

adding a footing was for both strength and durability

When none footed shafts take a hard hit they usually break behind the point.

correct

Does footed shafts just move the weak link at the back of the footing? Or are they stronger?

overall, a lot stronger.

using an internal nail footing does somewhat the same thing - increase the shaft strength where needed most, behind the point, and up the foc

I usually shot a heavy weight broadhead so I wasn't to worried about FOC. Just wanted to make a stronger arrow. Anyone used the internal footing jig and insert a smaller hard wood dowel?

Footings replace wood with wood.  The new wood is heavier, but not that much, so it doesn't add much weight or FOC.  The footing wood is generally stronger tho, and does add strength.

Seems to me that an internal footing with a nail would add both a higher foc and extra strength.. Right now I'm adding lead to a 125 gr field point to make it 160gr and I just ordered an internal drilling jig (3R) and am going to use a nail of the appropriate length/weight to bring it to 160. A better point fit and a stronger and heavier point is the way I've got it figured.. we'll see...

i just built a six pack of surewood's with 1/8" bamboo internal footings, for added strength behind the point.     i've also used 2" lengths of carbon fiber rod!

I don't think a footed arrow is stronger. When a footed arrow breaks, it almost always breaks at the glue line.

I guess it depends on how well their built also.