Does anyone have any advice on how to smooth the edge of my footing so it doesn't catch on my bag target?
Front edge: use a slightly larger diameter field point. Rear edge: fill in where the footing meets the shaft with something that can be sanded, and after drying sand to get a smooth taper rather than an abrupt edge.
When I make my footings (2117 for 500/600 gold tip trads) I put them in a drill/drill press and sand/file the ends into a smooth taper[attachment=1][attachment=2]
I might try adding some job weld or something else sandable. It's the back edge that's causing me problems.
when you foot use hot melt (big jims is great ) then you reuse and adjust as needed.
the silver in the above photo is the taper . you could also add glue to the back of your footings and smooth with fingers before drying/cooling
I make my footings up ahead of time and taper both ends
I happen to have a whole pile of hot melt, I'll try that. I can try to taper the footing down as well.
I use a chamfer tool. Works good. I have also just used a file and hand tapered. The advantages of footings for me far outweigh any potential disadvantages of target damage.
Use a chamfer tool like what you would use on rifle brass to taper the ends of the footing before installing it on the shaft.
Bisch
I cut the foots first, usually about 2" long. I chuck them up in my drill motor and use a double cut mill bastard file I get the edge down to where it could cut you. I smooth up the foot with my single cut file. I try when gluing them on to smooth the foot to shaft edge as much as possible as well. Messy, yes.
There is one target face we have come to dislike because even a shaft that has an insert that is above the surface of shaft hangs up. Those are those Morral faces made from that cross weave plastic material.
I don't have a chamfer tool but I do have plenty of files kicking around as I'm a welder by trade. Thanks for all the tips guys