Another homemade boom arm

[JoshG]

This is my first post on FOG, been lurking for a while.

Since I just spent a ton on the MFT-3 and the TS55, I didn't have any money to spare for a Festool vacuum/boom arm, but those items are on my wish list.  In the mean-time I set-up my Rigid shop-vac with the dust separator from Rocker.  I purchased two 5 foot sections of black 1 1/2" PVC and two 45° couplers.  I cut the pipe to length and added three strips of velcro that I screwed one end into the pipe, and then connected the whole assembly to the shop-vac.  This set-up is very secure and works with my TS55, DeWalt ROS and DeWalt router. 

I am very happy with the finished product, especially since the pipe set me back less than $10.

 

[Alan m]

nothing wrong with that. iv seen some on here where people used y conecters to create a diagonal brace to suppourt the top piece. jush a thought to improve it and increase its life span. i have a festool boom arm and i dont think its any better than most of the home made ones

how do you find the rockler vortex seperator.

 

[JoshG]

how do you find the rockler vortex seperator.

It works pretty good actually.  Obviously fine dust gets through, but it captures most of the heavier material from the TS55 and when I am routing.  I normally don't use it when I am sanding though.  I use a bag in my shop-vac which helps to keep the filter from clogging.  All-in-all it is a pretty decent dust collection system on the cheap.

 

[erock]

Welcome!  It looks good.  Any problem with static with that hose?  I have the Vortex from Rockler and like it a lot!  Esp. on my Incra router table.

Eric

 

[Alan m]

sorry  i fogot to welcome you  to the fog

 

[JoshG]

Welcome!  It looks good.  Any problem with static with that hose?  I have the Vortex from Rockler and like it a lot!  Esp. on my Incra router table.

Eric

The orange hose actually does pretty good, not completely static free, but much better than the hose the vac came with.

 

[semenza]

Hi Josh,

Welcome to the FOG !  [smile]

Nice arm  [thumbs up]  Soooooooooo.....................  how do ya like the saw ? 

Seth

 

[JoshG]

Hi Josh,

Welcome to the FOG !  [smile]

Nice arm  [thumbs up]  Soooooooooo.....................  how do ya like the saw ? 

Seth

The saw is incredible.  Since I currently don't have the space for a full size table saw, the TS55 and MFT are currently filling that roll.  The TS55 is a joy to use, and is dead simple, as long as I can remember which side is my off-cut.

Honestly, though the MFT is probably the favorite tool in my shop now.  I love the fact that I can clamp just about anything to it, it just about any orientation I can come up with.  I can say that there will be many more Festool purchases in my future.

 

[GPowers]

Very nice setup and welcome to the FOG [big grin]

 

[UncleJoe]

Very nice setup. My saw is being shipped as I type. I can't wait. A couple of questions. Did you have to do anything to get the hose to fit the saw. What size hose is that? How long is the power cord that comes with the saw?
With my setup I am using the Rockler Dust Right Vortex with my Shop vac. I just cleaned up after making 5 cabinets and only a cup of dust made it to the shop vac the rest was in the Rockler so no clogged filter. I also bought the I-Socket tool and vacuum switch which works great. When you switch on the tool the vacuum starts. This is the poor man's version of the Festool Vac. I am sure it is not as good as the Festool but it will do for now.

 

[semenza]

The saw cord is 13' long (approx.).

Seth

 

[JoshG]

Very nice setup. My saw is being shipped as I type. I can't wait. A couple of questions. Did you have to do anything to get the hose to fit the saw. What size hose is that? How long is the power cord that comes with the saw?
With my setup I am using the Rockler Dust Right Vortex with my Shop vac. I just cleaned up after making 5 cabinets and only a cup of dust made it to the shop vac the rest was in the Rockler so no clogged filter. I also bought the I-Socket tool and vacuum switch which works great. When you switch on the tool the vacuum starts. This is the poor man's version of the Festool Vac. I am sure it is not as good as the Festool but it will do for now.

Here is a link to the hose: http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Wet-Dry-Vacuums/h_d1/N-5yc1vZb8pi/R-100375877/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

I was very surprised that one of the adapters that the hose came with fit perfectly over the TS55 dust port, so I didn't have to make any modifications to the hose or the saw.  The hose is slightly smaller than the 2 1/4" hose that came with the vac though.

I don't know if I am going to get an I-Socket because I would like to get a Festool Vac, but for now I am using a remote to start the vacuum prior to making a cut, problem is I don't always remember to start the vacuum.  Honestly though, the system I have works pretty good and I have a little more than $200 invested in the vacuum, hoses, Vortex and boom arm.