Boom Arm - Last extension section TOO TIGHT!!

[pprior]

Just got my first set of Festool tools, I'm trying to assemble the boom arm.  I've got it all put together except the very last extension arm piece (the one with the little brass nipple that pushes in) will NOT fit into the main arm section.  I've shoved as hard as I can to the point where the paint is coming off.  Is there some trick to this thing or do I just have a defective model?

Appreciate any help - wife coming home and expects me to have all these boxes put away!  [embarassed]

 

[peter halle]

Unfortunately I can't offer any advice whereas I don't have a boom arm.  But in the meantime:
[welcome] to the forum.  We anticipate seeing some of your work in the future.

Peter

 

[Corwin]

Just got my first set of Festool tools, I'm trying to assemble the boom arm.  I've got it all put together except the very last extension arm piece (the one with the little brass nipple that pushes in) will NOT fit into the main arm section.  I've shoved as hard as I can to the point where the paint is coming off.  Is there some trick to this thing or do I just have a defective model?

Appreciate any help - wife coming home and expects me to have all these boxes put away!  [embarassed]

The Boom Arm must have changed somewhat since I purchased mine, as I don't recognize the part in question by your description.  By "very last extension arm piece" are you referring to the the upper pipe that has the hose brackets attached?  Or, do you mean the axle -- the part that connects the upper and lower pipes?  I don't remember any part that has "the little brass nipple that pushes in".  Maybe you can identify the part in question in the  Boom Arm Parts Link.

You can look at the Boom Arm Review for some photos and dialog on the Boom Arm.

Post edited to fix link issue  - Peter Halle - Moderator

 

[Dan Clark]

pprior,

Welcome to FOG.    I've had my Boom Arm for a couple of years and love it.  But I don't recognize that part either.  Can you post a pic?

Regards,

Dan.

 

[pprior]

That parts diagram link isn't working for me.

the part to which I'm referring is the very last extension piece on the boom arm, not the big one with the bushing on it.  It's the straight piece that runs parallel to the ground and after which the hose is free.

At least on my system, the boom arm rotating section has a female end at the distal potion and there is a small hole on the sidewall maybe 4-5cm from the end of it.  The last piece has a small brass "nubbin" that you have to depress, much like a socket set, and it will then pop out of the hole noted above once it's in place, to keep it from disassembling during use.

So my system has 3 boom arm pieces - the first one attaches to the handle system and vacuum directly, the second is the big piece with the bushing that turns, and the third is the small straight piece at the end, and it's that one that will NOT go into the end of the 2nd piece, because it's too tight.

 

[pprior]

In case that isn't clear it's the part in this writeup where it says "  With the help of a step stool, Andrea can fit the final arm into the previous section."

and in this PDF parts diagram it's the part of 5 on the far right.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I believe this was discussed here before. The parts just needed to be forced together. I'm not sure that will work in your case or not.

 

[pprior]

I was just down trying it again, I'm shoving them together as hard as I can physically push (to the point that if it slipped, I'd probably put the pipe through my thigh), scraping the paint down to the bare metal and it still won't go together.  Obviously something is wrong.  Very disappointed in this, guess I'll have to try and get it replaced.

 

[windmill man]

Hi
I think these are the bits you are refering to.

I joined the bits together one handed while taking the shots so if you have to force it you may have a damages arm. hope this helps.

John

 

[Corwin]

Sorry you have a problem with your new Boom Arm.  When I purchased mine, the two upper pipes were preassembled.  A bracket hides the seam and I had always thought that the upper assembly was a single piece until I checked mine after seeing your posts today.

 

[Dan Clark]

Sorry you have a problem with your new Boom Arm.  When I purchased mine, the two upper pipes were preassembled.  A bracket hides the seam and I had always thought that the upper assembly was a single piece until I checked mine after seeing your posts today.

pprior,

Like Corwin, mine came preassembled too.  Since I studied mine pretty carefully before publishing the review, I thought I knew most of the parts and features of the Boom Arm.  Guess not.  [embarassed] 

I'm sorry you're having problems.  It sound defective to me.  I'd suggest contacting your dealer.

Regards,

Dan.

 

[pprior]

yes, windmill man that's it.

I took my calipers to it:  Inside diameter of the main boom is 1.252"  Outside diameter of the last piece: 1.257"

Not sure which one is off and  .007" doesn't seem like much, but I might as well be forcing a square peg into a round hole...

I've contacted my dealer and hopefully will get a replacement piece soon.  Disappointing but I guess these things happen.  I'll report back with results

 

[windmill man]

Just measured mine for you . OD of top arm 31.3mm  ID of bent arm 31.8mm. It just slides in and there is a little waggle play when its connected. So I think you got a duffer. Sorry. Festool will sort it out for you no problem. When you get it sorted you will be happy with it and its a good bit of kit. It makes using dust extraction a lot  easier.

John

Welcome to FOG by the way. Dont be put of by this  [smile]

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Not to sound brash but, I know the directions for the boom arm assembly sort of suck.

There isn't a way to mix up a couple parts?

I don't know I don't own one.

Just checking.

Take the part off your dealers display if he doesn't have another one is stock. [big grin] [cool]

 

[bobbobbob]

Is there a chance that one of the parts is out of round?  A quick measurement of diameters at different places will verify that.  Could be as simple as putting in a vice to correct - if you can't wait for a replacement part.  Just a thought...

 

[pprior]

No, there is no way to mix up the parts 

They are not out of round, I checked that.  It's the strangest thing given these are mass produced how it would not fit.

 

[RONWEN]

yes, windmill man that's it.

I took my calipers to it:  Inside diameter of the main boom is 1.252"  Outside diameter of the last piece: 1.257"

Not sure which one is off and  .007" doesn't seem like much, but I might as well be forcing a square peg into a round hole...

I've contacted my dealer and hopefully will get a replacement piece soon.  Disappointing but I guess these things happen.  I'll report back with results

Those two diameters that you checked (interference fit should be a sliding fit) are obviously the problem, .007" is a lot of interference for that size of tubing, I would expect just the opposite (.005"-.007" clearance).
I just went to the shop & looked at mine -- I believe that mine came with those two pieces assembled (same as a couple of others mentioned) but I pushed the button & it's a very snug fit but I can slide the tubes apart.

It very well could be they have a problem with those tube diameters and a) that is why some of us received the booms with those tubes assembled (a quick quality check) or b) for packing purposes they always assemble those two tubes & whoever packed your boom had the same difficulty that you are experiencing and they just went ahead packing yours unassembled (not so good quality control).

 

[pprior]

My problem has been resolved.  After contacting my dealer (Bob Marino) within 24 hours I was sent replacement pieces which arrived today.  The new pieces slide together very easily to just the point where they connect, and then a bit of a shove, and it's combined.  Night and day difference from my original set.

Although I was obviously disappointed in my initial experience with the product, I must say I've very impressed with the customer service.  I believe in buying quality products and my time is valuable.  Thanks again to Bob and to Festool for fixing my problem quickly and without any hassle whatsoever.

Now hopefully I can get some work done on my daughter's desk project that I've been needing to complete...  [big grin]

 

[Brice Burrell]

My problem has been resolved.  After contacting my dealer (Bob Marino) within 24 hours I was sent replacement pieces which arrived today.  The new pieces slide together very easily to just the point where they connect, and then a bit of a shove, and it's combined.  Night and day difference from my original set.

Although I was obviously disappointed in my initial experience with the product, I must say I've very impressed with the customer service.  I believe in buying quality products and my time is valuable.  Thanks again to Bob and to Festool for fixing my problem quickly and without any hassle whatsoever.

Now hopefully I can get some work done on my daughter's desk project that I've been needing to complete...   [big grin]

With Bob and Festool on the case I'm not surprised with the outcome. Thanks for taking the time to post the resolution.

 

[peter halle]

I hope that you will be posting pictures here!