Boom Arm Struts?

[MrToolJunkie]

I recently bought a used Boom Arm and handle but it is missing the struts.  How important are they or is it something that no one really uses?  It does have the two stabilizer arms and the hardware to connect the struts.  I would appreciate any comments as I can order through EKAT if they are a must-have and the seller cannot locate them.  Thanks!

Scot

 

[nclemmons]

I have the two outrigger arms but don't use the cross braces to connec them.  I assume those are what you are referring to as missing.n And the outriggers are close to the sides of the vac 98 percent of the time.  If you are careful with how you move the vac I think you will be fine.

Neil

 

[Brice Burrell]

I've never used the the outriggers.

 

[ccarrolladams]

Scott,

When the boom arm is set to reach over the CT, the outriggers and struts are not vital.

My own Festool boom is set so it goes away from the CT. This is only practical with the outriggers and struts used with a maximum spread.

The boom arm swivels from side to side, so when it goes toward the back without outriggers it would tip to the sides.

Only you know how you need to use your boom arm.

 

[Jesse Cloud]

If you ever feel like your CT is unstable, then get some struts.  Frankly, mine are back in the corner with the blade guard from my Unisaw.  You can have them for the cost of shipping. [big grin]

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Thanks for the replies.  I think it will work fine without them based on feedback thus far.  The picture on the web and in the catalogue is not clear on the struts and what they look like.  I do have the two outrigger arms and I believe these can be tightened down.  Do the struts just connect the two outriggers together?    Thanks!

Scot

 

[RONWEN]

I've never used mine or had any thoughts that I should be using them -- I have the impression they were added to the package not so much by the engineers but by the Festool product liability attorneys.  [unsure]

 

[Corwin]

I only installed those struts to check out the setup when I first got my Boom Arm -- haven't used them since.  These struts are simply X-bracing for the two outrigger arms and attach to the two holes on each of the arms. 

 

[PaulMarcel]

+1 on having installed the outriggers for a day then storing them ever since.  Can't recall one time I felt the CT-22 was unstable.  I think RonWen's on to something...

 

[bobbobbob]

I too have installed them and never used them.  Maybe some extra parts for a future project?  Just never un-installed them.  To the OP, I don't think you are missing anything by not having them.

 

[Sparktrician]

I installed the outriggers and cross-bracing when the assembly arrived, but find that the damn things were always in the way, tripping me up or hanging up on the MFT legs, so off they came, and are stashed for some time when they might be useful.  The boom arm is over the MFTs when in use, and there's enough play to accommodate my work, and I've never felt that the CT22 was unstable, even at the extents of the boom arm's reach.  I think RonWen's onto something. 

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Thanks, guys!  Sounds like I am not missing anything by not having them.  Who knows, the person I bought it from may find them but I am not going to lose any sleep over it.  Appreciate the comments from everyone as usual...it is great to be on this group!

Scot

 

[PaulMarcel]

Thanks, guys!  Sounds like I am not missing anything by not having them.  Who knows, the person I bought it from may find them but I am not going to lose any sleep over it.  Appreciate the comments from everyone as usual...it is great to be on this group!

Scot

Likely the seller did the same thing as we did: stashed them somewhere on day 2 then forgot the stash.  I keep them on the beer fridge.  Maybe I should attach them, instead, so the fridge doesn't fall over and spill...

 

[Alaska Ranger]

Those struts aren't useless:

They DO come with four very nice carriage bolts and thumbscrew-thingies

 

[mavrick1903]

The only time I've seen a CT unstable, the boomarm was 180 from the vac, empty, with nothin on top. Personally, I keep a sortainer full of screws, and my centrotec set on top, that's plenty of weight it's solid. The boom arm is not able to even go 180 when assembled correctly, the one I saw was not assembled with the limit screw. Mine, for that matter is not either, but I've never had an issue with what I keep on top.