Festool Boom Arm rig for CT 26

[dennylj]

Hi Guys,
I'm considering buying the Boom Arm for the CT 26.  I have a basement shop where head room is an issue if the boom arm is 7' high from floor level.  I have only 80 inches clearance under two steel beams in my basement so that moving the CT with boom arm around the basement would be problematic.  If the boom arm would be 4 inches shorter, i.e., instead of 7' high it could be reduced to 6'8", problem would be solved.  I had a look at the boom arm assembly at Lee Valley here in Ottawa and it appears feasible to cut 4" from the vertical tube where it meets the base of the CT.  Anyone have/had a similar problem?  Is it possible to do as I suggest?
Cheers,
Denny

 

[DKurzweil]

I had a similar problem a few weeks ago when I got the boom arm.  I measured my ceiling but forgot the drop down of the beam that runs right through the middle of my shop.

The boom arm was only about 1/4" too high so I cut off a full inch from the bottom.  I used a heavy duty tubing cutter to get a clean burr free cut.  The only other modification I made was to drill a hole through the bottom of the tube, and the plastic holder it rests in. I stuck a 3/16" bolt through.  This prevents the tube from rotating freely and seems more secure to me than the little tab that festool originally had on the bottom. 

Hope this helps,

Daniel

 

[dennylj]

Thanks Daniel.  Comforting to know that cutting the tube doesn't compromise the integrity of the boom arm.
Cheers
Denny

 

[DKurzweil]

Not a problem.  Just be sure to prevent free rotation of the tube by either through bolting as I explained or by some other method.  If you need any help or a better explanation of what I mean by that just let me know.

Best,

Daniel

 

[Sparktrician]

I had the same problem with a low central structural support member in my basement shop and had to cut 5" out of the top of the lower tube to get things to fit under that member.  A Sawzall with a hacksaw blade, followed by a 4 1/2" grinder, took care of the removal necessitating only the re-drilling of the lower tube to accommodate the through bolt.  It worked fine.  Now if I ever move from here, I can replace the lower tube if I feel like it and be back to standard height. 

[smile]

 

[festoolviking]

The other day I made a cheap mock up boom-arm for my MIDI. I had some scrap alloy profile lying around, some plywood, a 50mm PVC pipe and two joints for the pipe. One joint fits perfect in the vac and the other one fits the hose. I've got a small shop with a low ceiling, just short of 2 meters. Luckily I'm not a basketball-player [smile]. This works fine for me.

[attachimg=1]

Mock up Boom-Arm

[attachimg=2]

Close Up

Festoolviking

 

[GPowers]

Nice home made boom for limited head room.

 

[dennylj]

Clever piece of work, Festoolviking!  Thanks for posting the pictures.
Denny

 

[dennylj]

Thanks for the post, Sparktrician.  I'll give  your method a try.

Daniel, I understand your point about drilling a hole through the tube and seat to accommodate a bolt to prevent the boom arm from swinging unrestricted.
Cheers,
Denny

 

[GreenGA]

That is one nice, well laid out shop, FestoolViking.  You take excellent advantage of what little space you have.

I am impressed. [thumbs up]

The other day I made a cheap mock up boom-arm for my MIDI. I had some scrap alloy profile lying around, some plywood, a 50mm PVC pipe and two joints for the pipe. One joint fits perfect in the vac and the other one fits the hose. I've got a small shop with a low ceiling, just short of 2 meters. Luckily I'm not a basketball-player [smile]. This works fine for me.

[attachimg=1]

Mock up Boom-Arm

[attachimg=2]

Close Up

Festoolviking

 

[vwdave]

Nice tips on cutting one of the poles to lower the boom arm height. I'm planning on picking up the boom arm ant ct26 before the price increase.  I was hoping to be able to fit it in my work truck which has a 6' stand up height inside. How easy is the boom arm set up to take apart?

Dave

 

[Brice Burrell]

Nice tips on cutting one of the poles to lower the boom arm height. I'm planning on picking up the boom arm ant ct26 before the price increase.  I was hoping to be able to fit it in my work truck which has a 6' stand up height inside. How easy is the boom arm set up to take apart?

Dave

Dave, don't cut it.  You can pop the upper section of the boom off super easy for transport.

 

[vwdave]

Thanks Brice. I'd rather not cut it at all. 

Dave