Height of Boom Arm Kit installed on the CT 48

[grbmds]

What is the final height of the boom arm when installed on the model made for the CT48? Is it the 7' indicated or is it taller than than as the CT 48 is a bit taller than the 26 and 36.

I just bought the 48 because I was going to use it permanently in my workshop and wanted to get the most capacity I could get.

Since my ceiling is lower than 8' and I have shop light hanging from the ceiling, I may have a problem with clearance (although it seems that would be true with the 26 and 36 also).

Is there a way to shorten the boom arm assembly and still install it properly?

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Sorry for not responding sooner.

The height is the same regardless of which CT it's attached to.

I can't offer any guarantees, but I assume you could cut some length off of the upright between the handle and swivel joint to make it shorter. There's a joint where the boom arm swivels where the lower and upper pieces join.

Shane

[attachimg=#]

 

[Wenyce]

Sorry for not responding sooner.

The height is the same regardless of which CT it's attached to.

I can't offer any guarantees, but I assume you could cut some length off of the upright between the handle and swivel joint to make it shorter. There's a joint where the boom arm swivels where the lower and upper pieces join.

Shane

[attachimg=#]

Yep, bought one from a member here that did just that, my basement clearance is 7ft-2in so it worked beautifully, best of luck.

 

[grbmds]

Sorry for not responding sooner.

The height is the same regardless of which CT it's attached to.

I can't offer any guarantees, but I assume you could cut some length off of the upright between the handle and swivel joint to make it shorter. There's a joint where the boom arm swivels where the lower and upper pieces join.

Shane

[attachimg=#]

Yep, bought one from a member here that did just that, my basement clearance is 7ft-2in so it worked beautifully, best of luck.

Wenyce

Does that mean it was cut or you cut it? Either way can you be more specific about where it was cut? Just want to make sure I understand what is possible before actually buying the boom arm kit.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

I tried to show where in my first reply. Here's an updated image. The section in light red is where you could cut.

 

[RONWEN]

I tried to show where in my first reply. Here's an updated image. The section in light red is where you could cut.

Shane, Is that single tube available from Festool as a replacement?  It might be nice to be able to lower/raise the boom depending on conditions.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

I tried to show where in my first reply. Here's an updated image. The section in light red is where you could cut.

Shane, Is that single tube available from Festool as a replacement?  It might be nice to be able to lower/raise the boom depending on conditions.

Yes, pretty sure. The Boom Arm is on EKAT.

492791 $68.89 USD

 

[johninthecamper]

one thing I did for clearance,put the hose on the bottom,helps some

 

[grbmds]

one thing I did for clearance,put the hose on the bottom,helps some

Because I don't actually have the kit, I'm not completely sure what you mean about "hose on the bottom". I have about 7'4" but there are shop lights hanging down so the effective height is probably under 7'.

 

[copcarcollector]

one thing I did for clearance,put the hose on the bottom,helps some

Because I don't actually have the kit, I'm not completely sure what you mean about "hose on the bottom". I have about 7'4" but there are shop lights hanging down so the effective height is probably under 7'.

The boom arm instructions have you run the hose along the top of the boom arm, but you can also run the hose along the side or the bottom by rotating the hose clips on the arm, which would save you a little in the height department.

I have two hoses on my boom arm, the 27mm runs along the top, and the 36mm runs along the side, not sure if the pics will help but here you go!

[attachimg=#]

[attachimg=#]

 

[RONWEN]

one thing I did for clearance,put the hose on the bottom,helps some

Because I don't actually have the kit, I'm not completely sure what you mean about "hose on the bottom". I have about 7'4" but there are shop lights hanging down so the effective height is probably under 7'.

[attachthumb=#]

(whoops I was too slow with the picture).  [smile]

 

[grbmds]

All the suggestions are good ones. Thanks. I think I need a little more clearance that I would get from turning the hose brackets sideways and mounting the hose that way. The solution it to probably cut the tube to work in my basement shop. I will check on the setup the next time I get to the Woodcraft store I usually go to. They can probably dissassemble the arm on their floor and I will probably see if cutting the tube makes sense for me.

Thanks again.

 

[RONWEN]

All the suggestions are good ones. Thanks. I think I need a little more clearance that I would get from turning the hose brackets sideways and mounting the hose that way. The solution it to probably cut the tube to work in my basement shop. I will check on the setup the next time I get to the Woodcraft store I usually go to. They can probably dissassemble the arm on their floor and I will probably see if cutting the tube makes sense for me.

Thanks again.

I just shortened mine with a hack saw & deburred the cut -- it's perfect now.

 

[grbmds]

I tried to show where in my first reply. Here's an updated image. The section in light red is where you could cut.

Could the bottom piece be cut where it is installed on the frame of the vacuum? It seems that would be the best place to cut it since that point isn't attached to the rest of the overarm tube. It seems from the picture that one of you cut it at the top of that section where it meets the upper section of the tube.

 

[Corwin]

I tried to show where in my first reply. Here's an updated image. The section in light red is where you could cut.

Could the bottom piece be cut where it is installed on the frame of the vacuum? It seems that would be the best place to cut it since that point isn't attached to the rest of the overarm tube. It seems from the picture that one of you cut it at the top of that section where it meets the upper section of the tube.

Yes, the bottom of the lower tube looks to be a better location to cut some off of the Boom Arm.  Cutting the lower portion off would require that you cut off the required length and then cut in the notch that engages with the handle's lower bracket.  If instead you were to cut off some of the upper portion of the lower tube, you would save having to cut a new lower notch, but instead have to drill a new hole where the bolt is that ties the upper and lower tubes together, and also debur the new cut such that it will still accept the upper tube.  Seems to me that cutting some off from the lower end of the lower tube would present less potential for error on your part.  Any deformation (due to your cutting) to the top of the lower tube will make the fit between upper and lower tubes a potential problem.  And any misalignment in a newly drilled bolt hole in the upper portion of the lower tube may be yet another potential issue...  So, if I were in your shoes, I'd cut from the bottom of the lower tube.

 

[RONWEN]

I tried to show where in my first reply. Here's an updated image. The section in light red is where you could cut.

Could the bottom piece be cut where it is installed on the frame of the vacuum? It seems that would be the best place to cut it since that point isn't attached to the rest of the overarm tube. It seems from the picture that one of you cut it at the top of that section where it meets the upper section of the tube.

I believe that is what Shane actually intended -- I sawed mine off at the bottom where it sets on the CT.  If it gets cut at the upper (red shaded) area you need to re-drill the cross hole for the tool hanger bracket.

(Corwin beat me to the punch and said it more eloquently).  [smile]

 

[grbmds]

Thanks for confirmation about cutting the bottom end. I talked with a Festool regional sales rep at the Woodcraft I go to over the weekend in Madison, WI. Although he stopped short of telling exactly what to do, he did agree that the cutting the bottom would be fairly easy and he has heard of doing that. Also, either he or the Woodcraft store manager said that, not recutting the slot wouldn't hurt anything. The slot merely stops the boom arm from swinging around 360 degrees and, in use, the additional rotating might be useful. Anyway I ordered it because it's a great solution (although pricey). While I could make it, I suppose, it does seem a little like trying to re-create something which is already, to a large degree, a "perfect" solution. Hard to improve on it or even match it exactly unless you are very skilled at this type of work. I don't think I fit that description.