martin felder
Member
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2019
- Messages
- 125
For years, I used the Festool boom arm connected to a CT-36, but found the limitation being that it swiveled at only one point, and only worked best over a narrow work area unless the vac was moved (to be in the way). Since I was not needing portability, I wanted to find a boom arm that had a swivel point in the middle that could be mounted overhead. I was aware of the massive ASA-5000 from Festool that is not easily obtained in the USA, but that was not practical for my shop. On this Forum, I became aware of the Prometheus Boom arm sold by RTS Engineering.
I looked for alternatives, and see that a lot of people have made their own swivel boom arms, but I did not find an example of one with a middle swivel point, which is what makes the "sweet spot" along the entire range extension. The Prometheus appeared to be exactly what I was looking for. I purchased a Promethius in the longer length, and paid $1,599 (boom arm-shipping) by PayPal. As it was being shipped, I took down my old boom arm for sale, re-organized the shop, and made a mounting bracket that would span 3 wall studs. I wanted to be ready!
When it arrived, what I remember was that the box was not all that sturdy. Normally, I use a box cutter along the length of the box, and open it. This was different. There was a lot of clear tape all around very thin cardboard with 2 loose pieces of strapping. This box was best opened more in pieces with my hands and scissors. In looking at a picture on another thread with this boom arm in the box (see picture) I guess it was not really put in a box, but a couple of thin cardboard boxes that were put together with overlap and held together with tape. Any impact would not have dented the ends much as there was not much distance between the box and the wrapped boom arm ends inside. I did not care. I do not store boxes.
The first step of installation is the mounting bracket. The problem was that bronze bearings have to be inserted in the boom arm before the boom arm can be connected to the mounting bracket. The bearing would not fit. There was a slight dent. That means it was either dented before or during shipment. I was advised to try to hit it with a hammer to get it bent back. That did not work. I did not think it would, but I wanted to do what was recommended. I then got out my Dremel and with a rotary file, fixed the problem (see picture).
[attachimg=8]
Once it was mounted and before I could use it, I noticed a major sag developed in the second section. Major problem. I looked more closely and saw a bent gear. I sent pictures to RTS Engineering. The following morning, I disassembled the 2 sections to take a much closer look and took and sent more pictures.
[attachimg=9]
I saw several areas where paint was missing on the new boom arm. However, when brushing against it as I went to unscrew something, I noticed the paint came off. I went to check with my finger nail, and was able to remove paint by running my not so sharp thumbnail across. I would have expected the paint to be more durable, and I do not really care too much about the paint since things should not be rubbing on it when eventually used, but I could not be sure then how much was damage and how much was from the paint not sticking well.
[attachimg=3]
I was trying to see what was contributing to the sag. I checked my installation, and the mounting bracket was level as was the part of the boom arm that was attached. However, at the other end of the first section, it was not level. That could contribute to sag, but perhaps it was just a little off and of no real significance. I would not have even checked if no major problem. The major issue was not only a major bend in the gear, but the fact that the screw was loose as it was pulled out of the thread. It could not be screwed back in. It was blown out.
[attachimg=5]
When I contacted RTS Engineering, I was advised to use a hammer to try to flatten out the gear and I could get a replacement gear. It was suggested I enlarge the hole in the gear and tap the bracket to accept a larger screw and get a replacement screw. At this point, I decided that it would be best that I return it can get a replacement. Maybe some of you would say I should have just tried to hammer and tap, but I do not work with metal, and if I was a bit off, I could see that interfering with the function. I also thought, I paid $1,599, full price, for a new boom arm, and this was a bit much. When I requested a replacement, that did not go over too well.
I was told that if I wanted to return the boom arm, I would have to file a damage claim with UPS because if the seller did it, that would be fraud since it was me, the buyer, that was able to assess the damage. I looked on the UPS website, and it does say that the buyer or seller can file a claim, but they encourage the seller to submit the claim. It is true that the buyer is always the one able to assess the damage best, but I would not think UPS would be recommending fraud on the website. Anyhow, I filed the claim. I was informed, in writing by the seller, that I would be responsible for return shipping cost as he would not cover shipping until we found out about the disposition of the UPS claim. I asked the seller if he could ship a new one as the damaged one was being returned. I explained that unfortunately due to Covid-19, I was not able to work much, and it was the one time in 20 years I had a lot of time to work on my shop. The shop was re-arranged, and things were taken down along the walls to prepare for boom arm and I really wanted to get certain things done without further delay. I asked if he could please ship a replacement the next day, if I returned the damaged boom arm the same day. I was told I needed to ship first. No problem. That was on April 5.
The following morning, I contacted the UPS store so I could have them box and return the boom arm and I was planning to pay for that so it would ship. They did not have a box long enough. I went to home depot, got a sheet of 3/4 thick plywood and with plywood and screws, made a box. I did not request reimbursement. As I was about to take it to UPS after making the box, a UPS driver showed up unannounced to pick up the box! Anyhow, sure. I did not have to pay or take the box for shipment. I took pictures of the box with the boom arm in it before and after it was screwed shut and a picture of it being loaded on the truck hoping then the replacement would be shipped. I sent tracking info and a picture of the label on the box.
[attachimg=6]
However, I was then told by the seller that if he were to ship a new boom arm, maybe I would be sending a box of rocks-bricks, so no! I really had no way to prove I did not swap boom arm for rocks between pictures before closing the lid. I just requested that when he got it, confirmed it was a real boom arm as described, he would ship that one after repair, or preferably a replacement without delay. I was hoping to use the free time to set it up. I was assured it should be an easy fix for him where it could go out the day after he got it back. I thought about the box of rocks-bricks issue, and offered to pay for a second boom arm by PayPal to avoid delay in sending a replacement. If indeed he were to then open the box and find bricks-rocks, he would have payment and a sale for 2 boom arms instead of one. No reply.
RTS Engineering received the boom arm back on April 13. The shipping is to and from "Full Blown Motorsports" not RTS Engineering. On April 14, I was told by the seller he was not notified of arrival until that evening. I was assured by the seller he did not forsee any problem with it getting repaired that evening, and shipped back the following day, April 15. Great! No problem! On April 16, I was told that regretfully, it would not ship until the following morning (April 17). I still did not get a tracking number. When I inquired, the seller said he believed the shipment went out, but he did not get a tracking number from the shipping clerk. A bit disappointing as I was hoping for a quick turnaround given the circumstances, and no dispute about my description of the problem. I never did get a reply with a tracking number that day or the following day or the day after that. Then, 2 days ago, Monday April 20, I was told the seller had a message in for the shipping clerk and I would get it when he responds. Yesterday morning, April 21, I talked to the seller, who said it was a bit early in the day (after 9 AM) and he would get back to me.
That evening, after no reply or tracking number, I sent an email to the seller indicating that if I can't get confirmation that it went out Friday (so I could have it this weekend) I would be contacting PayPal and requesting a refund. Enough. Shortly after that, I received a tracking number. It went out at 7:29PM April 21, and would arrive by the end of the day Monday April 27.
I think if it works and holds up, it will be a great boom arm. If I had to do it over again, I would have kept the boom arm I had. However, it is on the way, and I invested a lot of time in this already. I will post a followup after arrival once I can actually use it.
I looked for alternatives, and see that a lot of people have made their own swivel boom arms, but I did not find an example of one with a middle swivel point, which is what makes the "sweet spot" along the entire range extension. The Prometheus appeared to be exactly what I was looking for. I purchased a Promethius in the longer length, and paid $1,599 (boom arm-shipping) by PayPal. As it was being shipped, I took down my old boom arm for sale, re-organized the shop, and made a mounting bracket that would span 3 wall studs. I wanted to be ready!
When it arrived, what I remember was that the box was not all that sturdy. Normally, I use a box cutter along the length of the box, and open it. This was different. There was a lot of clear tape all around very thin cardboard with 2 loose pieces of strapping. This box was best opened more in pieces with my hands and scissors. In looking at a picture on another thread with this boom arm in the box (see picture) I guess it was not really put in a box, but a couple of thin cardboard boxes that were put together with overlap and held together with tape. Any impact would not have dented the ends much as there was not much distance between the box and the wrapped boom arm ends inside. I did not care. I do not store boxes.
The first step of installation is the mounting bracket. The problem was that bronze bearings have to be inserted in the boom arm before the boom arm can be connected to the mounting bracket. The bearing would not fit. There was a slight dent. That means it was either dented before or during shipment. I was advised to try to hit it with a hammer to get it bent back. That did not work. I did not think it would, but I wanted to do what was recommended. I then got out my Dremel and with a rotary file, fixed the problem (see picture).
[attachimg=8]
Once it was mounted and before I could use it, I noticed a major sag developed in the second section. Major problem. I looked more closely and saw a bent gear. I sent pictures to RTS Engineering. The following morning, I disassembled the 2 sections to take a much closer look and took and sent more pictures.
[attachimg=9]
I saw several areas where paint was missing on the new boom arm. However, when brushing against it as I went to unscrew something, I noticed the paint came off. I went to check with my finger nail, and was able to remove paint by running my not so sharp thumbnail across. I would have expected the paint to be more durable, and I do not really care too much about the paint since things should not be rubbing on it when eventually used, but I could not be sure then how much was damage and how much was from the paint not sticking well.
[attachimg=3]
I was trying to see what was contributing to the sag. I checked my installation, and the mounting bracket was level as was the part of the boom arm that was attached. However, at the other end of the first section, it was not level. That could contribute to sag, but perhaps it was just a little off and of no real significance. I would not have even checked if no major problem. The major issue was not only a major bend in the gear, but the fact that the screw was loose as it was pulled out of the thread. It could not be screwed back in. It was blown out.
[attachimg=5]
When I contacted RTS Engineering, I was advised to use a hammer to try to flatten out the gear and I could get a replacement gear. It was suggested I enlarge the hole in the gear and tap the bracket to accept a larger screw and get a replacement screw. At this point, I decided that it would be best that I return it can get a replacement. Maybe some of you would say I should have just tried to hammer and tap, but I do not work with metal, and if I was a bit off, I could see that interfering with the function. I also thought, I paid $1,599, full price, for a new boom arm, and this was a bit much. When I requested a replacement, that did not go over too well.
I was told that if I wanted to return the boom arm, I would have to file a damage claim with UPS because if the seller did it, that would be fraud since it was me, the buyer, that was able to assess the damage. I looked on the UPS website, and it does say that the buyer or seller can file a claim, but they encourage the seller to submit the claim. It is true that the buyer is always the one able to assess the damage best, but I would not think UPS would be recommending fraud on the website. Anyhow, I filed the claim. I was informed, in writing by the seller, that I would be responsible for return shipping cost as he would not cover shipping until we found out about the disposition of the UPS claim. I asked the seller if he could ship a new one as the damaged one was being returned. I explained that unfortunately due to Covid-19, I was not able to work much, and it was the one time in 20 years I had a lot of time to work on my shop. The shop was re-arranged, and things were taken down along the walls to prepare for boom arm and I really wanted to get certain things done without further delay. I asked if he could please ship a replacement the next day, if I returned the damaged boom arm the same day. I was told I needed to ship first. No problem. That was on April 5.
The following morning, I contacted the UPS store so I could have them box and return the boom arm and I was planning to pay for that so it would ship. They did not have a box long enough. I went to home depot, got a sheet of 3/4 thick plywood and with plywood and screws, made a box. I did not request reimbursement. As I was about to take it to UPS after making the box, a UPS driver showed up unannounced to pick up the box! Anyhow, sure. I did not have to pay or take the box for shipment. I took pictures of the box with the boom arm in it before and after it was screwed shut and a picture of it being loaded on the truck hoping then the replacement would be shipped. I sent tracking info and a picture of the label on the box.
[attachimg=6]
However, I was then told by the seller that if he were to ship a new boom arm, maybe I would be sending a box of rocks-bricks, so no! I really had no way to prove I did not swap boom arm for rocks between pictures before closing the lid. I just requested that when he got it, confirmed it was a real boom arm as described, he would ship that one after repair, or preferably a replacement without delay. I was hoping to use the free time to set it up. I was assured it should be an easy fix for him where it could go out the day after he got it back. I thought about the box of rocks-bricks issue, and offered to pay for a second boom arm by PayPal to avoid delay in sending a replacement. If indeed he were to then open the box and find bricks-rocks, he would have payment and a sale for 2 boom arms instead of one. No reply.
RTS Engineering received the boom arm back on April 13. The shipping is to and from "Full Blown Motorsports" not RTS Engineering. On April 14, I was told by the seller he was not notified of arrival until that evening. I was assured by the seller he did not forsee any problem with it getting repaired that evening, and shipped back the following day, April 15. Great! No problem! On April 16, I was told that regretfully, it would not ship until the following morning (April 17). I still did not get a tracking number. When I inquired, the seller said he believed the shipment went out, but he did not get a tracking number from the shipping clerk. A bit disappointing as I was hoping for a quick turnaround given the circumstances, and no dispute about my description of the problem. I never did get a reply with a tracking number that day or the following day or the day after that. Then, 2 days ago, Monday April 20, I was told the seller had a message in for the shipping clerk and I would get it when he responds. Yesterday morning, April 21, I talked to the seller, who said it was a bit early in the day (after 9 AM) and he would get back to me.
That evening, after no reply or tracking number, I sent an email to the seller indicating that if I can't get confirmation that it went out Friday (so I could have it this weekend) I would be contacting PayPal and requesting a refund. Enough. Shortly after that, I received a tracking number. It went out at 7:29PM April 21, and would arrive by the end of the day Monday April 27.
I think if it works and holds up, it will be a great boom arm. If I had to do it over again, I would have kept the boom arm I had. However, it is on the way, and I invested a lot of time in this already. I will post a followup after arrival once I can actually use it.
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level issue.jpg193.7 KB · Views: 1,364
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