Support Tubes for CT-ASA (Boom Arm)/CT33

[john mccall]

I have taken delivery of a new boom arm for my CT33 and just completed the assembly.  The "support tubes" (outriggers or support arms) seem to be overkill and a pain.  Too awkward and too cumbersome.  Does anyone routinely use these when using the boom?  I can see where they might be helpful if the boom arm is routinely operated at 90 deg. to the 33, but it is a hassle to reassemble the support arms every time the collector is to be used.  Have you managed to turn yours over when using the boom?

 

[pteubel]

I removed them almost as soon as I installed them. More of a pain than anything. No issues with tipping, although I usually have a heavy systainer on the vac.

 

[Brice Burrell]

John, I don't use mine and I have my boom arm at about 45-50 degrees to the vac at all times. Never had the thing tip over.

 

[brandon.nickel]

My outriggers are installed, but I don't think I've ever extended them.  I've knocked the vacuum over but I was trying to get it to come towards me by pulling the hose.  It doesn't follow nearly as well with the boom arm on as it does with just the hose.  Or at all, actually.

 

[Sweet]

John, removed mine day one of using the boom arm on site. Makes the portable system, slightly less portable. Haven't had a problem with CT22 tipping over. Maybe Festool are covering their a**es somewhat and thinking through every scenario?

That said after this weekend's epic shop-fitting job, I'm considering buying a CT Mini. With no boom arm! Im gonna have to get a bigger van too......

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I still have the supporting arms on mine; they do frequently interfere when I need to reposition the vacuum/boom to reach around some tall workpiece.  I am considering removing them and adding some weight to the underside of the vacuum unit, e.g a slab of 3/4" MDF to reduce the likelihood of tipping.  The slab would be mounted so it could slid out of the mounts before lifting the vacuum machine.  Has anyone tried this?

Dave R.

 

[Dan Clark]

I removed mine, but I like the idea of keeping them installed and shortening them so they don't hit the front wheels.

Dan.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I removed mine, but I like the idea of keeping them installed and shortening them so they don't hit the front wheels.

Dan.

  Someone, I think it was DD suggested cutting them, no need to do that. Just raise the support tubes so they don't hit the front wheels.

 

[butzla]

I just took delivery of my boom arm/stand.  The instructions are awful.  But aside from that I am very impressed.  The upright arms are high quality and heavy duty. I couldn't get over how heavy thery are.  The plastic support brackets are engineered as I'd expect from Festool.  Everything went together beautifully, only a couple of redo's where I had the brackets in bass-ackwards.  I have the CT positioned between 2 workbenches so now I can effortlessly swing boom arm between the two.  I have the outriggers installed but I can see they will be coming off very soon.  They just get in the way.  If you are buying one soon, don't bother with them.

I give the handle and boom arm 3 snaps up!