Two questions about boom arm

[Jesse Cloud]

Put together my new boom arm today - wow, what a jewel!  Now I see why Festool charges so much for it.  Couple of questions, though...

1. Came up with one extra part - a hose clamp.  Don't see it listed in the parts explosion or in the instructions.  What's it for?

2. I followed the instructions for taking off the crossbars and sliding the support tubes around to make the contraption mobile.  Seems awfully kludgy.  Is that because I'm new at this or is it really that bad?  Any tricks for a quick and easy move?

I can tell already I'm gonna love this beast.  No more catching the vac hose on the edge of the table while I'm routing!! whoo hoo! ;D

 

[Brice Burrell]

Jesse, off the top of my head, the hose clamp is to go on the bottom of the first tube of the boom arm, where is attaches to the vac. I didn't use it, I see no need for it.

I've, never tried to use the support arms, again, I don't use them. They seem "kludgy" to me no matter how they are used.

 

[tvgordon]

I don't use the support arms either, but I have a small crowded shop so there is something on boths sides of the vacuum to keep it from tipping.
Tom.

 

[Tinker]

I don't use the support arms either, but I have a small crowded shop so there is something on boths sides of the vacuum to keep it from tipping.
Tom.

I don't use the boom arm supports either.  i have a low ceiling and have the boom set as low as possible without touching floor.  This lessens the leverage from the top to cause tipping.  No problems here.

Tinker

 

[Corwin]

Jesse,

Don't ignore that little hose clamp!  I mentioned this in another thread (maybe it was Dan's Boom Arm review) how the clamp is mounted.  Anyway, you will want to install the hose clamp just above the bottom end of the Boom Arm's lower tube.  The hose clamp should be installed snug against the underside of the power cord holder to prevent the lower tube from lifting up and off the half-round slot it fits into just below.  And since this hose clamp is located right where your hand passes while wrapping the cord, adjust the position of the clamp so when tightened the excess does not present a hazard...

Now about those support tubes...  I leave mine folded forward where they are out of the way, yet there when needed if I ever swing the arm around to the handle side.  The support tube and crossbar arrangement may not be the best design, but the function of the Boom Arm in general more than makes up!