Yet Another Cheap Boom Arm

coho10

Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2014
Messages
38
I almost pulled the trigger on a boom arm during the 15% off sale, but just couldn't do it.  I'm glad I didn't, since it inspired me to do make my own.  I used some rigid conduit, pipe straps, and a small attachment to my dust deputy.  Works great so far and saved a bunch of money.

 

Attachments

  • IMG_1056.JPG
    IMG_1056.JPG
    1.9 MB · Views: 5,245
  • IMG_1057.JPG
    IMG_1057.JPG
    1.7 MB · Views: 2,903
  • IMG_1058.JPG
    IMG_1058.JPG
    1.6 MB · Views: 2,813
Very well done, an elegant solution! I also fabricated my own though mine is for a stationary setup, but I love it and it was cheap.  [big grin]
 
Not sure what I did wrong....any help in fixing these pictures' orientation?
 
Nice...

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]
 

Attachments

  • q.JPG
    q.JPG
    374.2 KB · Views: 11,449
  • qq.JPG
    qq.JPG
    328.3 KB · Views: 12,733
  • qqq.JPG
    qqq.JPG
    299 KB · Views: 10,380
Great job.  What diameter conduit did you use and how difficult was it to bend?  I like the simplicity very much.
 
Great job! Any chance you cant tell me about that green hose or hose sleeve?
                                                                Thanks Barry
 
Great design and execution. Looks very slick.
What I really like is your box on the DC to hold the Dust Deputy and what caught my eye was the sander holder - Very nice.
I built a very simple boom which is fixed to my Table and can rotate a good 300°.
I really appreciate this ability and flexibility  when working with the hose overhead.
Does your boom rotate sideways or is it fixed to stop tipping?

 
Thanks!  I use that sander all the time, so it rarely goes back into its systainer.  The boom arm rotates 360 degrees, though it rarely moves more than 120 degrees. 
 
Hello,

New to the forum. thanks for all the great info and ideas. Here's a cheap boom arm I made for my old MFT table. It's just 1" copper pipe. It has to be type L pipe or it won't be strong enough. If you go 1 1/4" type L it, would hold a massive load. Sweating the parts together is easy and scrap plywood is all you need for the mount. T-bolts hold it all to the table. Thanks
 

Attachments

  • hose cord clip 3.JPG
    hose cord clip 3.JPG
    563.2 KB · Views: 1,049
  • hose cord clip 2.JPG
    hose cord clip 2.JPG
    501.5 KB · Views: 1,033
  • hose cord clip 1.JPG
    hose cord clip 1.JPG
    487.9 KB · Views: 1,055
  • boom arm 2.JPG
    boom arm 2.JPG
    556.2 KB · Views: 1,514
  • boom arm 1.JPG
    boom arm 1.JPG
    659.3 KB · Views: 1,504
  • shelf.JPG
    shelf.JPG
    604.4 KB · Views: 1,079
Nice if you have the copper and fittings already but for anyone that would have to buy the pipe and fittings the cost would be higher (and not any stronger) than other materials I think. I think you could make a boom arm just as strong out of one 10 foot length of 1-1/4" EMT conduit. It would be completely smooth inside so nothing for small bits of wood or dust to build up on, lower cost, and you could paint it with a quick coat of spray to match the Festool gray of the vac if you choose to do so. Also, 1-1/4" (nominal size, actual Id is ~1.38" or ~35mm) is about the same size as the hose. You could use it as part of your vacuum and attach a hose on the end of the boom and make a short connector hose from the vac or dust separator to the bottom of the boom arm. You could also use 1-1/2" EMT, the difference in price is minimal.
 
I use schedule 1" 80 pvc pipe and fittings inserted into 1 1/4" (I think) electrical out door pvc to make the height adjustable.  I've made three so far for various areas in my shops.  Another plus is that I do not glue the parts making modification and transport easy.
I attach my hoses with carabiners or 2" steel rings attached to the pipe with velcro.
 
Back
Top