Thunderstorm 1, Gooseneck 0

[zuma hans 1]

Great replies, thanks all.

I am buying the replacement part from the mothership, but plan on building my own to replace it. I'll carry the factory replacement as a spare.

I'll let you know, Chip, when I run into the inevitable problem.

[zuma hans 1]

The part arrived in the mail - but without the holes drilled thru the cast aluminum!

At first I thought it was a booboo, I called Bill and he said they'd mail me one with the holes drilled in it.

He just called back to say they don't drill the holes at the factory, that I would be better served using the holes in the boom as templates and drill thru the cast aluminum with the gooseneck in place in the boom.

Makes sense.

[Chip Hindes]

Given the lack of precision of the end cap and how difficult it would be to fixture it for repeatable, precision drilling, I'm not at all surprised that the holes are drilled on assembly at the factory. I'm sure what they do is fixture the boom (precision extrusion, very repeatable) stick the cap in and drill the whole business.

I'm kind of surprised Bill didn't know that.

[Paul S]

Given the lack of precision

Lack of precision..I will leave that comment alone!

[zuma hans 1]

I'm kind of surprised Bill didn't know that.

I think he was, too. I'm such an idiot it never occured to me.