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Steel Locker: Request Advice on Lift/Support for 52 lb Hinged Cover

Steel Locker: Request Advice on Lift/Support for 52 lb Hinged Cover

Steel Locker: Request Advice on Lift/Support for 52 lb Hinged Cover

(OP)
Making a steel chest (foot-locker) for high-value item storage.

3/16 steel cover, 54 inch x 18 inch, so it will weigh 51 lbs, plus locks and hardware.

The cover is mounted with a piano hinge on the back side, and so will "close" down like any foot locker or chest, and that presents a finger-hazard if it slams shut.

The catalogs for lockers and chests like Rockler have lift-assist pairs, but those are for lighter weight covers (10 to 15 pounds) made of wood. Rockler's catalog for example has 15 - 60 inch pound spring-assist lifts for example.)

Would I be able to get the car back tailgate type air-lifts to substitute: The back door of any typical SUV or van is going to weigh more than 50 lbs, so capacity should be ok. Reliability OK. Mounting the two lift assist might require some thought and finagling, but should be do-able with little excess effort.

Anybody anticipate problems?

RE: Steel Locker: Request Advice on Lift/Support for 52 lb Hinged Cover

I've seen some similar situations where there was also a lightly spring-loaded device that blocked the last inch of closure (to save fingers) unless a latch was pressed. The idea being that the final inch of closure was thus fail-safe forced to be slow as it was just the last inch of movement (impossible to be full distance free fall).

That's not the best explanation, sorry.

RE: Steel Locker: Request Advice on Lift/Support for 52 lb Hinged Cover

Any automotive store should carry gas springs, but not sure if the rate is printed on the packaging. You might also consider lid supports or stays: http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-furniture-bracke...

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RE: Steel Locker: Request Advice on Lift/Support for 52 lb Hinged Cover

I was browsing a catalog aimlessly and came across a page of gas shock listings. There were several that I thought would handle your lid.

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

RE: Steel Locker: Request Advice on Lift/Support for 52 lb Hinged Cover

(OP)
Please let me know the catalog id - I agree with the above recommendations that those commercial/car tailgate struts are the right solution.

Haven't found a good worksheet on-line with layout recommendations: Enidine ITT has been sold, and the new company has not called back with info nor recommendations. Blah - You'd figure even a small sale would attract at least an advertisement or two.

Fixing the strut endpoints seems a game of assuming closed and open end points, calc the moment arm from support location to CG -> compare back to strut allowable forces and also end-point to end-point lengths and compare to strut max and minimum lengths -> move endpoints -> repeat above.

RE: Steel Locker: Request Advice on Lift/Support for 52 lb Hinged Cover

As soon as I locate the information I will post it. It may have been a Canadian catalog which may be a problem for you. The point of my post was that gas shocks exist in a suitable size range for your application.

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

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