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?
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
http://www.grainger.com/category/gas-springs-and-d...
RE: Steel Locker: Request Advice on Lift/Support for 52 lb Hinged Cover
That's not the best explanation, sorry.
RE: Steel Locker: Request Advice on Lift/Support for 52 lb Hinged Cover
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."
Have you read FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies to make the best use of these Forums?
RE: Steel Locker: Request Advice on Lift/Support for 52 lb Hinged Cover
or, for instance http://www.stabilus.com/motion-dampers/stab-o-shoc...
RE: Steel Locker: Request Advice on Lift/Support for 52 lb Hinged Cover
Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter
RE: Steel Locker: Request Advice on Lift/Support for 52 lb Hinged Cover
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
Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter
RE: Steel Locker: Request Advice on Lift/Support for 52 lb Hinged Cover
http://www.amazon.com/SUSPA%C2%AE-Spring-Strut-Sho...
better
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_11?url=se...
Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter
RE: Steel Locker: Request Advice on Lift/Support for 52 lb Hinged Cover
Check with the Austin company I have used them in the past to purchase gas springs, they may have what you need.
B.E.
You are judged not by what you know, but by what you can do.