RazMan
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| posted on 25/5/06 at 07:38 PM |
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Tiny gas struts?
I'm looking for some little gas struts - the sort of thing you see on the average tin top's boot or bonnet but smaller.
They are for my middy's gull wing windows (all fibreglass so very light) and need to have a very small rate of pressure or it will distort the
window.
I think conventional gas struts will be too powerful or too large so I was wondering if they are used on domestic cupboards or doors etc.
As usual any ideas are appreciated 
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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DIY Si
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| posted on 25/5/06 at 07:42 PM |
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Would a sprung loaded thingy be suitable,or is the change in length too much?
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dave r
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| posted on 25/5/06 at 07:44 PM |
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rs do a range that you can 'let down' to the pressure you require
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JoelP
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| posted on 25/5/06 at 07:51 PM |
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i fit them sometimes in nice kitchens, can get a price if you want. They go on bridging unit doors, and are fairly hard to compress by hand, but feel
lighter when a door is attached.
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graememk
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| posted on 25/5/06 at 08:07 PM |
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my vectra has some small ones as its a saloon, and i think my old audi had them in the handles in the roof
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nib1980
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| posted on 25/5/06 at 08:14 PM |
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Gas struts from overhead locker from a plane would be perfect. i think theres a scrappy at biscester that may have some planes. no seriously he
might.
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RazMan
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| posted on 25/5/06 at 08:19 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by JoelP
i fit them sometimes in nice kitchens, can get a price if you want. They go on bridging unit doors, and are fairly hard to compress by hand, but feel
lighter when a door is attached.
Sounds interesting Joel - any idea on size?
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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RazMan
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| posted on 25/5/06 at 08:20 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by nib1980
Gas struts from overhead locker from a plane would be perfect. i think theres a scrappy at biscester that may have some planes. no seriously he
might.
Really ?? 
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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JoelP
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| posted on 25/5/06 at 08:34 PM |
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at a guess, about 20cm shut and 30 open. I could take a photo tomorrow as im on a job with them now.
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RazMan
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| posted on 25/5/06 at 08:39 PM |
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Certainly worth a look - a pic would be great
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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the_fbi
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| posted on 25/5/06 at 09:53 PM |
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Dave R was right. RS do some very nice ones which you can pump up to exactly the pressure you want.
They are also quite small, about 10-15cm from memory. A guy at work bought some for some odd project but not from RS. I'll find out tomorrow and
post a part# as they are in his drawer still.
Hm.. Just spoken to him, apparently they weren't from RS, but he can't remember where from.
[Edited on 25/5/06 by the_fbi]
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Mave
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| posted on 26/5/06 at 06:47 AM |
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I have some very small ones, which I intend to use for my bootlid. They come from a BMW 3-series convertible. They're used somewhere in the
roof. Extended length is something like 20 cm.
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RazMan
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| posted on 26/5/06 at 07:02 AM |
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Thanks for the info guys - RS site is down at the moment so I can't see what they have to offer.
I have found a manufacturer but they are going to be hideously expensive for a pair. I will have a word with a breaker and see what he has.
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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RazMan
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| posted on 26/5/06 at 07:57 AM |
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Found some in RS but they are £20 each!
They are 160mm long with a 60mm stroke - and adjustable pressure too.
[Edited on 26-5-06 by RazMan]
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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pifular
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| posted on 26/5/06 at 08:35 AM |
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what about an old roof box, they used to have them in. such as thule. they would have a low pressure due to the weight of the lids.
hth.
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RazMan
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| posted on 26/5/06 at 08:43 AM |
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Good idea, although they tend to be quite long due to the size of the lids. I'll have a look at the ones in Halfrauds to see how they do it.
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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the_fbi
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| posted on 26/5/06 at 10:03 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by RazMan
Found some in RS but they are £20 each!
I believe the ones in RS are the same as the ones we have at work.
From http://www.industrialgassprings.com/
Part number off the ones we have here are GS0001-1 51 04 and they are about 22cm long open and 17cm closed.
They weren't cheap though afaik.
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RazMan
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| posted on 26/5/06 at 11:36 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by the_fbi
They weren't cheap though afaik.
You are certainly right there!
I gave them a call and was quoted £50 each
Thanks for the suggestion though
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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Ian Pearson
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| posted on 26/5/06 at 01:19 PM |
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I read an article on an RV 7 Kit Plane builders forum about reducing the pressure in some car gas struts being used for an RV 7 canopy. A strut was
selected and positioned so that it did not compress fully when the canopy was closed. A small groove was cut near the end of the shaft, and by
compressing the strut fully, a small amount of gas was allowed to escape via the small groove as it passed through the seal. The correct pressure was
eventually reached after several trial fittings.
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RazMan
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| posted on 27/5/06 at 06:07 PM |
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Sorted
Just went for a mooch round B&Q and one of their kitchen ranges use a little gas strut for their overhead cupboards. Not sure about the pressure
it can give yet but it's only £7 and really looks the part - it's even painted silver so it matches my car's interior 
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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RazMan
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| posted on 28/5/06 at 05:03 PM |
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Fitted them today - they work a treat, keeping the window section up at a convenient angle. I might have to install a second one when the
polycarbonate window panel is installed due to the extra weight - but that's another day. 
[Edited on 28-5-06 by RazMan]
 
Rescued attachment door strut.jpg
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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Peteff
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| posted on 29/5/06 at 07:47 PM |
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I'd put some spreader plates where the brackets fasten to the edge of the hole to stop it flexing and splitting. There will be a bit of weight
resting on the thin bit of fibreglass when the perspex is fitted.
[Edited on 29/5/06 by Peteff]
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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RazMan
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| posted on 29/5/06 at 08:18 PM |
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I have fitted the lower pivot on a spreader plate (pop rivetted to the fibreglass frame) but there is a main chassis rail about 20mm further away so I
will probably make a bracket to mount it there - that should take care of any flexing.
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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