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  • Gas Struts

    I'm looking for a source and advise for gas struts. I'm thinking I want 5, 2 each for the seaplane doors and one to hold the rear passenger door open. Mcmaster has a good selection but the minimum closing force for any of them is 15 pounds. My doors are carbon compostite, rear passenger door weight is 3 1/2 pounds, seems like a 15 pound strut is excessive. Have not completed the seaplane doors yet but I am estimating 8 pounds. I'm thinking two struts to avoid flexing so that would be 30 pound force for closing. Maybe that is about right.

  • #2
    I've usually shopped on ebay for the gas struts. I don't think you want to base your lifting force on the weight of the door though, because it will lack the mechanical advantage of the full height of the door. I think some experimenting is in order

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    • #3
      Amazon is there we got out struts I think. Jared is right on lifting force. We experimented rather than did math. Our rear passenger door would benefit from a lighter strut but the 40lb strut holds the door open nicely when the wind is blowing. Our seaplane doors aren’t heavy, 10lbs SWAG, and I think we have one 30lb strut on each. A 35lb would likely be better.
      Scratch Built 4-place Bearhawk. Continental IO-360, 88" C203 McCauley prop.

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      • #4
        Hey Rod...this is what gas strut I used:

        https://www.amazon.com/C16-08941-C16.../dp/B007MUY76O

        And these ends:

        https://www.amazon.com/TCH-Hardware-.../dp/B07CZPV826

        I have acorn nuts for the ball ends for safety...rounded ends. The struts seem to work just great. If I ever need to change them they are cheap enough to play with. I may even need to go a bit stronger.

        http://www.mykitlog.com/users/displa...=280650&row=51

        The youtube video mentioned at the end has more to do with how I positioned the tabs than the door or struts.

        Paul
        Last edited by alaskabearhawk; 05-02-2021, 02:43 PM.

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        • #5
          A wide range of high quality gas springs ✅ Online gas spring configurator and calculator ✅ Large stock of gas spring replacements ✅ Free shipping in the US.

          Get lift supports, gas struts, springs, & more from Lift Supports Depot. Enjoy 1-on-1, personal service & a limited lifetime warranty on select lift supports!

          Gerry
          Patrol #30

          ​​​​​​​

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          • #6
            McMaster Carr has a nice selection but the lightest weight is 15 pounds.

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            • #7
              I bought my gas struts on Amazon. Went through several sets before I got it right.
              Rob Caldwell
              Lake Norman Airpark (14A), North Carolina
              EAA Chapter 309
              Model B Quick Build Kit Serial # 11B-24B / 25B
              YouTube Channel: http://bearhawklife.video
              1st Flight May 18, 2021

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