| Author | Message | ||
| David Anderson (66.90.199.77) Rating: |
I can't find a suitable strut to hold up some overhead cabinet doors. I bought the mini struts from RV Surplus. They aren't strong enough. I've been to the auto parts stores and looked a gas struts. They have an assortment of sizes, but don't list the lbs. on the strut, and they have no mounting brackets, just holes. I never could compress anything I tried. I'm afraid those might break the face frame of my cabinet. I know there is something out there that works. I just don't know where to look. I need a strut about 12" or shorter to fit these doors. Anyone have an idea where to find these critters? Thanks, David Anderson | ||
| Chris (68.61.104.53) Rating: N/A |
Have you considered spring loaded hinges? Someone, somewhere must sell some kind of "trick" setup; plus you won't have the obstruction of the "triangle" that would be created using some sort of support. High-end cabinetmakers would definitely set you down the right path. | ||
| Bill Gerrie (216.185.72.146)
Rating: N/A |
David Go to selbyhardware.com. Go to locking lid supports. Look at item # S450. It is a lid support and costs about $5.00 each. It works on overhead cabinets and is 10" long. Bill | ||
| Dale Fleener (69.19.154.235)
Rating: N/A |
David, the obvious place to look is the parts department at a RV dealership. If you are lucky you will find someone behind the counter that knows exactly what you want. If you are not so lucky you will still probably find some one who knows how to look up the strut you need. Remember, they want to sell parts and they want repeat business. HTH Dale MC8 | ||
| Gary Stadler (Boogiethecat) (68.7.217.217)
Rating: N/A |
Hey Bill, thanks for that tip... that's something I've been looking for, for a couple of years now. Dale, the truth is that an RV supplier (at least any around here) is about the last place I'd ever look for parts for my rig, because the stuff is usually junky and extremely overpriced. At least most RV parts suppliers around here only carry the stuff used in stick-n-staple RV's, which is pretty low quality as things go. Jes' my 2 cents worth... Gary | ||
| FAST FRED (67.75.109.194) Rating: N/A |
Gary, No problem go to a high end RV supplyer. All the Mfg dip from the same parts bin at the major hardware suppliers/ importers , just the cheapo RV' s use the lowest cost stuff that only requires unskilled labor to slop it together. You will hardly find great drawer catch latches ( that require a close fitting drawer and a drill press , jig setup to install in a Wynnibuggy. The purchaser cant pay for the labor, even if the hardware were free! High end coaches , and much boat hardware , is very nice although $200 (wholesale) for a single SS or Chromed bronze door latch may be a bit pricy for a bus campers . Get a Haiffel catalog and troll thru their pages , not bus or boat , but mostly affordable & of OK quality. FAST FRED | ||
| Sam Sperbeck (206.230.105.249) Rating: N/A |
David, How many mini struts are you trying per door? Two, maybe you could use more, one above the other on each side of a door. Just a thought. Thanks, Sam | ||
| David & Lorna Schinske (Davidschinske) (64.24.236.154)
Rating: N/A |
http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/findprod.cfm?&DID=6&sku=422 Not a gas strut but a couple bucks cheaper than the BRD brand. http://www.rvlifestyles.net/Catalog/itempage.asp?id=318992&subcatid=1880000015025&groupid=3130000025277&magic=B3PBVX0710140039887 12.5" 80 LB BRD Gas Props #31-8873 is 11" long and hold 55 lb door open for same price. These are priced each. So if you need a pair you will have to buy 2. Get PPL's free (Stag-Parkway) catalog while you are at the site. Most stuff is a bit pricey (try www.camperschoice.com for some of the stuff) but gives you a starting point when trying to look for something. Has a lot of the measurements & other info for stuff. Also some hard to find stuff is in it. You could go to www.stag-parkway.com to find a dealer near you. They referred me the Shipp's RV & Campground. But I refuse to spend money with then because they turned down my 1974 Apache Pop-up sight unseen. They have a 10 yr rule for the campground. Lorna | ||
| Henry R. Bergman, Jr. (Henryofcj) (63.224.197.10)
Rating: N/A |
Or...you can do what I have done...have no do-hickie holder thing at all and just balance the upper cabinet door on your head while digging thru it. Helps some if you are holding a beer in the other hand. Kinda like some kinda of dexterity test or somethings. Sometime it even works!! He he he.  Henry of CJ. | ||
| grant goold (208.187.244.235)
Rating: N/A |
I have used gas struts on several doors on my conversion with great success. Try Austin hardware company at http://www.austinhardware.com Click on products and scan the catalog Great stuff and very reasonably priced. Good luck | ||
| David Anderson (66.90.199.46) Rating: N/A |
Thanks for the feedback. I'll check out these places David Anderson | ||
| R.C.Bishop (128.123.221.157)
Rating: N/A |
FF.....where does one find a Haiffel Catalog. I did a search and came up with nada... Thanx RCB | ||
| Gary Stadler (Boogiethecat) (68.7.217.217)
Rating: N/A |
I think it's spelled hafele... maybe I'm wrong... Cheers Gary | ||
| Darryl (68.184.122.103) Rating: N/A |
You might also check the cabinet struts on the Wonderlodge's. It might be what you're looking for. They've been using the same ones for years. Find any Wonderlodge and take a look. If you like them, buy one. You can probably find the manufacturer's name on it. Call the manufacturer and ask them where you can buy there product. Most likely, it will be much less expensive from someone else than Bluebird, especially if you need several. | ||
| Steve (68.5.226.25) Rating: N/A |
Try this site for gas struts. http://www.spdhardware.com/gs2.htm | ||
| R.C.Bishop (128.123.221.150)
Rating: N/A |
Could that be Wanderlodge? RCB | ||
| Jim Stacy (12.87.108.189)
Rating: N/A |
I used stainless spring props from West Marine. (Fred, I'm surprised you didn't mention it). Coil spring props are silent, very strong, and never wear out or lose their gas pressure. They are used in boats as hatch props. The length you need is less than $10 retail and you'll never have to replace it. FWIW Jim Stacy | ||
| FAST FRED (67.75.109.136) Rating: N/A |
Jim, These are no better than the old fashoned foulding arms (that lock) as used in motorhomes & trailers in the 50's & 60's , they just cost more. And should you accidently brush one , the chance of the door mashing you is higher, the old foulding struts had to be lifted & pushed at the hinge to close. The old style arms together with the "Touch Locks" (on bottom) worked great 50 years ago and still are my first choice on overhead opening cabinets. And coat 1/5 of the SS boat goodies. Although Airstream had a great 10+ ft Tamber set up (would slide entire cabinet area open with one movement) the ability to open only one area seems to work best , as usually you know which cabinet the item needed is in. FAST FRED |
