Gas Struts for Bed

[Dave5Cs]

Dave might try these guys. they have kits with instructions on line.
Dave5Cs

www.hatchlift.com

http://www.hatchlift.com/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=17

[Scott & Heather]

I'm actually doing this at the moment. I did go to Bontragers and they sell assorted lift struts for $15 each. They are not labeled so I was guessing on the lb rating. I successfully installed mine after some fiddling around with placement. I wouldn't say it's a science or engineering feat, but it does take a fair amount of experimentation to get it just right. Even still, my install isn't perfect and I have to lift our bed a few inches before the struts assist me. My personal opinion after spending a day messing around with the gas struts is that an electric lift would be superior. That being said, what you have to do is use a bathroom scale as suggested to measure the weight you are lifting. This gets tricky because you have to measure the weight near where you are mounting the strut to the bed. In other words, weighing the foot of the bed isn't accurate because of leverage the foot of the bed will require considerably less force to lift than near the head or hinge of the bed. Again, strut placement is key. Our MCI has a king bed and its 3/4" ply. That thing is heavy. Insanely heavy. At the very end of the bed where the least amount of force is needed to lift it because of leverage, it weighs 80 lbs.

[chessie4905]

Here: get about 12 travel or more. Most have more than enough torque.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=12v+linear+actuator&_frs=1

[Debo]

Just another take on all of this. I opted for a totally different approach. I made a "Stratton Bed" that has baskets where the drawers would be. There's a little section of unused space in the center where I keep spare parts. If my picture attachment doesn't work, Google "stratton bed".

[Don Fairchild]

go to spd industries They will help you with what you need, They make them.

Don

[white-eagle]

I'm actually doing this at the moment. I did go to Bontragers and they sell assorted lift struts for $15 each. They are not labeled so I was guessing on the lb rating.

Scott, you can buy new at the length, strength and lb you want for $16-17 from an outfit in Toledo.  we ordered ours custom pressure after talking to the engineer.  they filled them to the weight we wanted and he recommended. 

Associated Spring Raymond
370 W. Dussel Drive — Suite A
Maumee, OH 43537–1604
Phone: 419–891–9292

http://www.asraymond.com/

i've got no connections with these folks other than they sold me what i wanted, new, at less than the crap i bought in Indiana that was used or old.

fyi.

[jjrbus]

Just another take on all of this. I opted for a totally different approach. I made a "Stratton Bed" that has baskets where the drawers would be. There's a little section of unused space in the center where I keep spare parts. If my picture attachment doesn't work, Google "stratton bed".

Now that you mention it mine was a hybred. the hinged end of the bed was 4 large drawers and the lift end of the bed was open space.   HTH  JIm

[Scott & Heather]

Scott, you can buy new at the length, strength and lb you want for $16-17 from an outfit in Toledo.  we ordered ours custom pressure after talking to the engineer.  they filled them to the weight we wanted and he recommended. 

Associated Spring Raymond
370 W. Dussel Drive — Suite A
Maumee, OH 43537–1604
Phone: 419–891–9292

http://www.asraymond.com/

i've got no connections with these folks other than they sold me what i wanted, new, at less than the crap i bought in Indiana that was used or old.

fyi.

Thanks Tom. The used Gas Struts from Bontragers are indeed junk. I'll look into this. Want to get it right...it's a heavy first 4 inches lifting that thing.

[luvrbus]

Try this www.goldsgym.com

[Scott & Heather]

Try this www.goldsgym.com

Lol. How'd you know cliff!? :-) I need
to work out more. :-/

[sledhead]

This was sent to my email    http://www.richelieu.com/en/bed-with-storage-unit-set-WEBKIT1010763?fr=            different !                            dave

[white-eagle]

Thanks Tom. The used Gas Struts from Bontragers are indeed junk. I'll look into this. Want to get it right...it's a heavy first 4 inches lifting that thing.

Scott, you are welcome.  i got a dozen for my bay doors, then talked to engineer about my engine lift gate.  I couldn't read the old sizes, but I measured and described them to him and they custom filled to pressure we thought would be adequate.  and cheap, considering the overstock, outdated junk in Indiana.  They all work well now.

I still think linear actuators are the way to go on beds, though.  controlled lift and down.

[treeplanter]

Rockler Woodworking sells a kit for twin full and queen.Around $140.00.Rockler.com.