Piston Support for my Farmhouse cabinet

[Ed Merrill]

I have built a large Farmhouse cabinet for our kitchen using pocket holes of course. LOL. I used a 48" piano hinge for the 23"x57" door (an old window I found at the local antique shop).

I want to add pistons or some other method to hold the window open when using.

Have tried the struts sold by Rockler, but they would not hold it up.

Does anyone have any other ideas how to hold this open and still close properly?

[Roy Coulman]

Hi, Ed.  The solution is to get larger struts, or at least struts that support more weight.  With a 23" door, you'll need a pair of struts about 20" long, extended.  One bracket would be installed on the window about 6" from the wall (with the window opened at 90 degrees.)  The other bracket is installed on the frame in a location that will hold the window open at 90 degrees.  I don't know the weight of the window, but I'm guessing that 60 lbs per strut would hold the window open.  Struts are made in all sorts of sizes and weights, so you should be able to find something that works.  If you want the window open at a different angle, the length and attaching points will change.

Amazon sells just about any strut you might need.  To find the one mentioned above, 20" long and 60 lbs, search Amazon for this:  Suspa C16-08260 19.7" Gas Prop/Strut, Set of Two, Force 60 lbs Per Prop/Strut, Force 120 lbs Per Pair, Made in USA.  They are just over $20 per pair, and likely your Rockler brackets will fit them.  If you need a different size, just search Amazon for Suspa and find the ones you need.

I used a couple of 87 lb struts to hold up the plywood door on this storage bed.  They also lift the mattress and covers on the bed as well, and they work great.  Let me know if you need any more information, Ed.  

[Ed Merrill]

Roy,  Thanks for your suggestion. I have tried a couple of friction supports but they could not fit in the application. I have ordered some longer/stronger struts that support 60# so hopefully this will work. Thanks again for your help. I truly appreciate it.

Roy Coulman said:

Hi, Ed.  The solution is to get larger struts, or at least struts that support more weight.  With a 23" door, you'll need a pair of struts about 20" long, extended.  One bracket would be installed on the window about 6" from the wall (with the window opened at 90 degrees.)  The other bracket is installed on the frame in a location that will hold the window open at 90 degrees.  I don't know the weight of the window, but I'm guessing that 60 lbs per strut would hold the window open.  Struts are made in all sorts of sizes and weights, so you should be able to find something that works.  If you want the window open at a different angle, the length and attaching points will change.

Amazon sells just about any strut you might need.  To find the one mentioned above, 20" long and 60 lbs, search Amazon for this:  Suspa C16-08260 19.7" Gas Prop/Strut, Set of Two, Force 60 lbs Per Prop/Strut, Force 120 lbs Per Pair, Made in USA.  They are just over $20 per pair, and likely your Rockler brackets will fit them.  If you need a different size, just search Amazon for Suspa and find the ones you need.

I used a couple of 87 lb struts to hold up the plywood door on this storage bed.  They also lift the mattress and covers on the bed as well, and they work great.  Let me know if you need any more information, Ed.