Do-it-yourself shock absorber for kitchen furniture

Why does a gas lift break and how to fix it: do-it-yourself repairs

For convenient use of kitchen cabinet doors, you need to choose the right quality and comfortable fasteners. An interesting choice is a gas lift, which guarantees ease of opening and closing doors, as well as ease of operation of the structure. An element such as a gas lift for kitchen cabinets is represented by a simple and reliable device that can be used for almost any furniture. The main advantage of such designs for many buyers is that there is no possibility for the doors to warp, and they will never open or close spontaneously.

What is gas lift

Installing gas lifts on kitchen cabinets provides a modern improvement to the space in the kitchen. To avoid any problems with the installation and operation of products, it is important to choose them wisely for the existing box.

The gas furniture elevator is represented by a special lifting device, which is used to hold and open the doors of various cabinets. The main purpose of this product is the ease of opening the doors upward.

The operation of the mechanism is based on its simple design. When creating gas elevators, a special gas spring is used together with a hydraulic shock absorber. As soon as the door opens literally 10 degrees, it then automatically opens up to 90 degrees.

The design includes elements:

• cylinder-shaped body;
• special piston of optimal size;
• sleeve;
• valve;
• bearings for easy sliding of doors;
• stock;
• sealing elements;
• stuffing box;
• finger

The design is hermetically sealed, so there is no possibility of dust, dirt or moisture getting into its various elements. A non-separable mechanism is necessarily created, so it cannot be disassembled and repaired if necessary.

Gas lift device

A bracket used to raise or lower a drawer door and fix it in this position is called a gas lift. The gas lift mechanism for the kitchen shown in the photo includes:

• a housing filled with gas, most often nitrogen;
• rod moving in the body;
• sliding bearings ensuring uniformity and smooth movement of the rod;
• components that ensure the tightness of the structure: bushing, oil seal, boot, seal.

There are fasteners in the body and at the end of the rod. With their help, the body is attached to the inner surface of the furniture wall, and the rod is attached to the door. A different design is possible, but the principle of operation remains the same everywhere.

Repair of gas lift for kitchen furniture

The gas lift is a sealed structure. Gas is pumped into the cylinder of the mechanism during manufacture. This

The device cannot be repaired, so you should not open it yourself. The entire system is under pressure. If the seal is lost, the gas lift will not cope with its functions. To avoid unpleasant phenomena, it is better to invite a specialist for repairs. A sealed system may even explode.

However, there are minor defects during operation: gas lift fastenings may become loose during operation. The doors begin to creak when opened. To eliminate the defect you need to tighten them. Another option for getting rid of an unpleasant squeak: lubricating the parts. In conclusion, it should be noted that the gas lift must be treated very carefully, since the mechanism cannot be repaired, and if it breaks down, you will have to throw out the expensive device and install a new one.

The gas lift on the bed does not compress: reasons

The main reasons for gas lift failure include:

• Incorrect installation of the gas lift with the rod up, which causes a sharp jerk when lifting. As a result, the components of the equipment wear out much faster.
• Tightening the nuts during installation to the frame.
• The load on the mechanism was incorrectly calculated, for example, a gas lift of greater power than required was installed.
• Installation of cheap elements of unknown brands.
• Insufficient gas pressure in the piston.
• Lack of parts.
• Incorrect operation due to the use of force when lifting/lowering. By default, the lifter performs these processes independently. The user only needs to gently push up or press down on the surface.

Important! If you detect a creaking, too sharp or slow movement of the mechanism, you should immediately inspect it, and, if necessary, repair it yourself or call a specialist. Otherwise, the gas lift will soon have to be completely changed.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main purpose of gas elevators is the correct, free, silent and easy opening of the top drawers of the set, in which the door opens upward. The positive parameters of installing such a device in the kitchen include:

• the doors are always held at the top when they are opened;
• there is no possibility for spontaneous opening of the door;
• installing a gas lift is quite simple, so if you understand the instructions in detail, you can perform the procedure yourself;
• long service life of the structure due to its high-quality design;
• cabinets open without the need to exert significant effort, and there is no unpleasant sound or noise;
• cabinets get rid of unattractive handles, which guarantees a stylish and modern interior;
• Opening the door is incredibly simple, for which you need to press it with your hand with a little force.

If you order such fastenings from special companies, then the same materials that were used to make kitchen furniture can be used to create them.

The disadvantages of the products include their rather high cost, so they are often inaccessible to potential buyers. If they break for any reason, it will be impossible to make repairs due to the sealed housing, so you will only have to replace the structures.

How to install and secure a gas lift

The lifting mechanism adds comfort and convenience to the kitchen, but the service life directly depends on the correct installation. Since the process itself is simple, you can install a gas lift for kitchen furniture yourself at home.

Gas lifts are by far the most convenient mechanism for opening kitchen furniture doors

To install the lifting mechanism you will need the following tools:

Installation begins with measurements on both walls of the gas lift mounting. The location of the mechanism on the cabinet walls depends on your desire. Before installation, you need to determine at what angle the door leaves will open. Thus, the location of the gas lift in the cabinet walls varies at both attachment points.

Purpose and device

Properly installed designs can be used for different kitchen furniture. They apply:

• It is optimal to install them on kitchen furniture that is used quite often, so it is required that the doors open silently and also remain intact for a long time;
• often used for installation in the living room, bedroom, children's room or other rooms where it is advisable to install spacious drawers equipped with doors with gas lift;
• office furniture is often used with such elements, and it is not only considered multifunctional, but also looks stylish;
• gas lifts are optimal for installation during the installation of bar facades;
• often used to create poufs or various boxes.

The range of applications of gas lifts is considered wide, so they are truly popular structures. They can have different sizes and even colors.

Preparation of tools and materials

To restore the integrity and working condition of the cabinets, you will need a simple set of tools, most of which are in the arsenal of a home craftsman.
For some purposes you will have to buy something in addition. To work you will need :

• screwdriver with a set of bits and drills;
• screwdrivers with straight or Phillips slots;
• tape measure, corner, ruler;
• marker or pencil.

To independently install mortise hinges in laminated chipboard doors, purchase a Forstner drill of the required diameter.

Supplies you will need:

• confirmations (euro screws), self-tapping screws or self-tapping screws;
• hinges and corners of the required size and configuration;
• installation kit for sliding wardrobe;
• guides for drawers.

If necessary, purchase glue and mounting strips.

Sometimes repairs require carpentry tools: a mallet and a chisel.

Types of gas shock absorbers

There are the following types of furniture gas lifts:

1. Direct-acting gas lift, that is, this device works to compress the rod (the rod is in full extension);
2. A reverse-acting gas lift device is triggered by the extension of the rod (the rod is in a recessed state).

Most often, shock absorbers of direct action are used in the manufacture of furniture.

By installing the device in different ranges, it is possible to ensure that the door opens at different angles. This is especially true for cabinets that are located very high, or, conversely, low.

What are the main advantages of using gas elevators over other fastening fittings?

1. Firstly, gas furniture lifts use compressed nitrogen, which does not lead to corrosion of the device, unlike ordinary oxygen. In addition, nitrogen is not capable of damaging the rubber parts of the shock absorber. We can say that this gas greatly extends the service life of the elevator.
2. Secondly, using such lifts you can ensure smooth closing of doors even in budget furniture.
3. Thirdly, modern hardware manufacturers have launched shock absorbers on the market, the installation of which does not require the use of any tools.
4. Fourthly, the large selection of loads that can be used when installing lifts on cabinet fronts allows you to choose the most suitable fittings to open the door silently and with minimal effort.
5. Fifthly, gas furniture shock absorbers have a fairly wide temperature range, thanks to which they can be used in any room.
6. Sixthly, the material used to make gas lifts (steel) makes these devices reliable and strong.
7. Seventhly, the warranty period for these fittings is from ten to one hundred thousand closing and opening cycles, which indicates the high quality of these lifts.

Choice

European countries such as Germany and Italy are considered the best manufacturers of furniture fittings. There are some good Polish products. Recently, quite high-quality products from Chinese enterprises have become increasingly common. The quality of the device is indicated by the material of manufacture and the force that must be applied to close the mechanism.

Load calculation depending on the dimensions of the furniture

Before installing this structure, you should pay attention to proper calculations. They depend on the weight of the facade. In this case, the following basic conditions are taken into account:

• on the body of the selected gas lift for furniture you can find information about its marking;
• N indicates that the unit of measurement is Newton, represented by pressure force;
• in front of this letter is a number representing the force available in the body;
• In order to correctly carry out the installation, it is necessary to have information about the weight of the facade equipped with a handle.

Incorrect calculations lead to the fact that the design is used in difficult conditions, therefore the service life is reduced by approximately half.

Gas lift load calculation

When to contact specialists

You need to contact professionals in two cases:

• If there is no desire or time to identify the malfunction using your own resources and resources.
• If you were unable to identify the defect yourself.

With the first option everything is clear. As for the second, we are most likely talking about incorrect distribution of gas in the piston. Its excess or deficiency often leads to problems in work. There are two possibilities here: the base of the bed either lowers too slowly, it has to be pushed down, or it “shoots out,” which can also lead to rapid wear of the part.

It is unlikely that an unprepared person will be able to cope with this problem on his own. To do this, you will need to replace the gas cartridge in the furniture unit using special tools that are available only to repair team workers.

Bed Furniture

Gas elevator design

The design of a furniture shock absorber is no different from automobile devices for lifting the rear door of the body. The bottom diagram shows all the components of the gas elevator design.

Nitrogen is used as a bypass medium. A slight force is required to extend the rod, and then it will completely come out of the outer cavity under the pressure of compressed gas. Lightly pressing your hand on the door will push the rod back inside.

On the lower part of the body there is a loop with 2 longitudinal holes. The rod is equipped with a disk with three mounting holes. The hinge must be attached to the rack of the cabinet body, and the disk must be fixed on the back side of the front panel.

Installation Rules

A properly installed gas lift will be pleasant and safe to use, and will also last a long time. If you plan to deal with this issue yourself, then be sure to study the instructions first. How to install the structure? To do this, follow the following steps:

• gas lifts are purchased, and two of these elements are required for one façade;
• installation is carried out together with hinges, and they can be overhead or internal, as well as semi-overhead;
• two shock absorbers are being prepared for one façade;
• if the gas lifts used are marked more than 100N, then reliable and reinforced fastening of the cabinet to the wall of the room is required;
• gas lift installation is carried out only after attaching all the fittings;
• it is not allowed to carry out work if the cabinet is already attached to the wall;
• installation is carried out in horizontal independent furniture;
• if it is necessary to increase the opening angle, then the special hole intended for the main fastening is shifted;
• First, a loop is installed in the desired area;
• The gas lift itself is installed in accordance with the location of the furniture hinge.

To take into account all the features of this process, it is recommended that you first carefully study the installation video instructions.

Assembling the gas lift Fastening parts

Start of work on installing gas lifts: marking

It’s good that I knew what pitfalls there are in installing such devices. Therefore, along the way, a template for marking was also purchased. When I arrived at the workshop, the furniture makers chuckled, believing that I had not even thought about it, but when they saw the template in their hands, the joy in their eyes diminished.

The work began with markings. It, of course, could have been done without such a plate, but in this case it would have taken a long time to take measurements, and it is not a fact that they would have turned out correct. And so I spent about 5 minutes marking. I even laughed a little at the way their expressions changed. Still, two years of work in a furniture shop was not in vain for me.

Marking using a special template takes a minimum of time

How to repair a gas lift bed yourself

Independently identifying defects in the operation of the piston mechanism requires some knowledge and skills, otherwise eliminating the malfunction will end very badly.

To understand the reason for the poor quality of the gas lift, you need, at a minimum, to arm yourself with the manufacturer’s instructions. Or you can watch videos on the Internet on this topic.

The algorithm of actions includes the following steps:

• It is necessary to make sure that the load and power thrust of the mechanism correspond. This item mainly applies to newly purchased models. It is important to understand that the gas lift only works correctly at full load. Therefore, it is imperative to place a mattress on the base.
• Visual inspection of the correct installation of the mechanism. If necessary, completely or partially dismantle it, adjust the elements relative to each other, loosen/tighten the fastening parts.
• Complete replacement of low-quality fittings without identification marks with proven ones from well-known brands.

If, as a result of the operations performed, the result remains the same, it is recommended to contact a specialist.

Adjustment

After high-quality and correct installation, it is necessary to adjust the correct opening of the facade using a gas lift. It is taken into account that the distance from the top of the wall cabinet to the ceiling of the room must be greater than the dimensions of the door, since it will open upward, so it is not allowed to touch the ceiling.

After installing the structure, the gas lift begins to be adjusted so that the opening and closing of the doors is carried out quite slowly and silently. To do this, the main fastening elements of this product are tightened.

Thus, gas lifts are considered an interesting solution for kitchen cabinets. They have many advantages and are easy to install. Their use significantly increases the service life of the furniture, and it will be really pleasant to use. Constant opening and closing of doors will not cause destruction or damage to the facades or the drawers themselves. The disadvantage is the high cost of gas lifts, but this is due to their high quality, protection of expensive furniture, stylish appearance and long service life.

Wardrobe repair

Design flaws and mechanical failures of sliding mechanism parts are the most common problems with sliding wardrobes. Some problems are quite easy to fix on your own.

Sliding door mechanism

Malfunctions of the sliding mechanism manifest themselves as follows:

• doors jam;
• significant physical effort is required to move the valves;
• The doors open spontaneously and remain in that position.

To understand where to look for a fault, you need to understand the design of sliding mechanisms. There are two schemes :

The door is suspended on rollers moving along the top guide

Working rollers are installed at the bottom of the door , and the upper ones serve only to fix the door in a vertical position

Repairing a wardrobe begins with diagnosing and identifying the cause of the malfunction; in some cases, you can do without replacing parts. For inspection, remove the door by lifting it up and removing the rollers from the guides.

Common causes of heavy door movement :

• accumulation of dust and dirt on the rollers, as well as clogging of the guides;
• the bottom roller jumping out of the guide.

Problems do not require repair; they can be solved by cleaning all elements, as well as lubricating rotating parts .

To install the lower roller in place, simply press the springs by hand and return the wheel to its working position.

Repair will be required in the following cases:

• deformation of one of the guides, making the door difficult to move;
• breakage of the roller or thrust spring;
• destruction of the door fastening to the sliding mechanism or guides to the bases.

Before starting work, clarify the parameters and type of mechanism. Spare parts are purchased in specialized departments of construction stores or at points of sale of furniture fittings.

To replace any part of the sliding mechanism, you only need a screwdriver with the required slots. New guides are sawed off to the required length with a hacksaw.

open spontaneously . The adjustment consists of lowering (raising) the roller on one side of the door using the adjusting screw.

The mechanism is considered adjusted if the door stops and does not move in any position specified by the user.

Shelf repair

Shelf breakdowns in most cases are caused by design errors and the desire to save money when ordering or purchasing furniture.

The shelves are made too long, without vertical support bridges, so the chipboard gradually bends under load , or the corners for attaching the shelves are pulled out by the self-tapping screws.

The easiest way to temporarily solve the problem of warped shelves is to turn them with the curved side up . If the shelf is fastened with confirmations, they are unscrewed with a hexagon, the shelf is turned over and the structure is fastened. The locations of the holes during factory production of furniture must match.

If the mounting dimensions do not match, drill a through hole through the cabinet wall in the desired location and in the body of the shelf. First, use a drill with a diameter of 4 or 5 mm, depending on the diameter of the Euroscrew. A hole with a diameter of 6–6.5 mm is drilled in the cabinet wall for the fastener head. Next, the structure is tightened.

If the shelves are attached with an angle, when turned over, holes from screws or self-tapping screws will remain on the top surface. They can be disguised with circles of self-adhesive film.

, supporting jumpers are purchased and installed for the entire service life of the cabinet . The necessary parts of the appropriate size are sold at most large hardware stores. The easiest way to fasten them is with corners and self-tapping screws - there are no lateral loads on the vertical posts, so there is no point in complicating the installation.

How to install a gas lift on a kitchen cabinet with your own hands: step-by-step instructions

Installation of a gas structure consists of several successive stages : marking, installation and adjustment of the mechanism.

Before you begin, you should prepare the following tools :

• pencil;
• tape measure and ruler;
• self-tapping screws (usually included with accessories);
• screwdriver or screwdriver;
• pliers;
• hammer.

The gas lift for kitchen cabinets comes with detailed installation instructions . Study it carefully before installation work, as all the nuances are indicated there.

Marking for installation

Let's look at the features of marking using an example . Given: gas lift 247 mm long, façade elevation angle – 90°.

The marking process comes down to the following points (the diagram below illustrates the measurements):

1. Make markings on the side wall of the cabinet . Set aside 255 mm from the top end downwards with a distance of 10 mm from the edge. This will be the center of the fastening.
2. Repeat the markings on the second side wall in the same way .
3. Take measurements on the right side of the door . To do this, measure 90 mm from the top edge of the door downwards with a distance of 15 mm from the edge. This is the center of the hook-shaped fastening element, located with a hook on the inside of the facade.
4. Repeat the measurements and make marks on the left side of the door.

An important point when taking measurements : all marks must match, no displacements or inaccuracies.

Installation rules

The structure is installed on a removed cabinet . It is better to turn it over and place it on a hard surface so that the open door is located at the bottom. This will provide a complete overview of the markings made and a more convenient process for installing the mechanism.

Installation of a gas lift for a kitchen cabinet:

1. Place the mount on the side wall . The middle of the fastening should coincide with the mark.
2. Holding the fastener, screw in the screws . Monitor the position of the screwdriver or screwdriver (must be perpendicular to the surface) and fasteners so that they do not move or become at an angle.
3. Also screw the fastener onto the other side of the cabinet.
4. on the door and secure with two self-tapping screws.
5. Place the gas lift on the mount on the door . Align the oval protrusion on the mount with the hole on the gas lift and press down. A characteristic click will notify you of fixation.
6. Integrate the mechanism into the mount on the side wall. It should be attached according to the same principle: align the hole on the mechanism and the protrusion on the mount, press until it clicks.

After installation, turn the cabinet over and check the functioning of the mechanism , the tightness of the door, the absence of distortions and gaps.