Looking for a replacement lift cylinder for my stool

[Dave33]

Hi all,
I have an older Craftsman mechanics stool with a worn out lift cylinder. The piston OD is 1.25" and the housing OD is 2.145". I'm have searched everywhere for a replacement but all of them are 1.1" piston and 2.0" OD housing. Does anyone have a source for what I need?
It's a very nice stool and at the time I bought it, it was the Cadillac of stools. Replacements of this quality are $200+.
Thanks in advance.

 

[david3921]

If it was me, I would try one of the "standard" cylinders at the correct length. My reasoning is that both ends are tapered like yours should be. Because the cylinder is held in by friction, it should slide in but just a bit further. The only issue might be the top button may push the adjuster a bit further down. Maybe you could try wrapping some electrical tape around the top portion to create the correct circumference if the lever goes too far down. A plastic or metal sleeve might be ideal but may be difficult to acquire. Getting one from Amazon allows you to return it if it doesn't work.

 

[DadsTools]

To help in the search, use the term "gas lift" cylinder. I use to work in the office furniture industry, and think that the office furniture category will be your best bet since that's where the bulk of gas lift chairs are sold. Since it's a Craftsman, the size is probably not proprietary, but finding who made it might be a pain. I recall that different chair mfrs used different cylinders, so it could be a challenge to find the right one. I'm not confident about using any kind of spacer material to fill a gap in fit--there's a lot of force applied to those joints in sitting on the chair over time, and at times we couldn't get the old one out of a seat mechanism even with sledge hammers, so finding the right size is important. Best of luck with it.

 

[WordMan]

Check with these people...

Whiteside Manufacturing – Quality Pro Tools

 

[brownbagg]

my cylinder went out years ago, I ended up clamping a pvc pipe to it, to maintain height

 

[Dave33]

If it was me, I would try one of the "standard" cylinders at the correct length. My reasoning is that both ends are tapered like yours should be. Because the cylinder is held in by friction, it should slide in but just a bit further. The only issue might be the top button may push the adjuster a bit further down. Maybe you could try wrapping some electrical tape around the top portion to create the correct circumference if the lever goes too far down. A plastic or metal sleeve might be ideal but may be difficult to acquire. Getting one from Amazon allows you to return it if it doesn't work.

The OD of a replacement is quite a bit smaller and will drop all the way through my stool opening. I would have to have a bushing made to make it work.

 

[david3921]

The OD of a replacement is quite a bit smaller and will drop all the way through my stool opening. I would have to have a bushing made to make it work.

But your cylinder doesn't slide all the way through the top nor the base. Measure the diameter of the base and seat holes. They have to be smaller than 2.145 and 1.25. Maybe they are smaller than 2.00 and 1.1. If so, than a standard cylinder may work.

 

[sgf13]

Is repacking the cylinder an option? A hydraulic shop could probably do it and you'd keep the stool original.

 

[Dave33]

But your cylinder doesn't slide all the way through the top nor the base. Measure the diameter of the base and seat holes. They have to be smaller than 2.145 and 1.25. Maybe they are smaller than 2.00 and 1.1. If so, than a standard cylinder may work.

The ID of the seat is 2.085" and the seat 1.20".

 

[david3921]

The ID of the seat is 2.085" and the seat 1.20

Have you tried Sears parts direct for Craftsman parts?

Official Craftsman parts | Sears PartsDirect

Craftsman parts - manufacturer-approved parts for a proper fit every time! We also have installation guides, diagrams and manuals to help you along the way!

www.searspartsdirect.com

Out of curiosity, what is the model number of your stool? Also, is there a stool that someone else sells that is similar?

 

[Dave33]

Have you tried Sears parts direct for Craftsman parts?

Official Craftsman parts | Sears PartsDirect

Craftsman parts - manufacturer-approved parts for a proper fit every time! We also have installation guides, diagrams and manuals to help you along the way!

www.searspartsdirect.com

Out of curiosity, what is the model number of your stool? Also, is there a stool that someone else sells that is similar?

Model number is 9001-02 but there is no listing for parts. The piston OD is 1.25" where the new ones are 1.10 so it's much beefier than anything out there now.
I'm going to write it off and pick up a new one. DeWalt has a couple of nice one's.

 

[rancherbill]

I'd take it out and got to NAPA and see it their parts guys could make sense of the numbering. At the core there has to be a gas strut like the ones used on car tailgates or hoods.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I am assuming your stool is not a BM.
I might check at a n office chair supply.

 

[vwpieces]

I like fixing things but for this price...
Dunno...Put your wheels and seat on it?

 

[Iridium rand]

I'm not confident about using any kind of spacer material to fill a gap in fit--there's a lot of force applied to those joints in sitting on the chair over time, and at times we couldn't get the old one out of a seat mechanism even with sledge hammers, so finding the right size is important. Best of luck with it.

yeah 100% agreed here, I’ve had an insane amount of difficulty trying to get friction fit cylinders free even when it’s extent of pressure on it is just someone sitting on it and no more.

For instance on some of the stretchers I’ve worked on theres a threaded hole right above it for you to tighten a bolt down into that’s supposed to push the cylinder out, having that option available makes it probably the best possible scenario yet with a 16” long ratchet it takes everything I can give and I’ve snapped the bolt on more than one occasion before the things budged. Can’t imagine trying to get one out that’s wedged in even harder due to a custom fix

 

[HalfTonTom]

The OD of a replacement is quite a bit smaller and will drop all the way through my stool opening. I would have to have a bushing made to make it work.

Stool opening? I have one of those in the part of my body that sits on a stool...and I'm appreciative when things drop all the way through it.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[wssix99]

BTW - If anyone finds this thread, Northern Tool makes stools with the same type of piston. (1 1/4" air cylinder with a 2 1/8" case) The part number is FOR52968-2 and https://www.jackssmallengines.com/ stocks the parts for them.