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Mac tool box struts

Scottb37

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Jul 12, 2015
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I recently acquired a used Mac 1800/1850 combo. The previous said he had replaced the lid struts with some he got at Autozone. Can someone with this top box measure the struts at fully open so that I can compare what I have to the originals? I'm just wanting yo make sure the lid will open all of the way.
 
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Scottb37

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Jul 12, 2015
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With the current struts installed the opening is about 14 1/2 inches. Is that correct?
 
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whateg01

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Mar 13, 2006
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doo dah, kansas, usa
So, open the lid all the way and measure from one end to the other and see how long the strut needs to be.
Ok, let's try this.
1. Using the appropriate tools and safety precautions, remove the existing strut or struts. Be careful, as the lid may want to fall once the existing strut or struts are removed and can cause injury if any post of your body is in it's path.
2. Open the lid to the desired opening.
3. While holding the open lid with one hand, use the other hand to measure the distance between the mounting point on the lid and the mounting point on the box. This will be the extended length of a newly installed strut of the appropriate length.

Now, bear in mind that the retracted length of the strut also has to fit with the lid in the closed position. That can be calculated with a little math, but I'm not sure I can explain it here in such a way that it'll be understood.
 

rancherbill

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Oct 18, 2007
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Location
Foothills County, Alberta, Canada
...Can someone with this top box measure the struts at fully open so that I can compare what I have to the originals? I'm just wanting yo make sure the lid will open all of the way.
Does it stay up right now? Does it look open? Can you get stuff in and out like you should when it's open?

If it doesn't, get the number off the existing Autozone parts and buy longer ones.
 
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Scottb37

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Jul 12, 2015
Messages
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I like things to be correct and work how they are supposed to. I know how to measure for struts. But I don't know if the struts are correctvif I don't know how far the lid supposed to open. That's why I would like somebody with the same box to measure the opening with the lid open.
 
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