Sit Up Prop Using a Door Closer


With a home haunt, we have found that the best non-commercial cylinder to be found on the market today is the screen door closers.  They contain a spring that will return them to the original closed position when the air is off and have an amazing strength.  Since they are designed for pneumatic operation, we find them to be the easiest to convert and operate while their price falls within the constraints of our budget.  Please remember that if you use this design, you will be doing so at your own risk and we are not held liable for any damage or injury that might result from this.  With that 'blurb' out of the way, let's get on with it!!!
 
Materials:
    • 10 ea 1/2" 90 degree elbows 
    • 5 ea 1/2" Tees 
    • 12" of 3/4" thin wall PVC
    • 10' of 1/2" Schedule 40 PVC 
    • 1 Stanley standard screen door closer 
    • 2 ea  3/4" tees
    • 4 ea  3/4" to 1/2" reducer bushings

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    3/4" Thin wall PVC:
    Piece #1 = 3 5/8"  2 ea
    Piece #2 = 2"      2 ea

    1/2" Schedule 40 PVC:
    2 ea (A) 6 1/2"
    2 ea (B)  10"
    2 ea (C) 9 1/2"
    2 ea (D) 10 1/2"
    2 ea (S1) 3"
    2 ea (S2) 1 1/2"
*Note: One piece D is under the T2 tee and the two 3/4" #1 pieces, the second one is the pipe running through the two T1 3/4" tees.

**Note: The second piece A is under the two 3/4" #2 pieces and the second T2 tee at the tubing end of the door closer.
 
 
 

 
There is some modification that needs to be done for the door closers as far as attaching the air hose but the attaching of the closer is shown above.  A hole is drilled through the 1/2" part of the tee making sure that you have enough room to put the nut on.  An additional modification (slit) is cut into one of the tees to accomodate the 1/4" tubing.

Gathering Page

Props Page

Door Closer Modification and Attachment