I ordered the pistons from Amazon and based on your video, installed them "the right way." Everything worked perfectly. Thank you for the how to video!
Thank you for this video. I was feeling lazy and didn’t want to go to the hardware store so i took the current spring off and stretched it out longer with a couple pair of pliers and that seemed to work fine (for now ) 👍🏻
I did this, too. Extended life of my piston approximately 1 yr, but it got to the point where even the new stronger longer spring didn't help. Pls see my post that describes adding 1" of 6mm tapped stock to extend the piston's rod.
Replaced my piston with Apexstone piston, which is 3/4" shorter than the original. Operates well, but safe door will not fully open. Took 1" aluminum stock. Drilled 5mm though it. Tapped it with 6mm tap. Put 6mm bolt into tapped stock. Cut off bolt head leaving 1/2" protruding from stock. Threaded stock onto piston. Installed piston into safe. Door opens quickly and fully. No more lid bouncing during opening because piston is now fully extended with tapped stock attached. Without lid bouncing and rattling, the safe opens quieter now.
I was just watching this video because I'm doing the exact replacement right now and found something that could affect the door opening: the plate that the bottom screws through can bend and contact the hinge at the top, impeding the swinging up. pay attention as you screw in the new (or old strut) at the bottom if it pushes into the (i think) ball bearing ring of the hinge. just use a pair of needle nose pliers to bend it away and straight
just for clarity. the original strut was indeed still a problem and replaced with the Apexstone 80N strut. I just noticed that plate piece binding on the first check of my work.
That's good advise. Thank you for sharing. I had to do a little surgery on mine. The top socket assy. was dragging on the side of the box. I had to do a littly grinfing to create clearance.
Why would you say the 75 cent solution is the wrong way to do it? Paying less for a solution that accomplishes the intended result is in fact the correct way to do it.
I appreciate your logic and I would agree, but If you contact the manufactor, they will suggest the piston replacement as the right thing to do. That makes the hack the "wrong" way, even though it will work for probably 80% of people.
Of course, if the piston is totally worn out the lid may not pop open all the way up. You just want to make sure that it opens high enough that in an emergency, you won't have to fumble trying to get to your weapon. When I bought the longer spring, I was worried that the safe may not close properly, but that wasn't a problem. Thanks for watching.
Do the replacaement gas struts go bad by just sitting around? Apexstone has 4 gas struts for just $1 more than the 2 pack. Thoughts? Also, is there a reason you went with the 7 inch strut? When I measure the strut end to end, it seems like it's 8 inches.
I'm not 100% sure but I would take a chance for $1. My safe was well over 10 years old before the struts failed and I didn't open but a couple of times a month, so I imagine that the seals may deteriorate over time.
@@dcollier7126 My recollection is that I couldn't find an exact replacement and the 7" versions were recommended for the box. If you can find the 8" versions, that would be great. Just look them over good and make sure they fit. I had trouble with the end socket being too wide and wouldn't slip onto the mtg. post.
![[1463] Better Than Most: Vaultek VS20 Gun Safe](/img/n.gif)
I ordered the pistons from Amazon and based on your video, installed them "the right way." Everything worked perfectly. Thank you for the how to video!
That's great! Thank you for watching!
Thank you for this video. I was feeling lazy and didn’t want to go to the hardware store so i took the current spring off and stretched it out longer with a couple pair of pliers and that seemed to work fine (for now ) 👍🏻
Innovative, I certainly didn't think of that. Hope it retains it's strength.
Thank you! Bought them and didn’t exactly as you instructed and it worked! I was ready to buy a new safe. You saved me a couple hundred dollars!
Great! Thanks for taking the time to watch my video.
Thank you! I used a spare 1911 recoil spring. Cut it to fit the strut. Now it's working fine!
That's great! it pays to improvise.
Very helpful. Just change longer spring and my gun safe works again. Thank you so much.
I'm glad it worked for you! Thanks for watching.
I did this, too. Extended life of my piston approximately 1 yr, but it got to the point where even the new stronger longer spring didn't help. Pls see my post that describes adding 1" of 6mm tapped stock to extend the piston's rod.
Replaced my piston with Apexstone piston, which is 3/4" shorter than the original. Operates well, but safe door will not fully open. Took 1" aluminum stock. Drilled 5mm though it. Tapped it with 6mm tap. Put 6mm bolt into tapped stock. Cut off bolt head leaving 1/2" protruding from stock. Threaded stock onto piston. Installed piston into safe. Door opens quickly and fully. No more lid bouncing during opening because piston is now fully extended with tapped stock attached. Without lid bouncing and rattling, the safe opens quieter now.
It's great that you have the skills to successfully improvise and make things work! Hopefully others who have the same problem will see your comment.
Thank you - your fix worked perfectly
Glad it worked and thanks for watching!
Thank you! This is exactly what I needed!
Glad it was helpful! Did you get if fixed?
@@deerparkhomeshop2471 Yes, and it works like it was new!
Good one..this is EXACTLY what I needed to see ..thanks!😄
Glad it helped. Thanks for letting me know!
Very helpful. Thanks. I’m going to give the hack a try.
Good luck! Let me know how it works.
Good advice! Thank you
Appreciate the comment and thanks for watching!
I was just watching this video because I'm doing the exact replacement right now and found something that could affect the door opening: the plate that the bottom screws through can bend and contact the hinge at the top, impeding the swinging up. pay attention as you screw in the new (or old strut) at the bottom if it pushes into the (i think) ball bearing ring of the hinge. just use a pair of needle nose pliers to bend it away and straight
just for clarity. the original strut was indeed still a problem and replaced with the Apexstone 80N strut. I just noticed that plate piece binding on the first check of my work.
That's good advise. Thank you for sharing. I had to do a little surgery on mine. The top socket assy. was dragging on the side of the box. I had to do a littly grinfing to create clearance.
Why would you say the 75 cent solution is the wrong way to do it? Paying less for a solution that accomplishes the intended result is in fact the correct way to do it.
I appreciate your logic and I would agree, but If you contact the manufactor, they will suggest the piston replacement as the right thing to do. That makes the hack the "wrong" way, even though it will work for probably 80% of people.
I had this issue and Sentry sent me new Gas Cylinders at no charge.
Since mine was pretty old, I didn't even think to contact Sentry. I may have gotten a free one too!
what size is that bigger spring, would you mind to share the specs so I can but at the local hardware store?
it's 3/8" wide X 2" long. Not sure what gauge the coil is. I bought the strongest one they had.
Thank you.
You're welcome! Hope it works for you.
The piston just acts as a smooth operator. Go get a spring. Sorry Sade.
Of course, if the piston is totally worn out the lid may not pop open all the way up. You just want to make sure that it opens high enough that in an emergency, you won't have to fumble trying to get to your weapon. When I bought the longer spring, I was worried that the safe may not close properly, but that wasn't a problem. Thanks for watching.
I ordered from your link. thanks!
Thank you! Also, thanks for watching.
Do the replacaement gas struts go bad by just sitting around? Apexstone has 4 gas struts for just $1 more than the 2 pack. Thoughts? Also, is there a reason you went with the 7 inch strut? When I measure the strut end to end, it seems like it's 8 inches.
I'm not 100% sure but I would take a chance for $1. My safe was well over 10 years old before the struts failed and I didn't open but a couple of times a month, so I imagine that the seals may deteriorate over time.
@@deerparkhomeshop2471 Hey Mike. Thanks for the quick reply. Was there a reason you went with the 7 inch strut vs. the 8 inch strut?
@@dcollier7126 My recollection is that I couldn't find an exact replacement and the 7" versions were recommended for the box. If you can find the 8" versions, that would be great. Just look them over good and make sure they fit. I had trouble with the end socket being too wide and wouldn't slip onto the mtg. post.