Gas struts
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2025
Aviation Qualifications: A&P
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Ukala
Gas struts
Right ok, weird one here.
So I’ve only recently graduated A&P school. In a relatively chill hangar with mostly old guys who’ve all been there like a million years. Always full of info but seem to be running down the clock to retirement. As a result myself and the other new guy seem to get all the jobs none of them want.
Fair enough. Not a problem for me, except the other guy refuses to do overhead work. So I get all of it.
My arms always ache, and to put it mildly I can’t stand it. I’ve found a wearable exoskeleton designed for overhead work sold by Hilti but at 1300 I can’t justify that right now.
In my previous job I worked a lot with gas struts (specifically repurposing them from old cars), so have drawn up a quick mechanism that would cost not a great deal and help me. Before I build it though, I decided to one of the older guys who said it’d look good but that he’d make fun of me for “playing Batman” - whatever better some more hazing than my arms aching - but one of the other guys said it was against the regs and has yet to elaborate.
I don’t work in the military and my place allows us to use homemade tools so I don’t think he was meaning anything like that. But obviously I’ve got two guys telling me completely opposite things and would really rather not risk losing the job because I’m being cheap (or waste my time building something I can’t use).
Anyone got any idea whether two non-aviation gas struts can be used to hold up my arms for overhead work?
thanks
So I’ve only recently graduated A&P school. In a relatively chill hangar with mostly old guys who’ve all been there like a million years. Always full of info but seem to be running down the clock to retirement. As a result myself and the other new guy seem to get all the jobs none of them want.
Fair enough. Not a problem for me, except the other guy refuses to do overhead work. So I get all of it.
My arms always ache, and to put it mildly I can’t stand it. I’ve found a wearable exoskeleton designed for overhead work sold by Hilti but at 1300 I can’t justify that right now.
In my previous job I worked a lot with gas struts (specifically repurposing them from old cars), so have drawn up a quick mechanism that would cost not a great deal and help me. Before I build it though, I decided to one of the older guys who said it’d look good but that he’d make fun of me for “playing Batman” - whatever better some more hazing than my arms aching - but one of the other guys said it was against the regs and has yet to elaborate.
I don’t work in the military and my place allows us to use homemade tools so I don’t think he was meaning anything like that. But obviously I’ve got two guys telling me completely opposite things and would really rather not risk losing the job because I’m being cheap (or waste my time building something I can’t use).
Anyone got any idea whether two non-aviation gas struts can be used to hold up my arms for overhead work?
thanks
Joined: Oct 2019
Aviation Qualifications: Non-Aircrew
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 1,079
From: USA
Build it anyway. If it works, great. If not, then you have a place to go from. There are individual gas struts that hold entire people built into chairs; I'm sure someone can supply a strut with the needed stroke, rod-size, and pressurization to meet whatever requirement you have.
Consider also the use of cables in housings that can allow the gas struts to be located in some more convenient place. Just a reminder, this is how human fingers work - the finger muscles are in the forearms with tendons in sheaths to carry their force and movement to the joints.
It's interesting Hilti makes one - I recall this image from the 1960s:
https://cyberneticzoo.com/wp-content...cover-x640.jpg (refused to be uploaded.)
from https://cyberneticzoo.com/man-amplif...izen-american/
(worker lifting an engine with one hand)
Consider also the use of cables in housings that can allow the gas struts to be located in some more convenient place. Just a reminder, this is how human fingers work - the finger muscles are in the forearms with tendons in sheaths to carry their force and movement to the joints.
It's interesting Hilti makes one - I recall this image from the 1960s:
https://cyberneticzoo.com/wp-content...cover-x640.jpg (refused to be uploaded.)
from https://cyberneticzoo.com/man-amplif...izen-american/
(worker lifting an engine with one hand)
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 140
Likes: 9
From: Wiltshire
When we had contractors come into the hangar for a period of time, they'd have their own tools/boxes. So long as the tools were registered locally (within the hangar) then they could use them. Passed all the CAA inspections. Control was the thing and be seen to prove it.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Joined: Nov 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,144
Likes: 741
From: UK
Without knowing what your 'overhead' work is, would there be a way of arranging a seat or even a platform ?
I find that working while holding my arms above my head while also standing can be tiring. But I if I can lay down on some sort of platform underneath whatever it is, and raise my arms from a laying position; I have a bit more resilience.
If your bosses or your peers tell you to stop moaning and get on with it, just reply that you cannot work like that for extended periods because it hurts. What are they going to do ? What they must do is prevent RSI and work practices that cause pain and injury.
Join your Union, as well.
I wouldn't start inventing and building an exoskeleton - that could potentially cause more problems and safety issues than it solves.
And it's not your problem to solve, (even though I realise you are keen and resourceful). It is for the company to organise safe practises and a safe workplace.
I find that working while holding my arms above my head while also standing can be tiring. But I if I can lay down on some sort of platform underneath whatever it is, and raise my arms from a laying position; I have a bit more resilience.
If your bosses or your peers tell you to stop moaning and get on with it, just reply that you cannot work like that for extended periods because it hurts. What are they going to do ? What they must do is prevent RSI and work practices that cause pain and injury.
Join your Union, as well.
I wouldn't start inventing and building an exoskeleton - that could potentially cause more problems and safety issues than it solves.
And it's not your problem to solve, (even though I realise you are keen and resourceful). It is for the company to organise safe practises and a safe workplace.
