How to install gas strut to soft close wooden box lid?

[jarko]

I've made a wooden box with a lid, which will be used by young children (inspired by this YouTube short: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/b82yN588qzc).

I want to make the lid soft close, to prevent mishaps with fingers, and the lid is too heavy to be soft close with regular soft close hinges/cupboard braces - so I want to use gas struts.

I want the lid to have an 80/85 degree max opening, the box depth is 400mm, the lid depth is 33mm and the lid length is 357mm.

I measured the length of the opening and ended up purchasing two 325mm struts (https://www.bunnings.com.au/goliath-325mm-150n-black-gas-strut_p4230058) and brackets (https://www.bunnings.com.au/goliath-20-x-25mm-stainless-steel-gas-strut-bracket-with-ball-stud_p4230... / https://www.bunnings.com.au/goliath-10mm-ball-end-bracket-strut_p4230085).

But when I installed the struts (like in the video), the lid wouldn't close. I also tried using a calculator online (https://www.gasspringsshop.com/gas-spring-calculator/) and had the same issue (it recommended a 332mm strut which likely impacted the placement locations).

I've uploaded a picture (the strut is currently not connected to the base since the lid then doesn't close) - can anyone help me understand what I am doing wrong here?

[jarko]

Thanks Eric, I don't understand how this is physically possible as the strut cannot be lowered any further. It's at its lowest point possible on the lid.

I can try @J-P's setup and see how that goes..

[MitchellMc]

Hi @jarko,

I believe Eric is suggesting to lower the bottom mount on the box, not the top on the lid. That should work, but it's not an optimal solution.

Regarding @J-P's advice, I believe the orientation they showed is the correct installation method, with the bottom mount positioned further toward the front of the box. You'll see in my pool pump cover, on step 9, that's how I positioned the struts.

If I were to hazard a guess, I would say the correct mounting positions would be as I've marked below.

Mitchell