RE: PDP-11/44 gas struts
This would be the "11X44" configuration where the 11/44 is mounted in a 40 inch
top-loading H9642 cabinet ("corp cab").
See http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/pdp11/1144/1144_UsersGuide.pdf, Figure 4-5
(page 4-7)
-Original Message-
From: cctalk On Behalf Of Zane Healy via cctalk
Sent: Friday, December 24, 2021 3:16 PM
To: jim stephens ; General Discussion: On-Topic and
Off-Topic Posts
Subject: Re: PDP-11/44 gas struts
Out of curiosity, is there a manual for this style PDP-11/44 online? This is
the style I have, but I’m pretty sure my manual is for the pull-out enclosure.
A manual on this enclosure might give some idea on the gas struts.
Zane
> On Dec 24, 2021, at 11:58 AM, jim stephens via cctalk
> wrote:
>
> I have the same system cabinet, but have not looked at it in detail. I think
> from some of the replies, they are thinking about the H960 tall cabinets and
> systems that are pulled out, then rotate on the slides.
>
> This I think is like the hood of a car, then the system tilts up, as the
> cabinet isn't that tall that you can't work on it on top.
>
> As to sources, either automotive sources and match the fit, or a supplier
> like McMaster Carr. I don't think any NOS on these would be any better than
> the ones you have that rotted out.
>
> I only just got the 11/44 and didn't poke at it yet, just moved it from the
> original owner's storage to mine.
>
> I hope it to be one of my first 'big' projects after some PDP8s are tackled.
>
> thanks
> JIm
>
> On 12/23/2021 8:43 PM, Alan Frisbie via cctalk wrote:
>> I have a PDP-11/44 system in the DEC 41" high cabinet.
>> It is designed to be tilted up for service, aided and supported by
>> two gas struts, one on each side.
>>
>> Unfortunately, after all these years, the struts have failed and do
>> not provide any assistance. That box is heavy!
>>
>> Does anyone know where I can get replacement gas struts?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Alan Frisbie
>>
>
Re: PDP-11/44 gas struts
There was a Basic four system I had which was a small amount taller but you get into having to have a really big counterweight. I could imagine a smaller amount and the rear placement of the 11/44 Power supply weight would allow RL02s and such pulled, but leave the system where it is and raise the lid. All w/o having gone to look it up, so I'm guessing. Also the H960 has small feet that support the weight as well when you pull things for service. thanks Jim On 12/24/2021 12:16 PM, Zane Healy wrote: Out of curiosity, is there a manual for this style PDP-11/44 online? This is the style I have, but I’m pretty sure my manual is for the pull-out enclosure. A manual on this enclosure might give some idea on the gas struts. Zane On Dec 24, 2021, at 11:58 AM, jim stephens via cctalk wrote: I have the same system cabinet, but have not looked at it in detail. I think from some of the replies, they are thinking about the H960 tall cabinets and systems that are pulled out, then rotate on the slides. This I think is like the hood of a car, then the system tilts up, as the cabinet isn't that tall that you can't work on it on top. As to sources, either automotive sources and match the fit, or a supplier like McMaster Carr. I don't think any NOS on these would be any better than the ones you have that rotted out. I only just got the 11/44 and didn't poke at it yet, just moved it from the original owner's storage to mine. I hope it to be one of my first 'big' projects after some PDP8s are tackled. thanks JIm On 12/23/2021 8:43 PM, Alan Frisbie via cctalk wrote: I have a PDP-11/44 system in the DEC 41" high cabinet. It is designed to be tilted up for service, aided and supported by two gas struts, one on each side. Unfortunately, after all these years, the struts have failed and do not provide any assistance. That box is heavy! Does anyone know where I can get replacement gas struts? Thanks, Alan Frisbie
Re: PDP-11/44 gas struts
Out of curiosity, is there a manual for this style PDP-11/44 online? This is the style I have, but I’m pretty sure my manual is for the pull-out enclosure. A manual on this enclosure might give some idea on the gas struts. Zane > On Dec 24, 2021, at 11:58 AM, jim stephens via cctalk > wrote: > > I have the same system cabinet, but have not looked at it in detail. I think > from some of the replies, they are thinking about the H960 tall cabinets and > systems that are pulled out, then rotate on the slides. > > This I think is like the hood of a car, then the system tilts up, as the > cabinet isn't that tall that you can't work on it on top. > > As to sources, either automotive sources and match the fit, or a supplier > like McMaster Carr. I don't think any NOS on these would be any better than > the ones you have that rotted out. > > I only just got the 11/44 and didn't poke at it yet, just moved it from the > original owner's storage to mine. > > I hope it to be one of my first 'big' projects after some PDP8s are tackled. > > thanks > JIm > > On 12/23/2021 8:43 PM, Alan Frisbie via cctalk wrote: >> I have a PDP-11/44 system in the DEC 41" high cabinet. >> It is designed to be tilted up for service, aided and >> supported by two gas struts, one on each side. >> >> Unfortunately, after all these years, the struts have >> failed and do not provide any assistance. That box is >> heavy! >> >> Does anyone know where I can get replacement gas struts? >> >> Thanks, >> Alan Frisbie >> >
Re: PDP-11/44 gas struts
I have the same system cabinet, but have not looked at it in detail. I think from some of the replies, they are thinking about the H960 tall cabinets and systems that are pulled out, then rotate on the slides. This I think is like the hood of a car, then the system tilts up, as the cabinet isn't that tall that you can't work on it on top. As to sources, either automotive sources and match the fit, or a supplier like McMaster Carr. I don't think any NOS on these would be any better than the ones you have that rotted out. I only just got the 11/44 and didn't poke at it yet, just moved it from the original owner's storage to mine. I hope it to be one of my first 'big' projects after some PDP8s are tackled. thanks JIm On 12/23/2021 8:43 PM, Alan Frisbie via cctalk wrote: I have a PDP-11/44 system in the DEC 41" high cabinet. It is designed to be tilted up for service, aided and supported by two gas struts, one on each side. Unfortunately, after all these years, the struts have failed and do not provide any assistance. That box is heavy! Does anyone know where I can get replacement gas struts? Thanks, Alan Frisbie
Re: PDP-11/44 gas struts
Like Steve, I don't know about the original application. My own 11/44 project pile has the slide out and rotate style of slides, to the extent that it has any slides at all. When I need gas struts and cannot identify a source for exact original replacements, I usually look at McMaster-Carr first: https://www.mcmaster.com/gas-struts/ -- Mark J. Blair Blog:https://www.nf6x.net Git: https://gitlab.com/users/NF6X/groups HECnet: DOGPAK::MBLAIR Twitter: @nf6x
Re: PDP-11/44 gas struts
Alan asked > I have a PDP-11/44 system in the DEC 41" high cabinet. > It is designed to be tilted up for service, aided and > supported by two gas struts, one on each side. > > Unfortunately, after all these years, the struts have > failed and do not provide any assistance. That box is > heavy! > > Does anyone know where I can get replacement gas struts? No idea about original but if aftermarket is ok: ebay.com 69,448 results for gas strut Results could surely be narrowed down if dimensions provided. Also for a given size they come in different levels of compression force required. I have replaced a few here and there, and also had them re-gassed by a mobile service although that did not really last a long time. Steve
