Planning to build a Murphy bed, thinking hardware from Rocklers. Concerned about the piston survival in cold weather. This is vacation home in NW Wisconsin, shut down in winter when temps will drop to -20. Can these extremes cause piston leakage?
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Yes--you might want to consider the original Murphy bed spring mechanism instead.
You know, I ordered the mechanism from Rockler's or similar about ten years ago, then a painter that my Mom hired screwed up the piston connection, and I found out that the pistons are very, very similar to the automotive pistons used for hoods and rear hatches on SUV's. The one's I have are very durable, and might be sluggish in cold temperatures, but I think they would function and not leak. I mean, cars and trucks are engineered for extremes in temperature.
The Murphy Bed concept is wonderful - in the office space at my Mom's house, the bed only gets used about three nights a year, but voila - a queen size bed and a standard mattress in just a second ! Very convenient.
Greg