[siripum]

I’m trying to build a small DIY workstation that adjusts up and down, but I’ve never picked an actuator before. I always assumed they were basically just “push/pull motors,” but now I’m seeing stuff about stroke length, load ratings, and duty cycles. Can someone explain what really matters for a first-timer so I don’t buy the wrong thing?

[lakidog]

When you’re choosing your first actuator, it definitely feels like way too many specs to think about. Load rating is the one people overlook the most — if you’re lifting a desk, don’t go by weight only, consider leverage points too. Stroke length decides how far the desk will move, so measure that before anything else. Duty cycle matters if you expect frequent adjustments; some actuators aren’t made for long continuous use. Noise level is another thing nobody warns you about, especially if you’re using it in a quiet room. I’d suggest checking a breakdown of these factors side by side. This is what I use — https://www.progressiveautomations.ca/pages/actuators
— they explain each parameter in a normal, non-technical way. After reading their guide, everything suddenly feels much less chaotic. You’ll know exactly what to look for.

[archybows]

Not answering the question, but I remember when I tried building a monitor lift inside a custom cabinet. I spent more time figuring out measurements and how much weight the screen actually puts on the brackets than assembling the whole thing. Funny how the planning ended up taking three evenings while the installation took maybe half an hour.

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