Wheelchairs in the shop.

[davestea]

BTW Burnlast -

Dreaming ? Sure you are - and I hope you both don't stop - without those kinds of dreams where would either of you be - or get?

I think I wrote the previous post with enough info and details to get you thinking and started on such a project. For testing his abilities I'd suggest you start with a dolly if you have one and put some cardboard pad/supports for strapping in his legs and then stand him up - you'll likely have to have him nearly laying down to get started.

I'd like it if you would keep me informed of any progress. I've done some adaptive work for a couple handicapped friends and myself but nothing like this.

Write me off line anytime - davestea@ev1.net



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Dave - Castro Valley CA - Smithy, Select Mill, Atlas 6" and Unimat lathe

[Dave Opincarne]

Lots of good suggestion so I won't waste bandwidth with redundent suggestions, but will make good use of it to offer two " 'atta boy's " to you. One for your effort to reach out to someone elses child and one for being so willing to accomidate him. Way to go!

[ibewgypsie]

Simple raised platform in front of the machines.
Maybe a 2x8 box with plywood on it? cut at a angle to roll up on.
We use this method here at one time.
My neighbor is in a wheelchair, the other problems exist, like learning some limitations. (watching my neighbor catch himself on fire welding)
But, I have saw some excellent Cad-cam machinist in wheelchairs. No limits on the programs they can write, the loading of the machines are small stuff.
Can I help any?

[JoelK]

I saw a guy at Grizzly in a wheelchair buying tooling (had his wife carrying a milling vice for him!)and later noticed him at the Cabin Fever show. I thought to myself this would be a great hobby for someone in that situation. With the machining skills someone could create almost anything they needed to help themselves and others adapt. I had a classmate who was in a wheelchair after a high school car accident. He had a very successful business making/selling equipment to help handicapped people.

One thing I would be concerned about is chips, hot or otherwise. If they landed in his lap, he might not notice them. Getting them into cloths or shoes would also pose a problems with cuts or getting them embedded so good protection would definitely be in order.

[burnlast]

We were out in the shop this afternoon.Played around with a few ideas presented here.some ideas show a little promise,many thanks for the support & to all who have contributed.We came up with an idea of putting some out riggers(for lack of a better term) on a frame, that would plug into his chair.This frame would have 2 jack cylinders (like what is on an engine hoist)to raise or lower to approprate height.If need be, he can lower to floor to manuver around.What do you think???

Burnlast!!!!

[This message has been edited by burnlast (edited 03-01-2003).]

[burnlast]

Joel,
Didn't consider the chip problem.Maybe an apron that is oversized in right places,might also be in order.Thanks.

[darryl]

Just a couple more brainstorm ideas. I think if it was me, I'd like to be able to manoever around in the raised position, and not have to lower down to change position. One could always grab hold of the lathe bed, or the stand and push yourself around, but eqally important might be to be fixed in position, so you have something to leverage against while operating the machine. Castors with brakes, with extended rods for control of them? Also, is this wheelchair electric? Is it possible to attach four electric 'jacks' ,which become legs when extended- no rolling around this way- maybe rotated through a single motor using bicycle chain and sprockets. Whatever mechanism, it may need to be 'chip proof'. No good if it can get jammed. Something like that could be used anywhere an extra height is needed. Of course, it adds weight to the chair.

[krawdad13112]

I saw a program a month or two ago about twin girls in Alaska with mobility problems. Their father and his machinist friend eventually developed a different kind of wheel chair thatwas able to raise and lower the girls and was mobile enough for the girls to play effectively with their friends. Check with your PBS station to see if you could see a copy of this film. You and your young friend might have the basis for a beautiful project. good luck, Kurt

[mbensema]

What kind of chair does he have? Is it the normal type or the sport version? My nephew has the sport version since he plays basketball and it has casters on the back so that he can't tip backwards, the normal chairs can have those too. The wheels are angled outwards at the bottom to give better stability. Making a seat lift with one of these types of chairs may be a good solution and may not need the stabilizing arms that was mentioned. I hadn't thought of the hot chips, but the apron should be a must. Have you tried calling Quickie, the manufacturer of wheelchairs, for ideas? My nephew is looking into solutions for himself, he has woodshop in school, but can't use most of the tools until someone comes up with a good solution. I think he'll find it, on his 13th birthday he did a 5 mile wheelie in his wheelchair for a Guiness record, with determination like that, the sky is the limit! I'll keep everyone informed about what he comes up with.

Mike

[rtremaine]

I used to work with an auto mechanic who was confined to a wheelchair. He had modified a wheel chair with a scissor jack similiar to what is described in the post above. The crank linkage had a steering coupler u-joint in it to allow him to operate it. With this device he was able to raise himself to hang over fenders and or the front of vehicles to work on them. Would ask me to test drive his jobs when they were done. Perhaps this would be a good project.

randy t