I could use any help you can provide in finding handicapped shop design information. In this case, my buddy is confined to a wheel chair but can use his upper extremeties well enough.
How, for instance, might a wheel-chair-bound person use a table saw? A jointer?
Thanks!
Roy
Replies
Fascinating question, Royrk.
One possible solution would be to place the tools, then build ramped platforms which would allow a person in a wheelchair to sit at a convenient working height. It would probably require quite a bit of floor space so the chair can be moved around, turned, etc, but it might work. Another possible benefit to platforms would be that DC ducting, power cords, etc could be run under the platforms and not just laid on the floor. - lol
Another possibility would be to either modify the tool stands to lower the working height - or build new ones. I have a couple of shop made mobile stands that I use for bench top tools and they I could have made them any height I wanted to.
How about a raised floor that puts all the tools at a better height? Rather then ramp him up to the tools make them move down to his best level? And you can run cords and pipe under the floor.
Edward
Roy,
This may call for some out of the box thinking. Perhaps some of the 'traditional' stationary equipment aren not appropriate. I'm thinking a saw and guide system may work better for someone the must remain seated. Festool makes a table system that looks pretty cool.
Obviously on some machines like a table saw, being seat is a huge disadvantage. He may not have the reach to fully push the wood through. Machines like this could be outfitted with a power feeder.
If he likes turning some lathes are alread set up for seated turning.
Buster
Roy, I'm a wheelchair user that has a complete woodshop. I use a contractors table saw because they are easy to lower. Get or make some good push sticks to use. I have built lower stands for my 8" jointer , bandsaw, radial arm saw. I modified the legs on my workbench to lower it. I don't like the idea of going up and down a ramp to get to a machine tool. It's difficult enough moving a long piece of wood to a machine without having to go up and down a ramp. I use saw horses and a guide system with a skil saw to cut sheets of plywood down to size. For really large pieces of wood I can't move by myself I can always get my wife or a friend to help. Most anything can be done from a wheelchair, just keep experminting until you find out what works best for your friend.
Larry
Larry,
You're the one who has the practical experiance here. So I'll bounce this one off you. The problem on many tools (table saw, jointer, ect) is getting your body over a tool to allow movement of wood through the tool. Would it help to lower one end of the tool (say the front of a table saw) to increase visibilty, and reach through to tool? Say lowering the onfeed of the saw or jointer 20 degrees out of level. Would any advantages outway the disadvantages?
Another thought. Would the use of a verticle panel saw be more accesable for may cuts if the wood could be clamped securely?
One other idea.. I thought I once saw a wheelchair that holds the body in a verticle position. In other words it holds the body in a standing position. Would this work better than the seated position.
Here's a site of one of the chairs.. Must cost a fortune..
http://www.redmanpowerchair.com/home.php?gclid=CNms-cbqpI8CFQhtFQodSUlcSQ
Larry,FWW should write a piece about this topic. I have not found a link to the editors to make such a request but I'll keep looking. Would you be willing to have your shop and yourself featured in such an article? I'm sure that personal technique is as important or more so than shop design. I am amazed that you have learned to do what you describe and I'm sure others would be as well.Thanks,
Roy
Roy,
Matt Berger just started a discussion, http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=38184.1 on Getting Started in Woodworking. Perfect timing for you.
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
All the posts seem reasonable to me.. But what would I know? I do not use a wheel chair.
Just a thought...
Why not bring your friend to your shop and make something together? See. Talk about his needs and you can watch closely about safety issues you may see. I would not try to tell him what to do.. Just watch and listen carefully. If you see something dangerous YELL! and then go over it with him on how it can be improved.
I would make a moveable temporary platform he could use at the different tools.
Hi royrk,
I have recently broken my leg and find myself wheelchair bound for the time being. I can only give you a sort of temporary view point you may find useful. I'll start with the ramp question first. A change in grade is very difficult for me even if we're only talking an inch or two. I would advise removing all changes in grade in the shop including any wires that may be run along the floor. Don't forget about the entry and exits.
Secondly, I've found that I was lucky to have a work table that turned out to be the perfect height. A solid core door layed between two saw horses allows me to pull my wheelchair up to the table just like for dinner. My legs are under the table (good for protection of a broken leg by the way) and my hands and arms can reach a good two feet across the surface. I can manipulate with force when I lock my wheels - something else a wheelchair newbie has to be constantly aware of.
Finally, I've had to take the time to clear the spaces under all my workstations so the wheelchair can fit as close as possible to the tool. That means I'm constantly moving things around so I can both get to them and they don't get in the way when stored. I would suggest less storage under the tools and more storage along the walls or any place that is out of the way will be in order for the wheelchair user. I suppose that's a common problem in a home as well. Maybe someone who knows how to lay out a home for a wheelchair user would be a good resource for advise on shop layout also.
Definitely a subject worth pursuing because as I recover, I've found that anything I can do for myself, such as work in the shop, helps my state of mind and that helps with the healing.
Thanks,
Jim
I have done woodworking from a wheelchair for about 20 years. Raised floors and ramps are not good solutions. It is very difficult to carry things up a ramp or across floors with bumps and seams. I often have to balance work pieces in my lap and push my chair with one hand. That would be impossible on a ramp. A smooth, clean floor really helps. I typically make shorter stands for some of my tools, but have no problems using a cabinet saw that is 33" high. It definitely helps to have a taller wheelchair. My chair seat is 20" tall.It is frustrating that I am often limited to "bench top" models of some tools (e.g. drill press) and that manufacturers refuse to sell some tools without the stand (e.g. > 14" band saws), which I must pay for but can't use.Also, I have found a lot of satisfaction out of favoring hand tools over power tools in many cases.
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