Ahhhh Karma. There is some good left in the world. e-mike got his stuff back from bpp, Shaun's helping out the world, jay is helping, all good stuff guys. Nice work Shaun!

Great JOB!!

A few comments:
1) What portion of the chair are you welding? If its in any way structural, I wouldnt do that. Plastics are of two types - one can be reheated and shaped, the other can't. PVC/ABS are of the type that cant. They get brittle and loose their internal molecular bonding.

2) You are going to have a hard time finding swivel stem casters in anything bigger than a 4" wheel. I may have a couple at work that I can try to get to you. I wont know until next week when I go back to work.

Do you still need that 1" aluminum tube?


Thoughts for the BL version....Cg is extremely important. The operator must be able to have full control of the vehicle at all times. I think someone posted that current models have a horrible CG.

I have more thoghts, but my bathroom remodel is calling me right now (yes, thats the wife!).

Happy new year!

If you need larger caster wheels, you could look into pneumatic ones, I've seen ones from ~8"+ they aren't very expensive and not too hard to get.

You're a true gentlemen and scholar!.. thank you Jay!.. If you have end up in So-cal (you know for a probation hearing or anything, LOL.LOL.) please let me know ahead of time, I know some great spots!..

Thank you again Sir.

Shaun.





Karma is GREAT thing!.. At least to those who live by the golden rule, (do on to others as you have them do on too you!).. Luckly Sir we've got some great guys (GIVERS!) we should all be proud to know and associate with them..

Speeking of givers!, Thank you for the kind words Sir and please keep-up the great work yourself..

Thanks again for stopping by and letting me I'm on the right track..

Have a great one!..

Shaun.


P.S.
We absolutely need to get together one of these days, for meeting, for drink, for a smoke and for some good times.. I know I've read that you want to get to Cali, well I've got some airline miles I'll offer up if you up for it?? Just let me know and we'll work something out!..

Have a great one Sir..





Excellent!! I love comments.. I get different prospectives and eyes looking at it!. Fire-a-way .

The first Chair (blue one) I used the plastic welder designed for PVC, Nylon and ABS, I used it on all of the exterior joints throughout the chair. It's been in the RD phase (IE) kids use and abused it for the last few weeks and so for it's holding up quite well. I hear what your saying / warning me against and do appreciate the voice.. Only time will tell for sure and that's kind of why I made a second chair, I wanted to compare a welded chair against a glued chair (I'll be checking for longevity) and presenting the best of the best to the world.. I'll let you know / the team how the RD proceed as time moves on!.. (GREAT THOUGHT!) thank you for making sure I'm thinking things thou..

Actually (OSH) orchard supply hardware carries 6" x 1.5" swivel caster for $15.98 each and I've also found a killer sites that carry some of the more higher end ones along with 8" swivels. I don't know about the 8" one's though!, I'm concerned they will be to tall??.. Again thank you for the comment! And the extremely generous offer!..

I did / was able to find the required tubing at Lowes and Homdepot!.. much like my RD above between the two chairs on the blue chair I'm using ½ alumni rod for axels, as for my second chair I'm going with ½ harden steel rod. I'm thinking that this will holdup better but again only time will tell..

THANK YOU again for the extremely generous offers, thoughts and kind words Sir!, I want to represent the Monster family proud by offering up the best of the best for the cheapest possible..

Please stop by again, I've got some MAG rims coming for the 2nd chair and I'm pippin it out!.. HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAaaa.

Have a great one..

Shaun.

P.S.
Best of luck with you restroom remodel!.. I’m almost done with mine!.. we’ll need to compare pictures! LOL…





OOOhhhhh can you forward me a link?? The ones that I found are about $30-40 per wheel?? If you know of a better / cheaper spot please post the link!..

Thanks for stooping by and leaving a comments.. I need all I can get!..

Have a great one..

Shaun

Hey guys well just so you know progress continues!

The first chair (blue one) get used and aboused by the kids on a daily bassis!, to them it new toy! And my boy just learned to pop wheelies in it LOL.LOL.LOL you should have seen him smile from ear to ear!. HAhahahhahaa..

The second chair I'm going a BRIGHT YELLOW. It was good enough for my 57 chevy and I hope it good enough for the chair??. I also order up some mags for it (6 spoke rimes) and I'm thinking about dying them Yellow to match the chair!.. what do you think too Much??? LOL.

Have a great one everybody and thanks again for your time and your comments!..

P.S.
Mike (Mr. Monster) I still have not heard back from you on your permission to use your RCM / logo on the chair!, can you let me know what your thoughts are?? If I need I'll shoot you out a private picture before I go public with my how I'm showing your good / GREAT name / site!.. that's not a problem at all.. but in all farness to you I wont add your name / site without your approval first.. I know you never thought you would end up on the back of 3rd world wheel chair in Africa, or Asia, or Russia, wherever the united nations take it!, but than again I never thought I would be doing this either!. So it's a first for both of us.. .. I hoping you'll just smile and go along for the ride!.. (so to speak!) hahahaaaa




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And a little bling for the blue chair.. LOL.LOL..


http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/IMG_4442.jpg

Amazing.
 

You are amazing Shaun. It is fun just to read what you are doing every day. Nice work and you seem to be having a good time with this project. So where did you come up with those bolt on rings for the wheels? Or did you have them made somewhere? I am just curious as to how you came up with them. Do you have a system worked out now for duplicating them, or is it all in your head? Just yanking your chain. You seem to be on the somewhat organized side of the spectum. Looking good Shaun. You are going to be someones HERO. Maybe lincpimp's???:lol::rofl:

WAY cool dude! Back in the 80s my dad have a 150lb purebred malamute named Sachy. (Saa-chee)
Now we have a 10 year old australian shepherd tricolour. She is only about 60lb.

:party: YES… my mags came in today!.. :yipi::yipi:

Now I’m going yellow on the mags to match the chair.. (pimpen!):intello: Someone going to end up with something speiacl.. ( I hope) :neutral: :angel: :rofl:

Have a great one guys.. :wink:

Shaun.



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Pimpin.
 

Now that is the way to Pimp your ride. Nice wheels Shaun. Where did you come up with those wheels, and how much did they cost? I like the solid looing wheels better than the old school spoke wheels. Much more strength in my opinion. I think you need to go with some matalic colors for reflectivity in darkened situations. Looking good young man.:lol:

Shaun-

Absolutely awesome. Wheelchairs become a part of the users identity, and I know I wouldn't like to sit in something cheap looking all day. Nice combination of form and function. I have no suggestions, you have it covered.

Thanks guys!!
 

Thanks for the kind words Jerry!.. Actually I found them pre-fabed up for $40.00 for both hoops.. I didn’t want the end user to get their hands dirty by pushing / pulling on the tires.. I hope I’m on the (somewhat organized spectrum) LOL.LOL.. I’ve been on the other side for so long it normal.. hahahhahahhaaaa…

Well if I can make at least one needy person hapy / give the gift of mobility then it’s all worth it on the end.. Linc… Well linc can make his own.. LOL.LOL…

Have a great one Sir..

Shaun.


Nice…. We had a austrailin shepherd back on the farm when I was like 12.. Dam dog come running away and loved the chase the chickens!.. it would piss my DAD off (Big time).. Ahhh good time.. 150lbs isn’t bad either.. Malamute are great dogs and frosty is deffetnly the guard dog of the house.. you mess with the kids and you’ll mess with frosty.. Got any pics??.

Have a great one and thanks again for stopping by

Have a great one Sir..

Shaun.



Hey Jerry!.. Thanks.. I’ve been doing so much research on this build I know more about wheelchairs, the parts and sizes now than I ever thought I would know.. they are actually the same costs as the outer rings for the spoke wheels.($40 a par) so the cost works GREAT!!. The problem is they are hard soul tires, so it will give the end user a much rougher ride and I'm not sure how well they will hold up on a dirt road (RD) my friend, RD will tell me!.. My gut is saying go back the mountain bike setup, but then again I’ve got try different things to see (for myself) what works and what doesn’t..

Thanks again for the kinds words of encouragement and have a great week sir..

Shaun.


Thank you SIR.. i was hopping you would stop by and leave comments.. I don’t want to give anything away that I'm not proud of or doesn’t represent RCM in the best of ways.. I know it's kind of bright and it will be a (little FLASHY) LOL.LOL. but I'm hoping once I install the black seat, and some other things I've got up my sleeve it will all turn out for the better!..

:whistle: The BEST THING IS!!!!!! :yipi::yipi: I'm able to complete this chair (everything) for under $200.00.. :gasp: :intello:

United Nations here I come!!! :party: (Well in a few weeks).. :wink:

Have a GREAT ONE and thanks again for all of your help and support..

Shaun.

Wow - Really coming on quick (not that i should be surprised) - Wheels look great...

I don't have a picture of Sachy because he lived long before digital cameras were invented. I'll see if I can find a printed picture and scan it for you, though.

Next
 

Hey Shaun I just found your next chair project. I saw this and immediately thought this has Shaun written all over it.:yes::lol::yipi::rofl:

http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/q...E/bdb28e9c.jpg

^wow^^^ that thing is awesome!

Under $200! Awesome. You are going to improve the lives of so many. Kudos.

There is a video of that chair on Youtube, i think i found it under "tracked wheelchair" or "custom wheelchair" i can't remember. The chair is actually fairly cheap except for the $6000 Mattracks:lol:. U can only buy them in a set of 4 so at least u can build 2 chairs:yes:.

Well just a quick update for everyone!... :intello:

I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.. :yes:

Have a great one!..


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P.S…. :whistle:
No they are not done,:no: but they are so close I can TASTE IT!...:wink:... my boy and I will be going on a weekend wheelchair ridding spree this whole weekend, I hope to have 20 miles in the chairs come Monday.. Check back in Sunday night / Monday morning for the latest and greatest update on our 3rd world chair and how they both (did or dint) hold up!..


Have a great weekend every body!...

Shaun…

looking good bro, call my sister and have a gimp-a-thon with her and all your mutts and hers a dog walking on the strand lol

Thanks Sir.. I don’t like to take to long on any one thing, I’ve got to move them it along, I’ve got an electrical wheel chair coming from Jay for my next project.

Have a great one Chris..


That would be cool.. regardless have a great one Sir..


That’s Bitchen Jerry!... the $6,000 tag for the tracks put it out of reality but it does leave the door wide open for new ideas.. THANK YOU SIR…


Thanks SIR.. I hope it does change the world one person at a time… I did have a great time this past weekend in both of the chairs, they held up outstanding and I was able to learn quite a bit about reality (reading / planning and building) are one things experiencing / walking – wheeling in someone’s else’s chair really helped me understand everything else.. I’ll give a full report of this past weekend R&D in a few..

Thanks again for everything I deeply appreciate all of the help you have provided me with during this non RC related build..

You’re a true friend!.. thank you!..


Hhaaaa thanks Jay, I just might do that… I was down at the beach this weekend with chairs, the kids and the doogs and (DAM) waking a dog in a chair (at least mine) proved to be almost imposable.. HAHAHAaaaa it was probably funny for other to watch thou.. LOL.LOL..

Have a great week Jay..

Shaun.

The chairs look good Shaun. I like the yellow one, looks really slick. Have you tried any of the paint tests yet? Just wondering if anything I suggested worked? I have not painted much (if any) pvc and I may give it a try soon. My helper at work (Erik) is making a tennis ball launcher out of pvc, and i may have to give it a custom paint job (ghost flames?).

Anyway the chairs look great and i am sure that they will be a big hit, and hopefully open up oportunitys for the less than fortunate. Nice to see someone like yourself giving back!

So we shall see you rolling in 1 shortly, or am I out of line and need a beating

Not sure if you are out of line, but I am sure you could do with a beating for one thing or another...:lol:

Not sure if I could properly pimp a chair! I think that would e better left to Harold, as he is the para-pimp! A very ganster man, that is for sure!

Out of line???
 

Maybe not out of line, but James can PIMP SLAP you anyway. :rofl::lol:

Not sure if I can reach to IL from here... But if he comes closer I will give it a try:lol:

But???
 

But you just told him that you could see him, not to turn around. Now you ruined your paranoia facad.

You guys are all too funny!.. and all great friends.. :yes::angel:

Thanks for your time and comments.. :yipi:

P.S. :whistle:
YES (yell yes) James your advise worked out great!..:yipi: I've got a awesome protection layer on the chairs and they are all scratch proof and I owe it all it you!..:party::party: Thanks again.. YOU giver YOU!..:wink:

weekend update!..
 

Just a quick update on our chair build.. Well both are basically done (I still need brakes thou) but other than that they are good to go..

My kids and I spent more than 16hrs in the chairs this weekend and I’m haply to report that both held up to the beating we put them through. They were down at the beach, they were in restaurants, they went to the store they were every we went.. so I’m extremely happy to report that the main construction on both so far are / is a success..

I also learned tons!.. Examples:
The off road tires work great in all conditions and provide the end user with a softer ride. The mag wheels work best on hard surfaces (wood / tile floors) but they suck in the SAND and DIRT!.. so we wont be going with these for the 3rd world chair..

I also learned that I need to incorporate a more server angle in the back of the chair, for a more comfortable fit, I just feel a little to upright at the moment, but I’m not sure if that how it’s supposed to be..

I also learned that DAM it suck, I mean really sucks to be in these things, most of the places we went weren’t ADA accessible and it is a total pain to move around and find curbs that allow you / the user to access sidewalks, and shops, even the thresholds that were more than 1” were a pain to get over..

I also learned that DAM, it hurts the arms and elbow joints!, it takes a tremendous amount of upper body strength to wheel your self a few miles in a non electrical chair..

I also learned that people stare!, I mean they look and point (that or it was because) I was in a bright Yellow chair (LOL) I’m not sure but if your self conscious about it / your situation it just not right!.. But I did get great seats for the family at the restaurants.. LOL.LOL..

I also learned that walking my dog’s while in the chair is just about imposable.. and I really need to add a cup holder to both of them..

My kids absolutely loved them and they told all of the friends that my dad hobby is building wheelchairs.. Hahahaaa even they are proud of me this one.. so I know I’m on the write path..

I would really like to thank everyone who contributed to this unsual none RC build, for both allowing me the privilege and honor to take up your time with a non RC related project.


Have a great weekend everybody and here are some picture of the kids having a great time..

Shaun.



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I have been silently following these builds and I just want to say that you are an awsome individual sir, and everyone who pitched in to help you in this wonderful project. Like Homer Simpson once said:" If everyone was like you, we wouldn't need a Heaven, we'd already be there". Thank you.

Ray

WOW thank you RAY! :intello:, thank you for the kind words of encouragement, :yes: we've got some great guys here and I think there actions speak much loader than there words do.. :angel:

I really do appreciate your time and your feedback regarding this (unusual none RC related project).. :wink:

Have a great week and thanks again Sir..

P.S. :whistle:
If I didn’t say it before I’ll say it now!..:smile: Welcome to the MONSTER!.. I hope you enjoy your stay here!, I ways do!...:yipi:

about back angle: depends on the disability and user comfortability. adjustable is the ultimate, but if that's not possible a greater open angle is better than tipping forward(many spinal cord injuries paralyze triceps, and it is impossible for that person to push themselves back up if they leaned forward)

about using the chair: ha ha! welcome to my world. it is much smaller and more difficult than yours. You did hit on one of the two advantages to being disabled- good restaurant seating. The other- handicapped parking!:lol:

True that.
 

True that Harold, but those are two advantages I can live without. I do not envy you one bit for the struggles you have to deal with every single day Sir. I count my lucky stars evey day for the gifts that I have been given, and I try to share that sentiment with my kids now so they to can appreciate what we have. I spent over 20 years in the military voluntarily, and I still cannot begin to add up what I have done in compaired to what you have had to put up with involuntarily. I applaued your persiverance and drive for life Sir.

It sounds cliche but it took the adversity to make me who I am. Before my accident I was selfish, impatient and cocky. But even while living in a nursing home(hell on earth) I was grateful to have a roof over my head. (it was during hurricane Katrina) Life truly is what we make it, and you always have the choice to accept what's at hand and learn from it, or get emotional and go nowhere.

Good words of advice there Harold, for everyone! Maybe one day I can make it up to Minnesnowta and you can roll over my toes... And then we can have a good laugh and play with some rc!

Attitude.
 

Your attitude and your undaunted will is a good example for the rest of us. You seem to have good character Sir and I know I am happy to know you here on RCM. Keep up the good work young man. Now where is that SuperCyberMaxx that you have been working on? Have you got it up and running yet? I am jealous that you got your hands on one first scumbag.:na: Anything new to report?:whistle:

Questions I'm struggling with at the moment:
 

• Do I start a non profit organization (?)
• Do I open up a website dedicated for this purpose?
• Do I look for private or government founding (?) and where to begin the search (?)..
• What insurance (product liability, workers comp, state license, etc) would be required if and when we can find a home / need for them?.
• What you do think the game plan should be (?)
• Who do you think we try to reach out to first (?)
• Do you think I need to make another chair just to show others how it will be shipped in pieces (?) and what the end user will ultimately need to do to complete the chair ?
• Do I need to find a medical trade show, get a booth and show people first hand ?
• Do I contact the VA http://www.va.gov/ ?
• Do I contact talk shows (Oprah, Doctor Phil, ELLEN, the tonight show, etc)

(OR) do I simply give the idea to an existing agency and let them act on it as they will (??)


(For what it worth) here is what I've done lately to forward the cause..

I have applied for the documentation necessary to obtain a government grant here. https://secure.securesiteorders.com/...ovFundOWHT_opn

I've been researching the web and found that we have a program in place for such backing / support it's a non-profit Appropriate Technology International (ATI) institution in Washington, DC:, I think I need to contact them! http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi584.htm

I also subscribed to New Mobility Magazine http://www.newmobility.com/ I might as well learn what's upcoming and see / read about new trends, etc..

:whistle: I also have started a list of companies that I believe need to be informed of this 3rd world chair: but I need to gather there contact information, Do I need to put toghter a packet to send them (do email it out or mail) them a binder with color pictures??.. I'm hoping that in today's world of dome and glom a (feel good for humanity) will get it somewhere??

• CNN = http://www.cnn.com/
• ABC = http://abc.go.com/
• NBC = http://www.nbc.com/
• Fox news = http://www.foxnews.com/
• World news = http://www.wn.com/
• Unicef = http://www.unicef.org/
• United way = http://www.unitedwayla.org/Pages/default.aspx
• Popular mechanics = http://www.popularmechanics.com/
• LA-Times = http://www.latimes.com/

My initial thought was if I can get exposure to the chair than (they / the organizations) will find me (what do you think?) :neutral:

Thanks guys...

I was thining about that, not for profit would be good, but also isnt your wife Asian ? You could file for a woman owned minority business license. Then you have all sorts of government doors opened for contracts etc.

The more calls you make or the more letters you send out the more chance you have of scoring a sale or deal

Please tell me you have already submitted a patent package for this! I would hate for your hard work and dedication be stolen by some jack-n-ape looking to make a profit.

As the manufacturer I don't believe that you are required to provide any sort of protection to the people that use your product.

First things is first, get yourself protected and decide on a game plan. I would contact medical trade shows, ones that specialize in wheelchairs and dealing with the handicapped, as there are many different types of medical trade shows.

After that I would consider approaching State/Federal Insurance programs that would allow you to distribute your product to people in need. The government is always interested in saving money and by having low cost wheelchairs to distribute would be a good way to get both a good contract and get exposure at the same time.

These are just my thoughts and I look forward to seeing you go forward with this dream.

Personally.
 

OK. Personally Shaun I would say think very carefully about how far you really want to go with this, and how much work you want to put into it. I think what you started out to accomplish is heroic and noble, but just how involved do you want to be with this over the long haul? I would maybe think about approaching a local university, college, or even a high school with suggestions on how the student body could literally lift up the hearts of young men and women with disabilities. Not to mention of what things like this can do for ones spirit and self esteem. with your newborn idea and examples to to work from, asking if they might be interested in evoling what you have come up with and turning it into a student project of some kind for part of their educational studies.

Plus there is a realistic oportunity here for them to share a lot more time realistically for production of these chairs in the form of volunteer work hours. You would not only be helping with moving people stranded with mobility issues out of the closet(so to speak), but also providing young energetic, intelligent students with an oportunity to help out that same community, and gaining an education through the process at the same time.

Plus higher educational institutioins have privledges that open doors that are not open to other organizations and individuals. That could prove to be useful in getting funding for such projects, and utilizing chanles to distribute products that only they have access to. Using a whole student body as a launching platform could end up helping out a lot of people on many levels.

This is something that the media would get truly excited about just because of the student involvement. This is just a suggestion for another way to go, and maybe giving you a chance to move on to other things along the way, unless you have and want to contribute thousands of hours to. I am just looking at this from another perspective, and truthfully speaking a project of this nature and size can easily swallow up every minute of your day for years. I am not saying that this would be a waste of time, but think about where it could lead. If you get outside funding involved in the early stages of a project like this they will surely expect you to show a long and short range plan that is viable to their wnats and needs considering whatever money's are fronted for the project. Plus your goals will have to meet with their expectations. Just my 2cents Mr. TDC57.:whistle: