Building a Better Wheelchair

Looks good. My only concern is the size of the casters your using up front may be a bit to small and may catch to easily on things, castors are a but expensive, but they are cheaper than a faceplant.

[BL_RV0]

[JERRY2KONE]

That all depends on wheater you are the one riding in the chair or you are watching. Plus it depends on whether you are close to the person it happens to. I can see the video showing up on youtube.

Originally Posted by Fast5sRevo88

Looks good. My only concern is the size of the casters your using up front may be a bit to small and may catch to easily on things, castors are a but expensive, but they are cheaper than a faceplant.

Originally Posted by JERRY2KONE

That all depends on wheater you are the one riding in the chair or you are watching. Plus it depends on whether you are close to the person it happens to. I can see the video showing up on youtube.

Your one sick puppy.

[JERRY2KONE]

Sorry about that. Somtimes my funny bone just gets the best of me. I am not trying to make fun of anyone, but even some guys in wheelchairs have a sense of humor. BUT have you not seen those videos of the wheelchair dudes doing stunts and tricks at the skateboard parks? They are even crasier then we are. All in good fun guys.

Originally Posted by Fast5sRevo88

Your one sick puppy.

[TDC57]

Well progress continues (but at a slower pace) I was able to find a seat today and some new casters, these are rated @ 300 lbs but they look a little small (?) they are 4”.

Also since it was late and the stores closed I had to fab up my on screws to attaché the seat the chair rails.

Once the seat went on, I was able to better determent that I had the foot rest too low and needed to raise the bottom up 6” inches.. this adjustment really helped in a few different areas, the biggest one is I was able to cut off 6” of the legs thus strengthening the front wheels system. Short PVC good. Long legs BAD!.. LOL.

I’ve figured out how to mount the rear axel but it’s going to take me about 2 hrs and just for kicks I’ll be installing wheelie / anti tip bars at the rear, (we’ll see how it looks) it might go or stay!??



Chair Questions:
• Does you butt sit lower than you knees ?? or is your lower body level ??
• I'm using 4” caster now should I go to 6” is there really a big benefit? I was pushing my kids around in it today (test pilots so to speak!) I know it holds at least 100 lbs.. HAHAHAhahahahaha.. and it’s seamed ok, it did have issues at the driveway from the street about 1 1/2 “ rise, is that common??
• Can you please look at my foot rest and let me know if it too low?, should I add a height adjust to it so I can have an adjustable foot rest?? If yes do I add (skateboard grip tape) to the tops so the shoes don’t slide off??
• How far from the chair are the wheels?? 2’,4”, 6” what??
• How high above the seat until the top of tires ??
• Do you think it would look stupid if I installed wheelie bars ??
• Do I build a self just behind the seat to store thing??
• Do I add an umbrella pole ?? do I worry about the heat / sun without any shade??

On to the pictures!..

[TDC57]

Comments???


Thanks for your time team!!! Much appreciated!..

[TDC57]

More questions:

• I'm working on the rear axle setup and I’ve always though that the chairs that have the rear tires with the negative camber was cool, but only a few have it ?? do I add it to this build ?? What are the benefits of it??
  
• Also do I add some lexsen on the side of the chair rails as protect the occupant from the tire spokes??
  
• The rear seat has the option of folding all the way down and adjusting up from there is this good or bad??
  
• What is the average size tire / rims on a chair??
  
• Can I just add the outer ring / rim to the bike rim or do I have to buy the whole rim that made for wheelchair tires??

Questions, questions, questions,,, Sorry guys..


Have a great Sunday!.

[_paralyzed_]

Looking great. First thing, lose the front casters, those look worthless, way too small, They will get caught or hung up on every little crack or rock, and especially in a third world with no concrete or pavement. 6 inch is good.

Questions:

-negative camber is for sports chairs, it makes turn in so much easier. on an everyday chair it only adds width, and you want to be as small as possible. the smaller you are the more places you can go

-you want some protection between the tir and passenger

-sounds good

-will check

- you can just attach it, I'll snap a pic of how they attach to mine later today

[_paralyzed_]

Just saw your first group of questions.

-butt is a lil lower than the knees. referred to as "dump"

-6 inch! huge benefits!

-adjustability is very good. people have favorite chairs because everybody is different, and how we fit in things and become comfortable is different. Any adjustability in the chair will greatly add to how many people will be able to use it comfortably

-as close as possible, this is where your lexan guards come in. on manual chairs those are called "clothing guards"

-no real standard.

-most chairs have wheelie bars

-storage is good, compact is better. if it fits..........

-if they're in a chair you have given them the gift of mobility, they will move themselves under a shade tree with a smile on their face

-keep up the good work!!

Although mine is a power chair i will give you the size of my tires. My drive wheels are 8" rim, 12" tire x 3"wide. Not real sure about my swivel wheels, i can hardly see them, but i would say they have about a 4" rim, 7"tire x 2"w

[TDC57]

Originally Posted by entjoles

this seat may be better on the arsssss

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...0064117018144a

also i want to commend you for doing something so nobel , and wish you the best with this build

Thanks Sir..

That chair does look like it will work. I’ve requested a catalog from the manufacture..

Thanks Sir, I really appreciate the help and kind remarks..

Have a great one.

Originally Posted by _paralyzed_

Awesome! Your mission statement couldn't have been put any better. As far as axle placement: It needs to be as compact as possible, yet the cog can't be behind the axle(making it tippy) so a lil trial and error may be in order to make it as small as possible yet stable. PM me if you need anything, I am your sounding board!

Thank Harold!.. Thank you for reading it and letting me it’s acceptable..

Your comments helped Sir.. (Big time) Thank you..

As for the measurements I think I have it all worked out (in theory at least) now it up the RD to see how well it lasts..

Have a great one Sir and thanks again for all of your help!.

Shaun.

Originally Posted by Fast5sRevo88

Looks good. My only concern is the size of the casters your using up front may be a bit to small and may catch to easily on things, castors are a but expensive, but they are cheaper than a faceplant.

Thank you!! for the advise and comments!.. I'm chagning to 6" IE you cost / the project another $15.00..

Originally Posted by _paralyzed_

Looking great. First thing, lose the front casters, those look worthless, way too small, They will get caught or hung up on every little crack or rock, and especially in a third world with no concrete or pavement. 6 inch is good.

Questions:

-negative camber is for sports chairs, it makes turn in so much easier. on an everyday chair it only adds width, and you want to be as small as possible. the smaller you are the more places you can go

-you want some protection between the tir and passenger

-sounds good

-will check

- you can just attach it, I'll snap a pic of how they attach to mine later today

Just saw your first group of questions.

-butt is a lil lower than the knees. referred to as "dump"

-6 inch! huge benefits!

-adjustability is very good. people have favorite chairs because everybody is different, and how we fit in things and become comfortable is different. Any adjustability in the chair will greatly add to how many people will be able to use it comfortably

-as close as possible, this is where your lexan guards come in. on manual chairs those are called "clothing guards"

-no real standard.

-most chairs have wheelie bars

-storage is good, compact is better. if it fits..........

-if they're in a chair you have given them the gift of mobility, they will move themselves under a shade tree with a smile on their face


Yeahhh Harlod!!!
Thank you!!!, Thank you, thank you!, thank you, thank you. Thank you!, thank you! Thank you!,
Thank you!!!, Thank you, thank you!, thank you, thank you. Thank you!, thank you! Thank you!,
Thank you!!!, Thank you, thank you!, thank you, thank you. Thank you!, thank you! Thank you!,


You’re the MAN..

Originally Posted by Fast5sRevo88

Although mine is a power chair i will give you the size of my tires. My drive wheels are 8" rim, 12" tire x 3"wide. Not real sure about my swivel wheels, i can hardly see them, but i would say they have about a 4" rim, 7"tire x 2"w

No that actually does help!. quite a bit! Thank you I was thinking about my BL chair and I was wondering what tires sizes are standard.. (Thank you!)..



A few more questions for the team!.

• Where is the wheelie bar located on the chairs and how far is the allowed tilt back before it works?

• Does anyone know where I can get cheep front bicycle dirt bike rims and tires???

Thank you all again for your time and help!.

Have a great week everybody!..

[TDC57]

Forward progress continues!..

So I spent most of the day today doing the Dad things but I did mange to work on the rear axel placement (that was a bitch!) but it did expose that I was off on a few of my measurements which is good thing!.. I’ve taken some picture of the rear axel layout thus far!, (still not complete) but you can now see what I'm going for! And your looking at gentlemen is a first, this is never been done before (at least ) not with PVC. What do think?? Will it hold up?? Did waste 4 yours on this setup for nothing?? Or will it work and be the next cool thing LOL.LOL…

Only time and your comments will tell!.. HAHAhahahahaha..


Have a great week guys and thanks again for all of your time and comments.. Please keep them coming..

Shaun.

[_paralyzed_]

Trial and error again on the wheelie angle. You want to be able to hold a wheelie and very little more. Place it for rigidity and effectiveness.

looking good. being constructed the way it is can possibly save a lot on shipping. send it unassembled with an instruction manual. every little bit helps

[TDC57]

Thank you Gee!!!!

Look what a kind hearted soul Gee is!, he sent me on his dime ( I owe you!) the following stuff (FREE TOO ME!) for the wheelchair build.. He’s such a giver! / the MAN..






FYI!
My parents are down for the weekend and my DAD is total excited about trying to weld the PVC tomorrow with me!.. He’s also bound and determined to get the rear axel on and working this weekend..

LET ME TELL YOU!!!
It’s extremely cool thou I'm going to be working side by side with my dad (whom I love and respect more than any other man alive, who made me in the Man that I am / hope to be) in my garage with my tools, on my project now, explaining / teaching things to him (a master mechanic for 40+ years!).

Guy,
You not only provided the build with something that I hope will grantee success to the project but you also were able to provide me with a one of not many left truly GREAT quality time moments with my DAD!!! And I can NEVER thank you enough for THAT!..

Thank you very much GUY!..

If you ever need anything please let me know!..


Shaun.