So I have a buddy of mine who is is not as mobile as the majority of us.
My question is, is it possible for him to be a wood turner in the normal
fashion, or should he stick to smaller projects, ie: pens ect?

I think a full size lathe may be too much for him in his chair, but I
may be wrong? I have been prodding him to find himself some more hobbies and
he already loves to work with wood, so I thought this may be a natural
transaction. I just would like to know what you other wood turners may think
before I push too hard for him to take this up?

Tim

Hi Tim,
I personally think that anyone with desire, determination and will,
should persue whatever their goal or mind is set to. It is better to have
tried and failed than to have never tried and always wondering ( could I
have done that). I think that if you were to look into a turning club, you
may find that they would welcome giving him a try at a larger machine, so as
not to make the large investment and he could also get a lot of info before
hand. This individual may just become as astute at woodturning larger
projects and perhaps as famous as Ray Allen.

BTW you can adapt anything for a disabled individual.
Hope it works out, as he already knows, it's wonderful therapy for the mind
and soul.
Good Luck and hope to see some of his future work on
alt.binaries.pictures.woodworking
Richard O'
"Tim" wrote in message
...
So I have a buddy of mine who is is not as mobile as the majority of
us.
My question is, is it possible for him to be a wood turner in the normal
fashion, or should he stick to smaller projects, ie: pens ect?

I think a full size lathe may be too much for him in his chair, but I
may be wrong? I have been prodding him to find himself some more hobbies
and
he already loves to work with wood, so I thought this may be a natural
transaction. I just would like to know what you other wood turners may
think
before I push too hard for him to take this up?

Tim

Tim:

Several years ago, John Nichols was building lathes (BIG LATHES)
specifically for disabled turners. I remember seeing him demonstrating
from a wheel chair. Unhappily John is no longer building machines but I
think that he proved that there would be a market and that a disability
frequently means only that the person needs to work harder or
differently to accomplish a task.

Bill

Tim wrote:
So I have a buddy of mine who is is not as mobile as the majority of us.
My question is, is it possible for him to be a wood turner in the normal
fashion, or should he stick to smaller projects, ie: pens ect?

I think a full size lathe may be too much for him in his chair, but I
may be wrong? I have been prodding him to find himself some more hobbies and
he already loves to work with wood, so I thought this may be a natural
transaction. I just would like to know what you other wood turners may think
before I push too hard for him to take this up?

Tim

Tim.

I am not permanently disabled, but I've had some trouble with my right
foot that makes it difficult for me to stand for long periods of time.
As a consequence, I do a lot of my turning while sitting on a shop
stool with a rotating seat.

This works fairly well, but it is not ideal. For one thing you're
forced often to use your arms in awkward ways where you would normally
use your whole body. For example, long sweeping cuts into a bowl are
difficult. so I often do stand up to make certain cuts.

Be that as it may, I think it would not be impossible at all for your
friend to turn at a full size lathe. In fact I think the major
consideration is being able to sit close enough to the work to have
sufficent leverage for large-scale turning. Perhaps a lathe with a
stand that allows his chair to slide part of the way under the lathe
bed would help.

Martin Cohn


Tim wrote:
So I have a buddy of mine who is is not as mobile as the majority of
us.
My question is, is it possible for him to be a wood turner in the
normal
fashion, or should he stick to smaller projects, ie: pens ect?

I think a full size lathe may be too much for him in his chair,
but I
may be wrong? I have been prodding him to find himself some more
hobbies and
he already loves to work with wood, so I thought this may be a
natural
transaction. I just would like to know what you other wood turners
may think
before I push too hard for him to take this up?

Tim

wrote in message
oups.com...
Tim.

I am not permanently disabled, but I've had some trouble with my right
foot that makes it difficult for me to stand for long periods of time.
As a consequence, I do a lot of my turning while sitting on a shop
stool with a rotating seat.

This works fairly well, but it is not ideal. For one thing you're
forced often to use your arms in awkward ways where you would normally
use your whole body. For example, long sweeping cuts into a bowl are
difficult. so I often do stand up to make certain cuts.


That's the real difference, I think. According to disability, your friend
may not be able to employ the invaluable "body English" that makes some cuts
easier. That, and the fact that a lot of tools have exceptionally long
handles may pose a problem for him, though with spindle technique, even
bowls can be cut with short-handled tools. Not sure if I'd suggest a
rotating or sliding headstock. Probably rotating, as it demands less floor
space.

George wrote:
That's the real difference, I think. According to disability, your friend
may not be able to employ the invaluable "body English" that makes some cuts
easier. That, and the fact that a lot of tools have exceptionally long
handles may pose a problem for him, though with spindle technique, even
bowls can be cut with short-handled tools. Not sure if I'd suggest a
rotating or sliding headstock. Probably rotating, as it demands less floor
space.

I've been giving that some thought and I think there's a solution
if someone is interested in picking it up and running with it. A
bolt-onto-the lathe-bench, dual-tracked bar system that allows a
chair (cycolac or whatever) to ride along the track and pivot at
the same time. That would allow the sweeping moves and the
changes in angle of attack that are required to easily do the
turning. It isn't a very complicated thing to setup and shouldn't
be very expensive, but is far better than merely placing a
wheelchair in front of a lathe.

Just a thought,
Dave in Fairax
--
Dave Leader
reply-to doesn't work
use:
daveldr at att dot net
American Association of Woodturners
http://www.woodturner.org
Capital Area Woodturners
http://www.capwoodturners.org/
PATINA
http://www.Patinatools.org/

From memory...

It seems to me that the Nichols lathe designed for wheel chair bound
turners had the top surface of the ways tilted toward the turner rather
than horizontal. I also seem to remember that the tailstock lock down
and the banjo lock down were operated hydraulically.

Bill

wrote:
Tim.

I am not permanently disabled, but I've had some trouble with my right
foot that makes it difficult for me to stand for long periods of time.
As a consequence, I do a lot of my turning while sitting on a shop
stool with a rotating seat.

This works fairly well, but it is not ideal. For one thing you're
forced often to use your arms in awkward ways where you would normally
use your whole body. For example, long sweeping cuts into a bowl are
difficult. so I often do stand up to make certain cuts.

Be that as it may, I think it would not be impossible at all for your
friend to turn at a full size lathe. In fact I think the major
consideration is being able to sit close enough to the work to have
sufficent leverage for large-scale turning. Perhaps a lathe with a
stand that allows his chair to slide part of the way under the lathe
bed would help.

Martin Cohn


Tim wrote:

So I have a buddy of mine who is is not as mobile as the majority of

us.

My question is, is it possible for him to be a wood turner in the

normal

fashion, or should he stick to smaller projects, ie: pens ect?

I think a full size lathe may be too much for him in his chair,

but I

may be wrong? I have been prodding him to find himself some more

hobbies and

he already loves to work with wood, so I thought this may be a

natural

transaction. I just would like to know what you other wood turners

may think

before I push too hard for him to take this up?

Tim

wrote:
Tim.

I am not permanently disabled, but I've had some trouble with my right
foot that makes it difficult for me to stand for long periods of time.
As a consequence, I do a lot of my turning while sitting on a shop
stool with a rotating seat.

In one of our labs we used to have wheeled stool with a back rest. Don't
know where to find them now. Could actually make a "raking" motion
easier. :-)


This works fairly well, but it is not ideal. For one thing you're
forced often to use your arms in awkward ways where you would normally
use your whole body. For example, long sweeping cuts into a bowl are
difficult. so I often do stand up to make certain cuts.

Be that as it may, I think it would not be impossible at all for your
friend to turn at a full size lathe. In fact I think the major
consideration is being able to sit close enough to the work to have
sufficent leverage for large-scale turning. Perhaps a lathe with a
stand that allows his chair to slide part of the way under the lathe
bed would help.

Martin Cohn


Tim wrote:

So I have a buddy of mine who is is not as mobile as the majority of

us.

My question is, is it possible for him to be a wood turner in the

normal

fashion, or should he stick to smaller projects, ie: pens ect?

I think a full size lathe may be too much for him in his chair,

but I

may be wrong? I have been prodding him to find himself some more

hobbies and

he already loves to work with wood, so I thought this may be a

natural

transaction. I just would like to know what you other wood turners

may think

before I push too hard for him to take this up?

Tim



--
Will
Occasional Techno-geek

In the UK at my club (Wight Woodturners) we had the pleasure of seeing
Tony Wilson demonstrate from his wheelchair. Apart from having a
Hegner lathe reduced in height and extra wheels fitted to the front of
his chair (To stop it tipping forwards) he was able to hold the group
enthralled for several hours.

Another alternative I have seen was a swivelling stool fixed under the
centre point of the headstock for the turner and athletics rings
hanging from the ceiling to allow the turner to raise himself into the
seat.

Possible ideas?

Regards,
Peter Charles Fagg
Freshwater, Isle of Wight,
United Kingdom.
www.petersplatters.co.uk
Each can do but little!
But if each DID that little,
ALL would be done!

In article ,
"Tim" wrote:

So I have a buddy of mine who is is not as mobile as the majority of us.
My question is, is it possible for him to be a wood turner in the normal
fashion, or should he stick to smaller projects, ie: pens ect?

I think a full size lathe may be too much for him in his chair, but I
may be wrong? I have been prodding him to find himself some more hobbies and
he already loves to work with wood, so I thought this may be a natural
transaction. I just would like to know what you other wood turners may think
before I push too hard for him to take this up?

Tim

I have a friend that has a full workshop, all set for his chair
height. A lathe, Table Saw, Jointer, etc. He does great work, anything
from pens to arrows to....

--
--------------------------------------------------------
Personal e-mail is the n7bsn but at amsat.org
This posting address is a spam-trap and seldom read
RV and Camping FAQ can be found at
http://www.ralphandellen.us/rv

On Sat, 19 Feb 2005 02:06:57 GMT, "Tim" wrote:

So I have a buddy of mine who is is not as mobile as the majority of us.
My question is, is it possible for him to be a wood turner in the normal
fashion, or should he stick to smaller projects, ie: pens ect?

I think a full size lathe may be too much for him in his chair, but I
may be wrong? I have been prodding him to find himself some more hobbies and
he already loves to work with wood, so I thought this may be a natural
transaction. I just would like to know what you other wood turners may think
before I push too hard for him to take this up?

Tim

I picture something like a Jet Mini, mounted on a table like the ones you est
off of in a hospital bed..

You could use it standing or sitting, move around it or have it move around
you... adjustable height could be pump, crank or electric?

Some cuts or angles might be difficult, but so is life adapting to a handicap..
if he has a "give in, not up" (Chuck Yeager) attitude, he'll find lots of things
that he can enjoy making on the lathe..


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Hi Tim, good post & thread. We need to revisit this aspect of the
turning life often.

For years kitchens, baths and boats have been designed for use by the
disabled. There may be some expertise available there. Also occupational
therapists and even OSHA might possibly offer some ideas. I'm sure Lyn
M. could help you or aim you toward a source. Handles, levers,
switches, and sophisticated feedback elements come to mind.

Hi Dave, You have have gone beyond a travelling steady or captured tool
shank system or tool gate and invented a way to put people in them.
(in no way meaning to make fun of disabilities, not with my advanced
spinal stenosis) Did I hear someone say... "and cerebral stenosis!"


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter



http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

Hi Tim

I had a cervical (neck) spinal cord injury 10 years ago. This left me with
Paralysis of my left arm, left leg and loss of sensation on my right leg.
I was an engineer before my injury, so i am comfortable & respectful around
machinery Lathes, bandsaws etc. I have been turning for Two years now. It
just takes some forethought! I built a work bench at the height of a gas
operated office chair. On my bench i put my lathe, bench grinder(with
sharpening system) & my bandsaw. I can propel my self with my R/leg along my
bench to each machine. I can also sit in my wheelchair at the bench, as the
height is such that my knees are safely under the bench. I have limited use
in my left hand,but my right is good. I don't find any restrictions when
using chisels. It is just a matter of body position before you get started.
I also have a full sized lathe. What's important, is that the head stock can
be rotated. Mine can be rotated and locked at 60,90,180 degrees. This
enables the user to keep good posture without having to lean unnaturally.
Without knowing his background or his disability, it is hard to know what to
recommend. But when you have a disability you always find a way to do
things.
If it would help, you or your friend can e-mail me. I can send photos of my
setup.

Richard
remove 'staples' to e-mail me.

"Arch" wrote in message
...
Hi Tim, good post & thread. We need to revisit this aspect of the
turning life often.

For years kitchens, baths and boats have been designed for use by the
disabled. There may be some expertise available there. Also occupational
therapists and even OSHA might possibly offer some ideas. I'm sure Lyn
M. could help you or aim you toward a source. Handles, levers,
switches, and sophisticated feedback elements come to mind.

Hi Dave, You have have gone beyond a travelling steady or captured tool
shank system or tool gate and invented a way to put people in them.
(in no way meaning to make fun of disabilities, not with my advanced
spinal stenosis) Did I hear someone say... "and cerebral stenosis!"


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter



http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

"Tim" wrote in message
...
So I have a buddy of mine who is is not as mobile as the majority of
us. My question is, is it possible for him to be a wood turner in the
normal fashion, or should he stick to smaller projects, ie: pens ect?

I think a full size lathe may be too much for him in his chair, but I
may be wrong? I have been prodding him to find himself some more hobbies
and he already loves to work with wood, so I thought this may be a natural
transaction. I just would like to know what you other wood turners may
think before I push too hard for him to take this up?

Tim
==========================
Tim,
In the Spring of 2000, I developed a neurological condition that affected my
entire body, but specifically attacked the Quadricep muscle in my right leg.
Lost 125 pounds (325 to 200), and completely lost use of my right leg. Went
from healthy to wheel chair over a about a 4 month period. I was a turner
before all this started, so as soon as my physical therapy allowed me to get
to my shop and sit on a stool without sprawling on the floor, I got started
again. Still spend most of my time in the wheel chair, but I've regained
some function. Some things you need to know:

1. Turning residue is a problem, since small wheels tend to stop
you --suddenly! So position a shop vacuum close at hand and clean your
movement path often.

2. You need a stand or bench that allows your knees to go under without
interference, but it needs to be very close to your lap height -wise, to get
the lathe down as low as possible. Either raise the chair on a platform or
lower the bench/stand.

3. Table top to spindle center distance is critical if you are going to
operate the lathe in a "normal" configuration from a wheel chair ! You need
a lathe with the motor behind the headstock, not under it, as this loses a
lot of valuable working area. Most turners will tell you spindle center
should be at or near elbow height. For most seated people, elbow height is
only 4-6 inches above their lap. This means you'll need a small lathe or
adapt youself.

4. If you can get on a stool, you can turn "side saddle". Depending on
spindle height, you may have to learn to turn "side-arm"(elbow elevated and
away from your body).

5. You won't be able to do the "turner's sway", so you'll need to take
lighter cuts with attention to cutting angles to prevent monster catches and
poor surface quality (but you should do that anyway :-)).

6. If you want to go to a big lathe, you'll probably need to build a bench
or big heavy streel stand with a sloped top that will allow the head stock
to tilt toward you. Rember all the dynamic forces that go with big pieces
turning on big lathes, and remember that these forces aren't going to be
transmitted directly thru the normal direction the lathe was designed for.

7. My current lathe is a Jet 1236 clone. (Original was a Sears monotube)
Both have advantageous base to spindle centerline distance.
I used the Sears on a bench top, 3/4 MDF over 3/4 CDX plywood. I'm using the
Jet clone on the factory stand that has been mounted on a plywood base. A
platform is needed to raise my chair up close under the front of the stand.
( Be sure if you use a platform you have a rail to prevent the chair
accidently backing off.) The stand back and ends are re-enforced with 3/4
plywood. This set-up with the rotating headstock allows pretty good access
and the vibration has lessened since adding the plywood, especially if the
piece is cut to near balance state on the bandsaw.

There are some other things that would have to be considered on a case by
case situation.

Hope this helps.

Ken Moon
Webberville, TX

Hi Tim

It took me a while to reply to your query, I have been trying to put
myself in a position where I sit in a chair and do some wood turning,
and I think there are a few ways that your friend could do some turning.
If one would use a office desk or some setup like that, where the desk
is low enough, and the chair can be wheeled up against it, his legs
under, and so that a small lathe like a Jet mini could sit right close
to him, he would be able to turn al kinds of spindle stuff, like pens,
bottle stoppers, pepper grinders, tops, whistles, etc., the list is endless.
For bowls and hollow turning, it would be more of a challenge, but a
small lathe that can have the head stock on the end and the end of the
lathe facing him, he should be able to make a go of it.
On and off switches can be had to use with power tools, I myself turn on
the end of my lathe mostly and use a air powered switch, the tool plugs
into it and by pressing a air bulb you turn on and off the power, the
air bulb is connected by a plastic hose so there is no danger with
electric wires, Lee Valley carries them, I have one on my lathe at least
5 years and never had a problem yet.
Anyway, the biggest problem I can see is to get the lathe low enough so
that he can use his arm and upper body to control the tools.

Have fun and take care
Leo Van Der Loo

Tim wrote:

So I have a buddy of mine who is is not as mobile as the majority of us.
My question is, is it possible for him to be a wood turner in the normal
fashion, or should he stick to smaller projects, ie: pens ect?

I think a full size lathe may be too much for him in his chair, but I
may be wrong? I have been prodding him to find himself some more hobbies and
he already loves to work with wood, so I thought this may be a natural
transaction. I just would like to know what you other wood turners may think
before I push too hard for him to take this up?

Tim

Thank you very much everybody for all the info that has been presented
here. I had no idea how many options there really were for him. I will put
forth all the info to him that I have so far and see what we can come up
with.

Thanks again for your kindness.

Tim




"Leo Van Der Loo" wrote in message
...
Hi Tim

It took me a while to reply to your query, I have been trying to put
myself in a position where I sit in a chair and do some wood turning, and
I think there are a few ways that your friend could do some turning.
If one would use a office desk or some setup like that, where the desk is
low enough, and the chair can be wheeled up against it, his legs under,
and so that a small lathe like a Jet mini could sit right close to him, he
would be able to turn al kinds of spindle stuff, like pens, bottle
stoppers, pepper grinders, tops, whistles, etc., the list is endless.
For bowls and hollow turning, it would be more of a challenge, but a small
lathe that can have the head stock on the end and the end of the lathe
facing him, he should be able to make a go of it.
On and off switches can be had to use with power tools, I myself turn on
the end of my lathe mostly and use a air powered switch, the tool plugs
into it and by pressing a air bulb you turn on and off the power, the air
bulb is connected by a plastic hose so there is no danger with electric
wires, Lee Valley carries them, I have one on my lathe at least 5 years
and never had a problem yet.
Anyway, the biggest problem I can see is to get the lathe low enough so
that he can use his arm and upper body to control the tools.

Have fun and take care
Leo Van Der Loo

I can't stand up for more than a couple minutes at at ime. I still turn and
make furniture. granted, I'm a lot slower than before, but I can still do
everything I did before my injury. I do have an assistant to help me move
around big lumber (into the planer, SCMS, etx), but once the stuff is more
or less dimensioned, I just hold it in my lap and wheel it to where I need
it...

--JD



"Tim" wrote in message
...
So I have a buddy of mine who is is not as mobile as the majority of
us.
My question is, is it possible for him to be a wood turner in the normal
fashion, or should he stick to smaller projects, ie: pens ect?

I think a full size lathe may be too much for him in his chair, but I
may be wrong? I have been prodding him to find himself some more hobbies
and
he already loves to work with wood, so I thought this may be a natural
transaction. I just would like to know what you other wood turners may
think
before I push too hard for him to take this up?

Tim

I have Muscular Dystrophy, it is just starting to affect my legs and arms. I
too have problems with the big stuff but my wife helps me. I am using a Jet
Mini now but I am thinking of switching to a bigger lathe as when I do get
into my wheelchair (powered seat) it will be easier to bet closer to the
lathe.

--
Dennis Day

425-345-9901