Wheelchair turning

[Darth Davros]

[Warning – long rambling post ahead!]

No not making a wheelchair on a lathe, well not yet No I am talking about turning from a wheelchair. After chatting to a couple of chaps last week at our local turning society meet-up they were asking about the mechanics of how I actually go about turning, I thought I would ask you chaps & chappettes the same question.
Now I’ve been in a chair for just over four years after a spinal cord injury, which resulted in a fused spine. I only started turning a year and a half ago so I’ve not had to unlearn any habits, but I have had to make my own chisels as my body would be in the way of a normal length chisel. I used some rather crappy skews & gouges to make three short length carbide tool holders which I absolutely adore. There are of course lots of techniques I am not able to perform, like moving the tool with my body etc.
So my questions are: Are there any other wheelchair users here? How have you overcome any of the various pitfalls of turning from a wheelchair? Are there any super-secret technique’s I could be made aware of?
(On a personal note don’t be afraid to ask any questions and nothing will be taken the wrong way, unless you start bad mouthing Dr Who in which case I will see you outside :wink: )

 

[Lons]

I've had the pleasure of watching Tony Wilson demonstrate several times and he's an inspiration. Google him but here's a youtube video Wood Turner Champion Tony Wilson - YouTube

There's also an organisation which might be of interest. Wheelchair Woodturners

 

[Dalboy]

We had a wheelchair turner give our club a demo last year (forgive me I forgot his name) he did say that he also had to adapt his tools to a shorter handle and had to work without the support of his body most of the time because he could not move around while in his wheel chair and the second thing that he found sometimes happens is if the tools become blunt and he has to push a little harder than usual his chair would move away from the lathe even with a brake on. He brought his own lathe because I was having a laugh with him about it not because it was cut down to suit him but due to His words "it is a frankinlathe because it was made from various lathes" a great guy who was well recieved by our club. Other than what I mentioned he dealt with the turning like any other turner

 

[Penpal]

I turn seated and found it most relaxing. I sit fairly high on a draughtsmans chair (swivel) with an open drawer for tools, the pen press at eye height sitting so I complete the pen by swivelling. When I started doing this I was completely able bodied many years ago. VicMarc Australia make a special lowered and tilted lathe for wheelchair bound turners.

Peter.

 

[wm460]

I would love to have a chair by my lathe, just the lack of room stops me.

 

[KevinMc]

I would love to have a chair by my lathe, just the lack of room stops me.

Just looked up Tennant Creek the name sounded great...... there must be 100s of miles of nothing around you and all you need is a bit of room for a seat at the lathe.. now anoying must that be...

Kevin

 

[silver]

[MENTION=1705]Darth Davros[/MENTION], glad to have you here.

trying to remember the guy that set up the wheelchair woodturners org, sure he was either on this forum or the old one I was a member of.

We have Bill Mooney on here for the partially sighted and works with guys from the blind veterans for Woodturnings.

So glad you have shared you conditions and experiences with us as it helps us all learn what we can all do to help others along the way.

As for Dr Who! Exactly Who?

 

[Bill Mooney]

My mate Andrew Hall teachs Harry who was in a car crash then had a stroke. Harry’s in a wheelchair & can only use his left arm. He makes Pen, bowls & other things. Andrew may be of help to you.
His website is below you should be able to contact through there.
If you have any problems with contact let me know & I’ll try to get you in touch with each other.
Home

 

[Phil Dart]

I've had the pleasure of seeing Tony Wilson demonstrate a number of times too. The thing that struck me most when I first saw him, apart from the unusual grind he puts on his tools, is just how incredibly mobile he is when turning. I realise that sounds ironic, given that he turns from a wheelchair, but it really is true. He isn't bound to one place whilst turning, and seems to move around his lathe with apparent ease and dexterity.

 

[wm460]

Just looked up Tennant Creek the name sounded great...... there must be 100s of miles of nothing around you and all you need is a bit of room for a seat at the lathe.. now anoying must that be...

Kevin