[TheForge] Kids and Wheelchairs

Thu Nov 9 12:04:03 EST 2006

Phlip,
I think both John H. and Grover are on the right track.  For kids, you mainly need a wide range of height adjustment and there are a lot of easy solutions for that.  For folks in wheelchairs, you need maximum flexibility because they come to you with a range of abilities and challenges.  Some have strong upper bodies, others do not; some can lean forward, some cannot;  some can twist to one side, some cannot; some can use both hands/arms equally, some are much stronger on one side than the other.  Safety is a major issue as Grover mentioned.

Make friends with an occupational therapist.  They have some amazingly creative solutions to obstacles faced by folks with disabilities.

Please keep us all posted on your ideas.

Aubrey

________________________________

From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net on behalf of Grover Richardson
Sent: Thu 11/9/2006 10:48 AM
To: 'Sponsored by ABANA'
Subject: RE: [TheForge] Kids and Wheelchairs

I have a brother in a wheelchair.  Leaning over is difficult for many, and
as you say, without bailing out.  You might consider hammering side saddle,
so to speak.  Have them roll up to the anvil on the dominant hand side, and
use long tongs to hold the metal.  You would need a sheet metal wall between
the anvil and the wheel chair to keep scale from jumping into odd places.
Remember many folks wheel chair bound can not feel below the waist and will
not know they are on fire until they actually see the fire (brother broke a
toe putting on a boot.  Didn't know about it until he took it off at the end
of the day and saw the carnage!!).

I have considered this for a while, though the brother (used to hammer)
isn't that much interested any more.  If it is possible to place a heat
shield between them and the forge, then they could heat the metal and hammer
without moving the wheelchair.  This is optimum.  Possibly an opening with a
pull down screen (counterweighted) so that there is minimum exposure during
heating times.

Kids, a metal stump with cross bars (like a bearing press) that would allow
you to adjust the anvil between certain heights, say in 3" increments would
be good.  I suspect that someone will say that a metal adjustable stump
isn't solid enough, and this is correct.  However, I use a metal stump all
the time.  If it takes me an extra hit to move the metal that is ok, because
for me it's more important to be able to tote and/or drag both the anvil and
stump for about 100 yards to set up at an event.  No, most event setups are
not that far, but some are.

If you want me to bug the brother about this, holler direct and I will get
his input.  He is a certified ADA inspector and works at a place that does,
I can't think of the word, working with the disabled, getting them together
with machines, and training them...

All the Best

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Saint Phlip
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2006 10:24 AM
To: Sponsored by ABANA; ArtMetal Sandbox; EKMetalsmiths at yahoogroups.com
Subject: [TheForge] Kids and Wheelchairs

OK, all, I  just got a piece of equipment that will help me set up one
of my dreams- a station that is height accessible for kids and folks
in wheelchairs. A couple days ago, a friend gave me the cutest little
leg vise, I've got a spare small anvil, so all I need now is a stump.
Problem is, I need to figure what height I want the stump. So, I need
a favor...

As many of you know, the "proper" height for the face of an anvil is
the distance from the ground to the knuckles while standing, the
reason being that that is the place where you can deliver your most
efficient stroke. However, that doesn't apply to folks in wheelchairs-
leaning over to hit your piece on an anvil at that height might risk
dumping them out of the chair onto their faces- not a good thing ;-)

So, those of you who are in chairs, please give me a height which
would be a comfortable height for the face of an anvil. And, those of
you with kids, please measure to your kids' knuckles that are big
enough to work on an anvil, but not over 5 ft tall, and give me those
heights. I realize that what I come up with will be a compromise, and
therefor perfect for very few people, but if I can come up with an
average, it ought to make smithing easier for our folks who aren't,
like me, in the 6 foot range.

Thanks,

--
Saint Phlip

Heat it up
Hit it hard
Repent as necessary.

Has anyone seen my temper?
I seem to have misplaced it at Stalag XXXV....
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