[TheForge] Kids and Wheelchairs

Thu Nov 9 12:10:55 EST 2006

I like the handicapped hockey sleds that I have seen,
this would a great idea for somebody to make if they
have kids hockey in their area.

Just a thought.

Jerry

--- "Washington, Aubrey O." <awashington at ou.edu>
wrote:

> 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....
> _______________________________________________
> Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
> theforge mail list group photo site is
> http://www.photoaccess.com
> <http://www.photoaccess.com/> 
> Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
> password:  anvil
> ___________
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
> theforge mail list group photo site is
> http://www.photoaccess.com
> <http://www.photoaccess.com/> 
> Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
> password:  anvil
> ___________
> 
> 
> > _______________________________________________
> Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
> theforge mail list group photo site is
> http://www.photoaccess.com
> Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
> password:  anvil
> ___________
> 
> 
> 