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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
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    Ipswich QLD
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    Default Anyone Bend & TIG welder Ali Sydney

    Hey all I have a problem and am looking into all ways of solving this urgently before someone including myself gets seriously hurt mainly me.

    Last Sept I bought a new wheelchair almost the same as my last one.

    In recent months I have come a cropper a few times going out of the chair as well as almost going fling and this Sunday just gone numerous times at Blue Mnts GtG including running over someones foot when I could not control the chair, knocking over Brets plastic storage boxes he was selling.

    The problem is axles are to close together short wheelbase situation where as these are trailing behind the frame I need them leading. That parts easy undo swap over.

    I went to see the supplier a major medical one and after 2 hrs of good service where they tried a few new foot rests and front castor change a satisfactory solution could not be found.

    just prior the technicians last attempt a female engineer got my dander up by claiming I shouldn't be swinging the foot plate back so far They don't have anyone who can alter or make a bracket to suit.

    Ok what was this doing well the design of the foot plates when swung back was disengaging the breaks .
    Images of me getting from seat to car and chair taking of down driveway with me flat on my aspect or back on the ground.

    Now to the task what I require is a a new foot rest frame made but it has to be at a slight angle greater than the ones I have and further out.

    here's the photo


  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
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    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
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    59
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    Default

    I'm willing to have a go (to a sketch or drawing - a bit far for me to travel) if no one else closer can help.

    Michael

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
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    Healesville
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    Default

    Wheelingaround, it looks to me that the front wheels could swap sides, that would put the
    caster spindle just in front of the front frame downtube.

    An adapter plate would be easy enough to make to move the foot plates
    further forward without any cutting and welding.

    john

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
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    Ballarat
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    Default

    Could you clamp a bar on the frame to act as a stop so the footrests don't swing back so far and disengage the brakes?
    You have got me a bit worried now Ray, I might have to see if my daughters chair does that.

    Phil

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
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    Oatley NSW
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    Default

    Hi wheelinround,
    I live in Oatley in Sydney, I would be glad to offer any assistance; the fix might be as John has said in making an extension bracket that can be bolted to the existing bolt points.
    Drop me a line or ring my mobile 0418699119 if I can help.

    Regards,
    Keith_W.

  6. #6
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    Jun 2007
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    Quote Originally Posted by Michael G View Post
    I'm willing to have a go (to a sketch or drawing - a bit far for me to travel) if no one else closer can help.

    Michael
    Thanks Michael your just tad to far away for test fitting I may how ever do as suggested by you for another matter TAD.

  7. #7
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    Jun 2007
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by shedhappens View Post
    Wheelingaround, it looks to me that the front wheels could swap sides, that would put the
    caster spindle just in front of the front frame downtube.

    An adapter plate would be easy enough to make to move the foot plates
    further forward without any cutting and welding.

    john

    John yep castors swpa is what we tried yesterday and of course thats simple and fixes wheelbase problem.
    Your idea of a simple ext bracket for the lock and tube ext at the pivot point is my thoughts also no welding then.

    I may have enough material to do just this as I have tube off the old wheelchair and some 6061 and plate alli from side of a tipper.

  8. #8
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    Jun 2007
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Steamwhisperer View Post
    Could you clamp a bar on the frame to act as a stop so the footrests don't swing back so far and disengage the brakes?
    You have got me a bit worried now Ray, I might have to see if my daughters chair does that.

    Phil

    Phil the new foot rest pieces were $180 for that i wouldn't want to be doing anything more as it is the chair cost $800 cheap compared to some I know.

    Phil when the technician saw what happened with break release he went straight away and tried it on their new wheelchairs out the back and he came back and said we now have a major problem. Putting a stop on could cause hassles getting in and out of vehicles although you could remove them first but I loo at it this way if I was to swing them back and I do mean so ever slight was the impact a gentle touch had the breaks off . The 2nd techie grabed new break set us to see if that would fix the problem worse. A consideration of a slight bend of the leaver was decided that with Ali it would rupture after time if not during.

  9. #9
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    Jun 2007
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    Quote Originally Posted by Keith_W View Post
    Hi wheelinround,
    I live in Oatley in Sydney, I would be glad to offer any assistance; the fix might be as John has said in making an extension bracket that can be bolted to the existing bolt points.
    Drop me a line or ring my mobile 0418699119 if I can help.

    Regards,
    Keith_W.
    Keith many thanks will be in touch

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
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    Default

    Well I just got off the phone with wheelchair supplier/importer (yes from Asia) and there is no quality control as far as testing goes till someone like myself has a problem. The workshop supervisor fitter and turner by trade (never really done any his words) agrees they were going for an over engineered replacement. This photo shows one of the type of brackets and foot plates they tried fitting the 2nd set were much simpler yet still disengaged the breaks. Can't find a photo of those as they were for the newest release of chairs. They agree the short wheelbase set up has got to be changed and some serious look at break handle to bracket placement this of course has to be put through channles and finally to Asia.

    The fellow agreed simple option is extend tube and lock plate.



  11. #11
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
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    Hi wheelinaround, I feel your pain. I have a mate in a motorized wheelchair, a new custom made one, had it not quite 24hrs when the footrest broke off. He rang the supplier and was told can't get anyone out for 4 days to look at it, anyway not 1 available in Aust, has to come from USA. He also gets the same response for other problems with his previous chair, the front swivel wheels, back rest, to name a few problems, from the so called service reps.
    Murray Bridge has quite a few disabled people, you would think that service would be on top of the list.
    Hope that you get your problems sorted out soon.
    Regards
    Kryn

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore View Post
    Hi wheelinaround, I feel your pain. I have a mate in a motorized wheelchair, a new custom made one, had it not quite 24hrs when the footrest broke off. He rang the supplier and was told can't get anyone out for 4 days to look at it, anyway not 1 available in Aust, has to come from USA. He also gets the same response for other problems with his previous chair, the front swivel wheels, back rest, to name a few problems, from the so called service reps.
    Murray Bridge has quite a few disabled people, you would think that service would be on top of the list.
    Hope that you get your problems sorted out soon.
    Regards
    Kryn

    Kryn thats just incredible I understand what those chairs are worth mine a mere $800 his would be well over $2k if not much more.


    There are wheelchair manufacturers here but a simple wheelchair like mine would cost twice if not 3 times the amount. If a speced chair like the basket ballers/rugby guys use then your looking at $6k+


    Well for those TAD fellows I just rang there No here in Sydney and I have to first fill out applications all reps/therapists are booked out for a week I don't require a therapist I require a handyman LOL. Sorry but at what point does RED tape and urgency of a matter.
    I just read on TAD's website of bikes for kids which cost $600 a piece yes these are specially designed to suit each child and we wonder why Disabled people are broke can't afford such luxuries when they have to survive on the little they get
    Sorry gents but I am phissed off this Nation calls itself the smart Nation well I say wake up before its too late oooops where is everything made.


    Keith_W has offered and I will take up his offer for help we have spoken now to get my act together.

    Ray

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
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    Default Tempory job done

    Its taken a few days as I have been fighting the flu but the need to get this done and me back to using a full chair again as over the next few weeks I do really need it for some social outings.

    My youngest son came over Saturday for a few hours and helped with making one of the lock plates, today I did the other still need to trim the bolts at the top back and fit a 3rd to the lock plate although this is sturdy and strong.


  14. #14
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    Default

    Hi wheelinaround, that is a very nice fix, glad to see that all is well now. It's amazing how someone else sees something totally different than how you see a fix. No welding or bending required.
    Regards
    Kryn

  15. #15
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    Thanks Kryn.

    It will be done as a complete unit and welded with new materials a little later on.

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