Unwanted creativity........

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Well guys......it finally happened.I've been nursing my lower back for almost 10 years. It just finally gave out and I go into surgery tomorrow morning. I took the last couple evenings to make something that will help with recovery. Don't laugh.....I was thinking ahead and remember, I'm a newbie at metal working. This project took many more hours than it would have if I didn't have to move at a snail's pace while making it. Mostly this contraption will help me from being a burden on family members as much.On a funny note, my 72 y.o. father said when I'm done with it that I should give it to him because he may need it in the future.The real trick here was assembly without attaching to any walls or cabinets.I look forward to reading any comments when I'm able.....(the doc said about 10 days before I'll feel like using a computer again.....much longer for the welding equip.)Timmer Attached Images
Reply:Nice idea. You may want to look into the "booster seats" they make for toilets. Handicapped toilets are frequently spec'd for older people and those with back issues. The taller seat height allows them to get thier legs under them so it's easier to stand. As silly as it sounds, when I went to replace the toilet in my sisters house last year I suggested she take the time and "test" the taller handicapped toilets first, before I bought the one for her. She's had major back problems after an accident for years and did find that the taller toilet helped her stand easier so thats what she got. Her husband then picked up one of the booster seats for her to use at my parents home for her, as she spends a lot of time there watching their dogs while they are away..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Sorry to hear about the back.Hope all is well soon.  Why didn't you want to attach it to the back wall?  Just a couple of screws there into the wall would help to make sure it doesn't tip or shift.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:I sketched up the "contraption" with the idea that I could design something that can be removed easily and I sort of took it as a challenge that I could make something that would also be free standing and rock solid. I looked at the metal parts and pieces I had laying around and came up with this. I used a bit of automotive carpet to pad against the wall and floor to prevent scratching. It turned out so solid and stable that I think a gymnist could use it like a set of parallel bars......its don't even wiggle.
Reply:Awesome design, that should be very beneficial during your recovery. I had major back surgery 20 years ago and would have loved to have had a deal like that. For three months I could only stand or lay down, so going to the john was quite a challenge. I had a removable body cast on for three months which I removed to use the john, so having those hand rails and some arm strenght to support yourself and you will do fine. I was out of work for six months. I know it will be hard not to try and rush your recovery, but listen to your doctors and hopefully you'll get back to 100%. the best of luck and try to enjoy the holidays.
Reply:Nice work! looks store bought. about 5 years ago (when i was 16, young for a broken hip haha) i shattered my hip in a downhill mountian bike race and i couldnt use the toilet by myself untill we went out and got booster rails very simular to those. I hope everything goes well and youre sparkin and arcin asap... just dont rush anything and delay the healing process (also something i did when i broke my hip). ill throw a prayer your way.
Reply:Good luck with the surgery.  Take your time with recovery, I'm pretty young but I've had some issues with ankles and knees and when the doctors told me to stay off my legs I didn't listen and now I can feel the pain.  Can feel the weather change before my grandma and I"m only 28!  Wish I would have listened and took my time at recovery instead of rushing to get back on my feet.   Hope all goes well and when the time is right you are back doing everything you used to.
Reply:Normally we would use "handicap rails" that were made with either stainless or chrome tubing and they were always anchored into the walls at about 30 - 35 inches. Your project is similar to a retail set that I have seen, however the retail versions are nowhere near that sturdy! Good luck in your recovery.  GBWYCity of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Looks Good to me...Plenty strong and sturdy.Good luck with the Surgery !Cheers,/J...Miller Diversion 165120 amp Buzz BoxVictor Oxy/Ace Oxy/LPGSmith "Little" Oxy/LPGHypertherm Powermax 30Lot's of Misc. tools n' crap....
Reply:I could have used one of those when I blew my left knee and ankle.I couldn't stand up without crutches or help.Hope the back surgery goes/went well.
Reply:The wife gives me enough kicks in the a$$ that my vertabrae stay in line...seriously, good luck with the surgery. Use it with pride, looks good to me.If you don't want to stand behind our Troops, feel free to stand in front of them.
Reply:Good ideaGetting up and down will be the least of your worries.  Using toilet paper when the back goes is a positive PITA.Good luck with the surgery, and a speedy recovery"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I made it. The surgery went well.....but after 6 days....the complications popped up. I was readmitted to the hospital and underwent another surgery to fix the complications. So.....this ordeal was twice the size as I expected. I've been home now for a few days and the "jungle gym" has proved to be worth its weight in gold. DSW.....the only change I'd make to this thing is what you suggested.......the seat needs to be higher. But Its working okay now......the arms can handle the "lower start".Farmersamm.........your comment was right on the money.........it is a PITA.Thanks for all the good thoughts guys.Timmer
Reply:Pay attention- one day we'll ALL need one.    Best of luck to you on the surgery.Lincoln AC225 & MigPak 140, Lincoln Magnum SpoolGun, Miller Spectrum 375-X Plasma, Syncrowave 200 TIG, Millermatic 252 MIG, Miller Digital Elite, General 7x12" horiz/vert bandsaw, 3' box/pan brake, 20 ton press, milling machine, 12x28 lathe, etc.
Reply:Heal up soon, amigo ........... glad to know those monkey bars are working as planned.
Reply:Getting up and down looks like you have handled.  Now you need to build a toilet seat with a built in pressure washer and a blow dryer instead of toilet paper! Maybe even add a little perfume squirt to finish things off.
Reply:Dem's are called "bi-dets", and some of 'em even squirt some talcum powder on your tushie .....
Reply:Best luck with your recovery.  If you can get that to go well, everything else will fall back into place!  Good thinking ahead, too!
Reply:jeese-that sucks about your back. I have a slipped disc and degenerative disc. Doc said I might need an op soon. So brother I feel for you. I know what it's like.On a lighter side: Your contraption looks cool. Can tell you did some thing outside the box.I can see it on TV commercials now: No need for permanant attaches--this baby is sooo heavy you  could not pull it away from the wall if you tried. As you back heals you can do parrallel bar dismounts when thru.merc
Reply:Update from Tim......Hello everyone. Well......here I am....back on my feet, but still moving slowly. Its going to be awhile before I get to weld. I feel better everyday....but still having a ton of pain. I have 60 more days of wearing a back brace (its a real pain to wear all the time). I can't wait till I can burn it with my torch! The good news is I don't really need my framework around the toilet any longer.....the bad news is I can't get down on the floor behind the toilet to disassemble the unit. Thats okay....it makes a great towel holder for the shower. Thanks again for all the good wishes.Tim
Reply:Hey, Tim .... glad to hear you're doing better.  Hang in there, bud ....
Reply:Originally Posted by TimmerUpdate from Tim......Hello everyone. Well......here I am....back on my feet, but still moving slowly. Its going to be awhile before I get to weld. I feel better everyday....but still having a ton of pain. I have 60 more days of wearing a back brace (its a real pain to wear all the time). I can't wait till I can burn it with my torch! The good news is I don't really need my framework around the toilet any longer.....the bad news is I can't get down on the floor behind the toilet to disassemble the unit. Thats okay....it makes a great towel holder for the shower. Thanks again for all the good wishes.Tim
Reply:he also said "the criple stool is the king of the pootin stools"git r done!    hope you get feelin betterRealgear 140 MIGMore DeWalt tools that I prolly needDIY 160 amp 40 OCV MOT Stick Welder
Reply:Larry the cable guy kills me. I've not heard the "power squeeze" joke tho........I think that happened to me while in the hospital! Thank god for pain meds.......I can't remember a thing when I'm taking them.Timmer
Reply:Resurrecting this old thread for my sake.  I may need to build one of these for a neighbor.The Lord has declared, "This is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man"  Moses 1:39Link: My name is John, and I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.-- ColdCreekWorks.com --Originally Posted by jdh239Resurrecting this old thread for my sake.  I may need to build one of these for a neighbor.
Reply:Nothing worse than a bad back. If there is...someone out there let me know what it is. Makes you hate yourself that you're a welder...where eveything is heavy. Not much styro or balsa in this business! Anyway, nice, rugged and great design. Being an avid reader...I would add a magazine table welded to a piece of pipe that you could slide onto one of those handles and lock with a lock screw handle once you swing it up into place. Hey, a beer holder could go on the other side...POVERTY...is the Mother of InventionMillermatic 211Millermatic 140Miller Thunderbolt XLArcOne 100STS inverter w/TIGThermal Dynamics 38XL Victor Oxy/AcetyleneJancy Slugger Holemaker IIJet 5x6 BandsawNever enough time & sleep.
Reply:BEFORE you use that for real after surgery, you should add a...(just kidding...looks great.  I hope you recover quickly from the surgery).  KevKevin / Machine_Punk from The Aerodrome Studio - Lincoln PowerMIG 210 MP - Meco N Midget w/custom welding station - Vintage Victor 100Current Projects: The Aerodrome Studio
Reply:it looks real sturdy and strong. that was a great idea. sorry about your back. hope everything gets better.
Reply:Came across this old post and decided to update it........Unique metal work. You can't see the 2 rods that the screws are holding.........but you can see the little "markers" (they look like little specks) they put in the rods so future doctors know there are rods there.Last edited by Timmer; 09-13-2014 at 01:08 AM.
Reply:goodluck to your surgery and hope you to get well so soon
Reply:Did you have a fusion done?Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer