Walt's Wakeboard - New Life For Old Wheelchairs

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Save the liability comments because Walt dares one to say "you can't do that".  Walt and I work for the same company and last fall he came to me and asked me if I'd be interested in building one of these for him.It was supposed to be a winter project but we never got around to starting the project until a month or so ago.Being a fellow 'recycler' and true to the cause, he had the remains of two old chairs hanging on his garage wall (the one on the left was his first) that became the base material for the project.  The bundle of 4 aluminum tubes from another guy at work weren't used as the old chairs furnished everything needed with the exception of a 9" x 40" x 1/4" aluminum plate cut from a larger piece salvaged from the scrap bin.After a couple hours of dismantling the old chairs and looking all the parts and pieces over, I came up with this.  Stopping over for a quick fit check one night after work it proved to be a 'go' and we determined the appropriate angle to and height above the board.Base plate cut to size and drilled for 'fine tuning' adjusting fore and aft and rear seat support tubes positioned for welding to the base.One of the thin wall tubing-to-1/4" base plate welds.  Not very pretty as it really challenged my very limited TIG skills.  Syncrowave 180 SD current set on maximum, balance at 7, argon at 15CFH, 3/32" pure tungsten, 3/32" 5356 filler used for all welds.  1/4" plate welds required flat footing the pedal.Stand by for post #2.Last edited by duaneb55; 06-25-2010 at 01:14 AM.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Balance backed off to 3 for some of the tube-to-tube welds.Seat supports fully welded to the base plate and everything else tacked for a final test fit that showed the side bars had to be rolled straight up for a tighter fit.Tonights job was to modify one of the original foot binders and attach to the base plate.  Binder has 5" of fore and aft adjustment for fine tuning as needed.  The 'seat' is from an old racing chair and all the tubing will get padding before the maiden voyage this weekend that should produce some intersting video.If everything turns out as planned this weekend on the water, the entire unit will get a media blasting so he can paint it up.Thanks for looking.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:The thumb screws stay as is for adjustments? Great work. It should be a blast. . Does it end up getting a skag?"The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:Nice project.I am tempted to jump on board which would EXCEED my specs. I think I would do it because it would be a ton of FUN.
Reply:Thanks Sandy.  With 4 sets of four holes in the board and 4 sets of six holes in the base plate there is a total of 10" of travel adjustment.  I did it that way as I have no idea where the seat will have to be for proper balance.  Same goes for the 5" of adjustment for the foot binder as Walt will have to adjust the angle of the foot on his prosthetic to fit flat against the board so we really couldn't get a 100% confirmation on where to mount it for the best fit.Skag is at Walt's house and will be reinstalled this weekend.I don't know who's more excited about seeing how it works - him or me!  I predict the back will either go completely or be modified to be lower as his normal position will be leaning slightly forward.  By using the original chair parts for the back mount it can be adjusted down so time will tell.  The back is actually one of the original foot rests.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Hey... That may be the answer to perfecting the tried and failed  "towing a skier with a long rope and Chrysler Imperial" trick.
Reply:Originally Posted by denrepHey... That may be the answer to perfecting the tried and failed  "towing a skier with a long rope and Chrysler Imperial" trick.
Reply:I like it.  I'm still stuck in a wheel chair, so I am way interested in how it works to say the least.  Put up some pics as soon as ya get em.  Both of my legs still work, just no power to stand or pull up, way neat idea to eliminate that.  I'm jazzed to see how it works.  Thanks guys!!!!, I needed a boost this morning from a bad day yesterday.BobI'm spending my Kids inheritance, I dont like him that much anyway!!!!!!Enuff tools to do the job, enough sense to use em.Anybody got a spare set of kidneys?  Trade?
Reply:Outstanding Duane! There's nothing like having a handy buddy around. Hope it works right the first try!Matt
Reply:You may want to consider capping off the tubing on the seat base.Keep the updates rolling in and let us know how the weekend works out.
Reply:Originally Posted by RbeckettI like it.  I'm still stuck in a wheel chair, so I am way interested in how it works to say the least.  Put up some pics as soon as ya get em.  Both of my legs still work, just no power to stand or pull up, way neat idea to eliminate that.  I'm jazzed to see how it works.  Thanks guys!!!!, I needed a boost this morning from a bad day yesterday.Bob
Reply:Cool, Thanks Duane,  I'm a memeber of the Handicapped divers association, and they reallly help when I get to dive again.  I'm hoping to get rid of the chair sooner or later.  The physical therapist is amazed at where I made it to so far, since it has been less than a year, and I aint givin up now.  Post up some pics of the test, it should be interesting to see!!!!!I'm spending my Kids inheritance, I dont like him that much anyway!!!!!!Enuff tools to do the job, enough sense to use em.Anybody got a spare set of kidneys?  Trade?
Reply:Nice project Duane, how about a video of YOU doing a few flips off the top of a wave on it?If you don't want to stand behind our Troops, feel free to stand in front of them.
Reply:Good job Duane!!! When I was younger I life guarded a sit ski competition for a few summers. It's an annual event and wheel chair bound skiers would come from all over to compete. Most of these guys were super athletic despite their limitations. The basic setup is as you built, some skis had a knot keeper so the skiers without enough arm strength or beginners could get up and pull the knot free after getting out of the water. All but the most strongest skiers used a drag person who stabilized and kept their head out of water until they got under tow and planed out. A boat with a chase swimmer would follow close beside and the swimmer would dive in to get the skier back upright if they crashed or at the end of their run. The drag person would either drag with the skier for the run if the skier was novice or be left to float in the lake until a boat happened by and could pick them up. Imagine my surprise while floating in the middle of the lake and the sheriff rolled up in his boat and offered me a ride... my first question was, am I under arrest? The sheriff couldn't stop laughing.The coolest thing about this event was that all the swimmers and dragger where required to learn how to sit ski. This ensured everyone would understand the what it was like to sit in the ski and trust a stranger. Each year we'd sit ski for the day prior to the event. Nothing like laying one of these skis over on a good cut being only inches from the water. I think I enjoyed the sit ski more that slalom skiing. It was a lot less work and every bit as fun.Last edited by forhire; 06-25-2010 at 11:59 AM.
Reply:Correction to a previous statement - Walt has participated in previous Texas Adaptive Aquatics Sports events assisting with the kids on shore getting ready to ski.  Just never skied with them.  He'll be attending an Extreme camping event next month as a volunteer counselor where TAAS also comes in for a day of fun on the water.forhire - Walt told me today he used to work with disabled kids before he had his accident over 15 years ago and he too had to do as you described by learning to sit ski to know what the kids had to do.Thanks Stan and there's no need to wait.  Here's a sneak preview of what I would look like on one of these things. MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:LOL,  I'd look the same on one. Give yourself and your buddy a pat on the back for being involved with the project and the organization!If you don't want to stand behind our Troops, feel free to stand in front of them.
Reply:Is Walt planning on putting a ski fin on this or use it as is? I imagine it could be fairly unpredictable without some type of fin.
Reply:Yup.  Walt took the skag off at home before bringing me the board.  Should be back on by now as he took the rig home tonight.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Originally Posted by RbeckettCool, Thanks Duane,  I'm a memeber of the Handicapped divers association, and they reallly help when I get to dive again.  I'm hoping to get rid of the chair sooner or later.  The physical therapist is amazed at where I made it to so far, since it has been less than a year, and I aint givin up now.  Post up some pics of the test, it should be interesting to see!!!!!
Reply:IM just curiouse has your friend ever tried a hydrofoil chair ?http://www.skyski.com/  basically the same thing but alot smoother
Reply:He knows about them Notthatlow and another guy at work has one but I don't believe Walt has ever attempted to ride one.This afternoon's trial run was only partially successful.  Walt had a difficult time maintaining side-to-side balance well enough to get the board up even with an adjustment of the seat rearward to keep the nose up and a swimmer to assist.In the water and getting ready.Brink M.E. assisting with the foot binder adjustment.After numerous attempts and a couple near succussful launches he had to come back aboard for a rest and his son (accomplished wakeboarder) wanted to give it a go just to see if we could prove the thing would work.  Show-off brought it right up and out first try.Had to have Cap'n Walt put us ashore so Mike (Brink M.E.) could go to work but I trust Walt will manage to conquer the balance issue and make a ride before the day's out.  He's promised video when he does and even though we have a clip of his son on the board I'd prefer to wait and post one with Walt.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:That's some innovative common sense stuff, and it worksNiceNow for the story...........Ya knew there would be a storyLocal VoTech had a career fair, or some kinda fair, more like a fairy fairSo yours truly, having nothing better to do (this was back before I met the nicest lady on the planet) goes ambling over there.Tons of booths with very sincere folks trying to convince you to either donate, spend, or participate.I ran onto a non profit organization that specializes in building contraptions for limbless farmers.  Gizmos to enable these doods to carry on their work.  Hoists, special chairs, etc.  Stuff for non ambulatory folks.I see a potential, and I'm interested.They wanted volunteers to fabricate some of the equipment.  I thought this is one hell of a good idea, and I have time to do this once in a while.  So I put my name in.Days, weeks, months, and now years have gone by...........no letter in the mail.The daily lesson learned..............................There are a lot of "non profits" out there that exist solely for the benefit of the employees of the organization.  These folks aren't really interested in "doing" a doggone thing.  They need "numbers" to justify the grants they receive.   A day with numerous "contacts" equals a grant renewal.  It's a good scam, and nobody is any the wiser.And there's still legless doods out there skidding around on the ground."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/