Thread: One-handed use for a disabled guy

Amputated just below the shoulder, and paralysed shoulder means I can't use the stump for much. I do however right a scooter one-armed so I'm pretty clever lol

I can use a jigsaw and circular saw with my one-hand. I would really love a tablesaw too as I want to create signs with my laser and cnc
Because of the risk it would have to a sawstop which I cn't afford

If you are missing the hand and have the forearm I can see that working ok. A method could be devised to use it for countering rotation and adding control. Same for if the hand is there: a type of fisted or permanent part-grip work-glove could be designed too.

Same with the Tablesaw, and as suggested, router table.

this is a good thread. It's an interesting problem.[/QUOTE]

Originally Posted by Bendigo Bob

That two handed spanner deal looks like the most vital thing to sort out. You should be able to do a test in store just to be sure.

I have to use two small spanners at once on my CNC spindle and have to use my teeth. Its very clumsy but I make do. Or yell out to my darlin two-handed Wife

Originally Posted by OneArmedGraphic

I have to use two small spanners at once on my CNC spindle and have to use my teeth. Its very clumsy but I make do. Or yell out to my darlin two-handed Wife

With your jaw, do you use some sort of mouth guard? Thats an interesting thing. The human jaw can grab pretty well, but you want to protect the choppers.

Whats needed is a scissor like tool for this. Slip it over and squeeze. This is essentially what I do with the under-table router. For the CNC people to answer: is there such a thing as a spindle lock on these beasties? Im thinking of how the Triton TRA001 puts a little bolt into the side of the shaft once its lifted a certain height that locks it. If the CNC spindle had a keyway or hole drilled into the shaft (without affecting balance) then this would allow one handed use. A small bolt could be inserted to lock its rotation. Ive seen this, but cant remember where yet....

Its obviously a challenge using the circ saw and router one handed, but in reality the circ is used that way anyway, so its a matter of clamping to hold things in place. I'd reckon you have that one covered - those new click-down clamps would suit perfectly.

Routing is a bit of a trouble. They can be jumpy beasties, especially when they get loose on you. Worthy of a good think, that one.

These are non-trivial questions I'd think. As the population lives longer and ages, hand strength, arthritis, certain brain issues, coordination and whatnot, plus a willingness for people to "keep it up" seems like designs shouldn't just be "accommodated" but actually considered and employed. Id say many of them would work well for everyday users too. (I hate using two spanners on the router, for example. Pure stupidity)


edit: I just had a look and read over your website. You have chosen wisely for CNC and Laser services. I'd wager there would be a heap of guys on this forum who would very much like to know you for services and embellishing their work. These machines are fantastically useful for selling, but most don't have the room or wallet to justify them (as much as they try!).

Let's have a bit of collaboration on this problem, it's a challenge and I like a challenge. The biggest problem is changing the bit so the router has to be held in a fixture but that fixture needs to be simple and quick to operate. The next issue is holding the button in but that can be the second problem. I reckon a fixture that has a over centre clamp to lock it might work, I can't draw this so maybe someone can work from words and do that. I would make a base that is screwed down and can't move, the router is tipped upside down and rests vertically base up on the base and two hinged soft wood jaws on posts or just one hinged jaw and a fixed one would then clamp the body and be locked with the clamp. The jaws just have to have 90 degree cuts in them sized to the body of the router. Perhaps someone else has got a better idea than mine???

The shaft lock is the next problem and I am still thinking about that, has anyone got any ideas?

Chris, your words gave me an idea for the CNC spindle. What is needed is a slide-in base that acts like a spanner, but rests on the bench. Just set the spindle at a height, slide in the "bench spanner" (which fits neatly over the spindle and socket/rebate where the upper spanner would go) and then just lock it to the bench top. The lower spanner could then be used one handed.

Next is fitting the bit in and getting that fitted to the right height. You'd need to lift the bit while simultaneously tightening the collet a bit.

Obviously big CNCs do this via magic grippy chucks, but the small ones dont.

Great work guys. Top stuff. My CNC spindle:

IMG_20170822_191034050.jpg

So yeah as suggested it seems to be accessible enough for such a Base thingamejig. Most clever indeed.

I think the button for the shaft lock could be a sprung loaded pin supported on a vertical from the base or perhaps not. If a solid pin was attached to a vertical from the base the router could just be positioned so that pin pushed the shaft lock into position when the router was clamped into the support fixture.

Doing a sketchup now. I think I have this solved. At least for the CNC anyway.

Edit:

OK, I think I have an idea. I realised that I made this left handed, but just flip it around.

Lets pretend you are putting a router bit into an empty loose collet.

-- Assuming the motor is at the right height
-- Using forefinger/thumb insert bit into collet
-- Lift up into collet
-- Using little finger, hook around back of stand a bit and move it a little over so the bit rests on the top of the base
-- The bit will still be loose in the collet, but wont drop down.
-- The stands base thickness will ensure sufficient insertion into collet
-- Move the stand over and engage the fingers into the spindles reliefs (I dont know what to call them, but the place youd put the spanner)
-- Clamp it down with the screw downs
-- Tighten collet

I tried to pretend to do this one handed and it seemed to work. Of course I have absolutely zero appreciation of the real difficulties, but I did try to imagine them plus keep it practical.

I used one of my holddowns (an incra) in a track and with two I couldn't budge a long board I'd screwed down, so Im quite happy that two clamps will provide unmovable fixture to resist torque.

The act of holding the bit and moving the stand assumes you have sufficient dexterity on you hand, which I can see from your site you do. It may be a little tricky to describe, but perhaps I could make a short video. I tested doing this in my drill press with a bit and it worked pretty well, so Im quite convinced this is entirely do-able.

CNC router stand (1024x691).jpg

I think the CNC is easy. Park it at the home position and push the fixture up to the spindle, four pins through the fixture base into the bed which could be done with the cnc to make sure everything lines up and the shaft would be locked. A MIG welder a few bits of plate and one spanner and it would take about 30 minutes to make.

Hi sorry I've been tied up testing my Laser machine and run out of time for a proper reply. I'm amazed at your resourcefulness and generosity. Tomorrow I'll take a better picture and/or video showing my current method and any other thoughts.

Chris is an engineer. He can't help himself. They are all natural problem solvers

On the router, it's not here yet, but this is worth keeping an eye on: https://shapertools.com/

It certainly matches your IT techno nerd setup!

BTW, keen to see your setup. I've been thinking about a decent laser and mini CNC for ages.

P1040981.jpg

CNC & Laser, below is a filter scrubber I built that uses 2-prefilter boxes and a final exhaust 'coffin' style box with a grow-room HQ activated carbon filter.
I built the workbench from a modified Kreg project plan. Used pockethole joinery and some blood sweat and tears.

P1050021-Pmano-Edit.jpgP1050125.jpgP1050143.jpgIMG_3736.jpg

close-up of ugly filter system. Laser cut the train this weekend for my little lad Olly. Kangeroo engraved onto Ikea chopping board. Was first actual engraving. A special moment indeed.

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This plastic pre-filter box failed miserably and cracked at the final step.