workbench designs for people in Wheelchairs

I've been volunteering at a retirement home, demoing woodwork and trying to get a few of the residents involved.
Typically I cut up pieces and prepare pieces that can be assemble/sanded/glued/finished by the residents
Most of the residents are quite elderly and disabled in one way or another and confined to wheel chairs or cannot stand for long periods so they have to sit down for most of the sessions

We have a conventional full height wood work bench that I use but it is completely unsuitable for seated operators.
We also have a couple of folding plastic tables which are pretty awful to work as the are too slippery, wobbly and the wrong height (too high) for people sitting down to work at.
Before I start reinventing the wheel on this, does anyone have any ideas/pointers/suggestions for how to go about making a more accessible workbench?

To hold work pieces we use clamps and/with bench hooks but I'm wondering if a dog system would be better. It certainly would be useful for the one handed residents of which there are several

Here's a start Bob....Cheers, crowie


http://blog.woodcraft.com/2012/01/th...odworker-shop/

At the local mens' shed we have a fold down table addition at the end of one of the benches. It lifts up and rests on two wings.
The chap who uses it just wheels his wheelchair in and does his work

Thanks guys. Would like to hear from any wheelchair woodworkers if they happen to read this.

If you have a look at my thread about building my bench while knackered, perhaps you could adapt the design, using laminated light pine sections, and involve the old folks in assembling their own bench? If the bench had 2 parallel light rails per side and end,(at the top end only), at a suitable height near the top for strength, there would be plenty of clearance below for a wheelchair.

The senior cit's might love to be involved and feel useful putting it all together? You could pre-cut the pieces off site and get them involved in glueing clamping etc?


Well done you, for your good works,:2tsup:

Cheers, Harry (Redbog)

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Originally Posted by Redbog

If you have a look at my thread about building my bench while knackered, perhaps you could adapt the design, using laminated light pine sections, and involve the old folks in assembling their own bench? If the bench had 2 parallel light rails per side and end,(at the top end only), at a suitable height near the top for strength, there would be plenty of clearance below for a wheelchair.

The senior cit's might love to be involved and feel useful putting it all together? You could pre-cut the pieces off site and get them involved in glueing clamping etc?
Well done you, for your good works,:2tsup:

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Thanks Harry.

One thing I forgot to add was that the benches have to be collapsible as the space we work in (one morning a week) is part of the care centre's maintenance workshop. The benches or tables etc have to be collapsed and put away for the rest of the time.

It would be great if the residents could participate, like when we made a shadow board for their tools. However, apart from perhaps applying a finish, I don't think any of the residents are physically able to be involved with bench size construction. Most suffer from medical conditions which means; they might not be able to speak, so they just come along and watch, or little or no hand strength or use, or only one good hand. Of the dozen or so residents that come along (usually no more than 6 or so come along at any one session) there are only two that would for example have the dexterity be able to, for example set up a small clamp, but larger clamps that would be needed for bench construction would be beyond them. The same two fellas can also drill holes for and drive small screws, but larger, or very small, screws are out of their ability range. These guys are in their late 80's and I will be very happy to have their hand strength at that age.

Bob wish I could help more.

I do work from the chair but it causes me some great agony during and after in the upper and lower back so I do it only when I must. I use my old workmate type fold up which had the clamping facility until recently when I replaced it with a solid Melamine top. This one was purchased through the Sam's Warehouse chain years ago and I have never seen it for sale since. The beauty of it was, height adjustable, angled adjustable to. I have seen similar around now starting at around $150+.
Of course these are often to light to remain stable when doing cutting etc or if someone were to lean on it for support it will tip.

The worst problem for those sitting in a wheelchair is position in relation to the work your doing at the time be it marking out, cutting, sanding or assembly.

Bob the best suggestion I can make is borrow a wheelchair and spend a day trying to work from it.

Why not something like this apartment workbench, but just shorter?

http://www.closegrain.com/2013/12/ap...workbench.html

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Originally Posted by MrPete

Why not something like this apartment workbench, but just shorter?

http://www.closegrain.com/2013/12/ap...workbench.html

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Some good ideas there. Thanks