Shopsmith Forums

Just opened my new Dec/Jan issue (Volume 8/ No.44) of "Woodcraft" magazine and was struck by their four page article on suggestions of how to set up a shop to allow a wheelchair bound woodworker to work safely and successfully. Hopefully this and other articles will be a big help to some of us to help set up such a shop for others.

Any of us could end up needing such a shop with little advance warning...
That was on my mind when I made the decision to move mine to the basement. I finally decided that I could either put in one of those stairway lift seats or a small elevator. I have a closet at the end of a hall that I could use for an elevator. What I do not have is a good location for one to reach all 3 levels with one elevator. The upper stairway is kind of closed in and would not be as suitable for a stair seat lift.
When I poured the 12' x 20' patio across the back accessed by two big patio doors (back in the 1970's I was sure to pour it up so that it is a roll in/out and not a step. Then I filled the back yard so that it is flush with the concrete so it is wheel chair accessible. I have been looking at what it will take to make my new "hole" wheel chair accessible. It is just around the corner of the house from the patio.
We never know what might await us but we can think about in general terms and I try to. You don't want to morbidly dwell on it every day but consideration when making larger plans can, I believe, be fruitful.


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Depending on why you're in the wheelchair, getting one that lets you stand would be a better alternative.

Something like this one,

or