Disability

[SiddleyParticipant @siddley]

I had a pretty apocalyptic bike crash 15 years ago and wasn't expected to walk again afterwards. I did walk again, but that and a fairly 'exciting' lifestyle have left me with all kinds of joint problems and aches and pains.

I have a few issues in the workshop, most of which could probably be solved by getting a bar stool so I can sit down when using the lathe and mill. The remainder would be solved if I just worked until I was a little tired, rather than carrying on until I suddenly realise I'm exhausted…

How do other people with physical problems cope ? what clever ideas do you have to keep you at your machines ?

[SiddleyParticipant @siddley]

Ways of coping ?

[David LittlewoodParticipant @davidlittlewood51847]

You have my sympathies. I was unfortunate enough to lose a leg about 4 years ago. The occupational therapist was very helpful, and provided me with a pair of perching stools which are ideal for the job. Like bar stools, they are quite tall, but the seat is just slightly angled forward and they have short rails at the sides (to assist atanding up) and at the back (for security). PM me if you would like more details.

Like you, I find it limits the time I can work, especially standing, and it has steered me into doing more light work, such as O gauge loco modelling which I can mostly do sitting down. I can though still work standing up when I need to, but try to restrict it to half an hour or so, then go and have a sit and a cup of coffee (or bunk off and play a comuter game!).

I wish you luck though.

David

Edited By David Littlewood on 07/12/2012 01:08:45

[Philip RoweParticipant @philiprowe13116]

I too suffer with similar problems, although mine are spinal related but the end problem is the same not being able to stand for a period of more than a few minutes. Like David I now concentrate on smaller model engineering, garden railways to be precise where a lot of my work can be carried out sitting down.
Inevitably, it is not possible to sit to do everything, working at the lathe I find has to be done standing up limiting my activities at the lathe according to my discomfort/pain levels. I have tried a bar stool, but I find that it puts you too far back from the machine to comfortably see what you are doing. However I do find the bar stool is fine for working at the mill and drilling machines.
Having seen David's comments about his stool having a sloping seat is an idea that I think is worth while trying out.
I wish you well with your endeavors.

Phil

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

I have seen Ergonomic stools that are the other way round and you straddle them as you would on a horse and you support yourself with your legs/feet under a bar. they were quite common where I worked with at least three people using them all day !

One chap I know had spinal impact from being on a boat for some time and having been bounced about which squashed the pads in his spine around L4 and L5 vertebra. He found these seats beneficial.

Clive

[David LittlewoodParticipant @davidlittlewood51847]

Clive, I have seen those straddling seats as well, though I have never tried one. I think they would be OK for desk work, but I'm not sure how they would be for operating machinery. Has anyone tried them for this? In earlier years (bipedal but with very simlar problems from a squashed disc) I very often used to sit on chairs with the back forward and me leaning forward on it. It seemed to ease the discomfort, but caused the occasional funny look at meetings.

David

[SiddleyParticipant @siddley]

Thanks for the kind words chaps. I've been a lot better since I emigrated to a dry warm climate ( although it's not so warm today ! )

It's very handy to know that a bar stool has it's limitations, I'd love to see a picture of a both a 'perch' and a 'straddling' stool – my woodworking skills don't extend much beyond gun stocks but I could probably make one, or maybe convert a bar stool.

[Robert DoddsParticipant @robertdodds43397]

Siddley

Have a look at this site
http://www.projectxoffice.co.uk/wooden-kneeling-chairs-ergonomic-kneeling-stools-in-blue

You might be able to judge whether they would be useful to you from the photos lower down the page

There are lots to look at if you google ergonomic stool

BobD

[SiddleyParticipant @siddley]

Thanks Bob, now I have seen a picture I realise we actually had one of those ( my wife used it to see if it helped with her back problems )

I found it comfortable to use but really difficult to get in and out of due to my knees being a bit secondhand.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Just put in a note here about Remap as some of the volunteers are model engineers.
They specialise in making one off aids to help when the standard commercial items don't fit the bill.
**LINK**

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

Worst I've had was carpal tunnel syndrome – I completely lost the 'tingle' reflex where they tap the inside of your wrist. My right arm used to go totally cold and loose all feeling. It came on after several months intense DIY after moving in, I think it was forcing hammer drills through tough concrete and too much mnual screwdiving. The latter can bring it back.

Got so severe I was worried about MS but the next best thing to a cure has proven to be mouse mats witha silicon gel wrist-rest at hiome and work they stop the inside of my wrist rubbing on the edge of desk or table.

Mind you, I've had bad backache this week after doing a lot of lifting (too much rather than too heavy) – age is starting to catch up.

I find how I sit or perch to be really important – I sat down at the lathe (on a stool) for the first time this week because of the backache. I felt less 'in control' but could not have carried on otherwise.

Lumbar support when driving really helps too -new car hasn't got this, but stuffing a folded scarf into the small of my back was useful.

We have a straddle chair at work, as a few people have had issues, on and off – one chap has a computer stand made of plywood that looks like a child-size computer desk – it stands on his desk and he works standing up!

Neil.

[David LittlewoodParticipant @davidlittlewood51847]

Siddley,

Just taken a couple of photos of one of my stools (they are identical). Hope that gives you a good impression of what they are like.

[Farmer DaveParticipant @farmerdave]

Hello All

I have an obscure muscle wasting disease and i can't stand for more than a fee minutes, I also need help to rise from an ordinary chair.My work shop is quite small with the usual lathe, milling machine,bench drill etc.

I acquired an office chair with swivel, castors & arms , I raised the height. to suit and it works a treat I can sit all day on it ( and frequently do) pushing myself around with my feet, My mill was new in the spring and i mounted it on a low bench which also helps although my lathe is at the normal height. As my condition deteriates I hope I can continue from my wheelchair. I might be able to post a photo if your interested.

Regards

Farmer Dave

 

Edited By Farmer Dave on 07/12/2012 21:44:12

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

I feel a bit pathetic to complain about a dicky wrist in the face of these tales of real determination.

Neil

[SiddleyParticipant @siddley]

Carpal Tunnel is no joke Neil, a really good mate of mine had it until recently and even though he's about the toughest guy I know it was driving him crazy. Fortunately the op fixed it.

David – thanks a lot for the pictures, I get the concept now. I think I can make something like that.

Farmer Dave – hello from another farmer ( we farm olives in Spain not a quick way to fame and fortune… ) I've got just such an office chair and it's really comfortable. With a modification to extend the height I'm sure it would be great, but my workshop is tiny and I wouldn't be able to use it in there. Good luck with your efforts to 'adapt and overcome'

Bazyle – Remap seems like a great organisation to be involved with, I wish I could help them but it wouldn't be practical with me being in Spain now

[David LittlewoodParticipant @davidlittlewood51847]

Posted by Siddley on 07/12/2012 23:16:50:

David – thanks a lot for the pictures, I get the concept now. I think I can make something like that.

Siddley, I did a Google search and saw some similar – possibly identical – ones for about £45. I think, given the effort involved in making one, especially the adjustable legs and the padding, it would scarcely be worth the time spent – but your call, of course.

David

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

I'm not disabled, just getting old. Ankle, knees, hips ,and back are worst. I've found that not doing anything for very long is the answer. eg 10 mins standing at lathe, 15 mins at computor, walk dog for 10 mins, into cold shop for 20 mins, feed hens. keep warm and keep moving seems to work. Only problem is my feet are wareing out. Also have a "bar" stool and a chair in both shops, the light bent tubing sort. These also used as support and benches in emergency, also good as a "halfway house" when lifting stuff onto bench.

[speelwerkParticipant @speelwerk]

I had a friend who was blind from child but still had a small workshop, even with a lathe and press drill. This was before the digital era so he used special adapted (measurement) tools for the blind. As you would expect many things went wrong but he was very open about that and had great pleasure in what he made. For many years it was special leads for guide dogs which he had designed himself, it was sold all over the Netherlands and even Germany. I made several jigs for him to work with and it gave me great respect for people who despite their handicap do make fine things and have pleasure in it.

Niko.

[SiddleyParticipant @siddley]

Posted by David Littlewood on 07/12/2012 23:27:54: Siddley, I did a Google search and saw some similar – possibly identical – ones for about £45. I think, given the effort involved in making one, especially the adjustable legs and the padding, it would scarcely be worth the time spent – but your call, of course.

David

I'm in Spain though David – it's difficult to buy anything secondhand here because they haven't really taken to the internet as quickly as other countries. As an example when we were looking to buy a car we found that there were only 3 pages of cars for sale on Ebay.es – three whole pages !

Quite often the line of least resistance is to buy from the UK, but something as bulky as a stool – it's only really practical when I have put together a number of items to be sent overland by an expat friend who runs a courier business.

A lot of the tourist bars on the coast are shutting down so we'll probably have a drive over there and get a barstool I can modify. Probably a steel one thinking about it, I've got welding tackle and prefer metalworking to woodworking.

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