SqUARE TUBE WHEELCHAIR
This wheelchair, like other steel tube chairs,
should use only thin-wall tubing. To keep
costs down, check with various sources of
materials and ask at small fix-it shops for
advice and possibly even some free scrap
material. Metal scrap heaps are great for
materials.
DESIGNS FOR 6 BASIC WHEELCHAIRS 617
FRONT VIEW
canvas
back
and seat
sealed
bearing hub
(see p. 597,
598, and 623)
SIDE VIEW
seat depth 30 cm.
62 cm.
steel square
tubing (1”)
20 cm.
Side
U-bolts
secure
axle
tube.
caster wheel
mount (see
p. 616, 619,
and 623)
wide front
casters
bicycle wheel
(20” x 1 3/4”)
2 double
U-bolts
attach steel
axle tube.
Wood
footrest
bolts to
bottom
tubes.
TOP VIEW
A weld here adds
strength, but is not
necessary.
Threaded
rod connects
bottom tubes to
back tubes.
Middle U-bolts
secure axle tube.
Weld
caster
hub to
square
tube.
SIDE VIEW
all corners
bolted together
(3/8” x 2 1/2”)
76 cm.
threaded rod
and 8 nuts
attach back
tubes.
MATERIALS NEEDED
••••••
thin-wall square tubing (1” x 3.64 meters)
thick canvas cloth (1 square meter)
galvanized steel tube (1/2” x 66 cm.)
bicycle wheels (2) (20” x 1.75”)
caster wheels (2) (wood or rubber)
threaded rod (3/8” x 38”) (Use extra 20” to
bend
4
••
U-bolts.)
2 front casters
21 3/8” nuts and
12
screws
for
seat
and
back
supports
HOW TO MAKE YOUR CHAIR
1. Review drawings. Adjust measurements to fit child.
2. Cut all sections of square tubing. Make sure that
matching tubes are equal in length.
3. Drill holes in bottom tubes and pass the threaded
rod through them. Adjust nuts until a ‘V’ is
formed. (Weld tip of ‘V’ for extra strength.)
4. Drill all holes in seat tubes. Pass threaded bolt
through seat holes.
5. Drill holes in back support tubes and front caster
tubes. Bolt to frame.
6. Weld axle nuts to ends of axle tube. Drill holes for
U-bolts and bolt axle tube to frame.
7. Weld front caster forks to front tubes.
8. Sew cloth back and seat supports. Screw into place.
9. Cut out and bolt wood footrest to frame. (Use
wedges to get the angle right.)
10. Attach axle tube with U-bolts and put on the wheels.
11. Paint frame to help keep tubes from rusting (if not
galvanized).
The same design can be made of wood.
disabled village children