622 chapter 66
WHIRLWIND STEEL TUBE WHEELCHAIR
The whirlwind (ATI-Hotchkiss) wheelchair is a
very strong lightweight folding chair. On rough
ground it rides more easily and lasts longer than more
costly factory-made chairs. If it breaks, it can be fixed
by the neighborhood metalworker. It is narrow and
helps the rider to move about crowded rooms.
The frame of this chair is made of thin-wall steel
tubing that is easy to shape by someone with basic
mechanical and welding skills. It can be built in
about 4 days in a small metalworking shop. More
than 10 groups of disabled mechanics throughout Latin America are building this
wheelchair—often at less than a quarter the cost of imported wheelchairs.
Most materials for this chair can be obtained locally. It uses standard 24” (or 26”)
bicycle wheels. The extra strong hubs (see p. 623) use standard small machinery
bearings (which can often be obtained used for free or at low cost from electric
machinery repair shops). The axles are 5/8” (1.6 cm.) steel bolts. Seating is canvas
(heavy cloth). If the small front wheels are not available, you can make them out of wood
(see p. 597 and 616).
The curved fender bar that follows the shape of
the tire makes transfers easier. The lightweight
folding footrests are narrow at the front, for
moving more easily in crowded spaces.
Plans for making hubs, casters, and brakes are
on the next page. Complete plans for making
this wheelchair are in the book Independence
Through Mobility (see p. 604). The book is
essential for anyone planning to build this chair.
Model with wooden front wheels
MATERIALS NEEDED
• thin-wall tubing (from 1/2” to 1 1/4”)
• thick-wall tubing (5/8” inside diameter)
• thick canvas or nylon cloth (2 meters)
• square tubing (thin-wall)
• bicycle rims and spokes (24” or 26” diameter)
• caster wheels (2)
• used sealed bearings (8)
• re-bar steel (3/8” round)
• flat bar steel (1/16” x 3/8”)
• axle bolts (4) (5/8” x 5”)
• washers (4) (1” diameter, 16 upholstery)
• screws (8 upholstery)
• machine screws (8) (1/4” x 1 1/2”)
• paint or chroming chemicals
• bronze welding rod, flux
• bicycle tires and inner tubes (24”)
FOLDING FOOTREST
X-BRACE
TOP VIEW
Swing up
when not
in use.
footrest
stop bar
Seat hooks
slide on
frame to
fold chair.
axle socket
of thick-wall
steel tube
bolt for
length
adjustment
weld
X-brace
bolt for
attaching
brake
seat tube
square
tubing
Weld steel
washers
around
Round tube turns
center hole
on thinner tube
to add
inside it—
strength.
allowing chair round tube
to fold.
For a photo of this chair, see p. 536.
Disabled village Children