Hesperian Health Guides
Square Tube Wheelchair
HealthWiki > Disabled Village Children > Chapter 66: Designs for 6 Basic Wheelchairs > 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.
canvas back and seat
Wood footrest bolts to bottom tubes.
A weld here adds strength, but is not necessary.
Side U-bolts secure axle tube.
Threaded rod connects bottom tubes to back tubes.
Middle U-bolts secure axle tube.
SIDE VIEW
steel square tubing (1")
sealed bearing hub (see "Hubs, Bearings, and Axles" and "Heavy Duty Wheel Hubs")
wide front casters
bicycle wheel (20" x 1 ¾")
2 double U-bolts attach steel axle tube.
SIDE VIEW
Weld caster hub to square tube.
all corners bolted together (⅜" x 2½")
76 cm threaded rod and 8 nuts attach back tubes.
The same design can be made of wood.
- Review drawings. Adjust measurements to fit child.
- Cut all sections of square tubing. Make sure that matching tubes are equal in length.
- 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.)
- Drill all holes in seat tubes. Pass threaded bolt through seat holes.
- Drill holes in back support tubes and front caster tubes.
Bolt to frame. - Weld axle nuts to ends of axle tube. Drill holes for U-bolts and bolt axle tube to frame.
- Weld front caster forks to front tubes.
- Sew cloth back and seat supports. Screw into place.
- Cut out and bolt wood footrest to frame. (Use wedges to get the angle right.)
- Attach axle tube with U-bolts and put on the wheels.
- Paint frame to help keep tubes from rusting (if not galvanized).
This page was updated:04 Apr 2024