Disabilities discussion

[firebird77clone]

Tonight, my back hurts. It hurts because I got off my ass and worked on the nomad.

That being said, it would be a lot worse had I not been working on my lift.

You see, I decided to finally install the high torque mini starter, after I cleaned the wheels. (So lovely to wash and polish at chest height). Well, looks like the headers had to be loosened to get it out, but I've had a leak on that side for a while, and new gaskets in the back seat, just waiting on me. When I popped the hood, the positive battery terminal was fuzzy, and it got priority. So, here I am in my lazy boy, tapping out that the battery terminal is clean, the new gasket is in place, the wheels are clean and polished, but the base of the mini starter interferes with the headers, and I can't find the heat blanket I ordered with it.

But this piece isn't about the project, but the equipment. I wouldn't have gotten all this done today without the lift. And it got me thinking about specialty equipment for the handicapped mechanic. Is there any? I know of a device that lets a person lay across the fender, especially for trucks, suvs. But even that isn't handicapped specific.

My lift helps me enormously. What tool or equipment helps you?

[chopt50wgn]

Using air tools is a big help in my shop. Taking off lug nuts or a rusted nut with an impact gun has made things much easier.

[Mike P]

In my case it's been more finding ways to make the job easier to do than rather than any specific tools. An example is almost always using alignment studs to stabbing manual transmissions or assembling the engine and transmissions and installing them as a unit instead rather than individually.

I also find I have a stool for each bench now so I can sit when I do bench work rather than being on my feet all day.

Every year it seems some tasks just get a bit harder to do but I am working on a plan to make things easier......teaching my Grandsons to do this crap so all I have to do is SUPERVISE !!!!!!





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[rspears]

Firebird,
Like 36sedan mentioned on another thread, it's amazing what you find when you Google with some creativity. There are a lot of "Assistive Technology Products" out there to help people with tasks, whether it's loss of grip strength or reduced use of a limb or limbs. Here's one that a person can search based on function, or based on tasks, and there's even a section "Can You Make Me A __________?" for someone to request help for a specific need that's not readily available on the market - Assistive Technology Products, Assistive Disability Equipment - Disability Work Tools Products

[40FordDeluxe]

I have a top side creeper that helps out a lot doing odd jobs from the top of the engine compartment. Not really a handicap user friendly tool though.

[firebird77clone]

Actually, that sounds like what I described earlier, and it is now on my to do list, to get or make one. Got pixels of it?

[40FordDeluxe]

Actually, that sounds like what I described earlier, and it is now on my to do list, to get or make one. Got pixels of it?

I can get you some pics tomorrow. I actually used it this morning to work on a 2001 2500 Dodge. I wish we would have had it years ago!