Problems with wheelchairs

[colinneil]

Been confined to a wheelchair now for almost 6 years.

I have now just ordered my fifth chair, i have 1 chair i keep as a spare ( dont like using it ).

First 2 chairs, same make/ model, i feel comfortable using them, but both of them the cross member below snapped.

So i tried a new company/ chair, bloody thing is useless after just 10 weeks, company i bought from not interested, i was just about told to ++++ off.

So i had a bright idea, contact the makers of my first 2 chairs, ask them can they make a chair with stronger cross member.

Well i i did was waste 30 minutes of my time even talking to them.

We make chairs, but we dont sell to the public, only through agents, ok, i will contact an agent, so stupid me contact an agent, we only sell what the company make, if you want different you have to deal with the makers.

Now i am not the only farang living here confined to a wheelchair, surely there is a market for stronger chairs, but they are not interested, buy what we make, or bye bye.

[ravip]

Why not try to import a high quality chair instead of buying locally? It might be worth on the long run, and you will be comfortable.

[Puchaiyank]

Take the chair of your choice to a welding shop...have a Thai explain to them you want more strength and stability in your chair...show them precisely where you want the chair strengthened...caution them to take precautions to protect the non-metal parts of the chair during the welding...

 

Enjoy your newly strengthened chair with confidence...????

[Crossy]

I think @Puchaiyank is on the right track, get a local outfit to make a strengthened part.

 

Could even do it in stainless for the go-faster look (or use re-bar to make it match the local sidecars, food carts etc.).

 

@colinneil you got a photo of the failed part?

[sammieuk1]

Many on lazada but quality unknown toying with taking one back for my old fella????

[colinneil]

16 minutes ago, Crossy said:

I think @Puchaiyank is on the right track, get a local outfit to make a strengthened part.

 

Could even do it in stainless for the go-faster look (or use re-bar to make it match the local sidecars, food carts etc.).

 

@colinneil you got a photo of the failed part?

No photo at the moment, not having a good day today, still on my bed, but will sort 1 later.

Now the problem with the cross member, they are made from some kind of alloy.

When the last 1 broke, my wife took the chair to a local company, they reckoned they could braze it.

Well when the chair came back, it only lasted 3 days before breaking again.

[Crossy]

1 minute ago, colinneil said:

... it only lasted 3 days before breaking again.

 

I reckon you're going to have to get a part made.

 

[Old Croc]

47 minutes ago, ravip said:

Why not try to import a high quality chair instead of buying locally? It might be worth on the long run, and you will be comfortable.

I've spent considerable time and effort researching wheelchairs.

It doesn't matter if the chairs are sold and branded in Australia, the US or on Lazada, virtually all of them are made on production lines in the big factories in China. They make thousands of them, basically identical, with just a few adaptations for different companies around the world.

 

Colin - this is the manual chair I've been using for years. Each one tends to last me about 2 years. Frames are strong, but tires and seating material deteriorate.  (you know about my failed attempt to get a more robust chair!)

I ended up buying my usual ride. This is Lazada price.

 

 

[Lefty]

What are you paying for yr wheelchairs? Have you looked at more expensive ones??

Check out these wheel chairs. I have a foldup electric chair.could not be without it.

https://www.cruisemate-thailand.com/

 

[colinneil]

4 minutes ago, Lefty said:

What are you paying for yr wheelchairs? Have you looked at more expensive ones??

Check out these wheel chairs. I have a foldup electric chair.could not be without it.

https://www.cruisemate-thailand.com/

 

First off i will not have an electric chair, because having 1 would just make me lazy, no exercise what so ever.

Have i looked at the more expensive ones.... The 2 that the cross members broke were expensive ones.

The present 1 that has just broke was a cheaper price.

If you read Old Crocs post he is paying 6.500 baht for his chairs, my 2 broken cross member 1s were 4.000 baht more expensive than his.

[tweedledee2]

Here in Surin there are several shops near the government hospital that sell wheelchairs and I'm sure there are some shops near your hospital. It might be better to go to a shop for a first-hand check of the build quality, measurements, comfort and take a test-drive. When you find a couple that fit your needs, you can check prices online. I think that would be better than just buying one online from pictures and descriptions.  

[colinneil]

3 hours ago, tweedledee2 said:

Here in Surin there are several shops near the government hospital that sell wheelchairs and I'm sure there are some shops near your hospital. It might be better to go to a shop for a first-hand check of the build quality, measurements, comfort and take a test-drive. When you find a couple that fit your needs, you can check prices online. I think that would be better than just buying one online from pictures and descriptions.  

Whilst your idea is a damn good 1, being paralyzed makes checking comfort etc is not possible.

My first wheelchair was bough opposite Khonkaen hospital, then after bought the same model from Lazada.

[Damrongsak]

@colinneal, check your messages.

[essox essox]

colin...try this link.....I have not read it in full.....

http://www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com/expats/docs/Locating-a-Wheelchair-9-July-2018.pdf

[essox essox]

3 minutes ago, essox essox said:

colin...try this link.....I have not read it in full.....

http://www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com/expats/docs/Locating-a-Wheelchair-9-July-2018.pdf

another for you to peruse......

 

 

https://www.made-in-china.com/products-search/hot-china-products/Wheelchair.html?msclkid=ec39e7158b1f1ae546c1ba6817586e78&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=QP-Health %26 Medicine(Disabilities)&utm_term=wheelchairs&utm_content=Wheelchair

[Old Croc]

23 hours ago, Lefty said:

What are you paying for yr wheelchairs? Have you looked at more expensive ones??

Check out these wheel chairs. I have a foldup electric chair.could not be without it.

https://www.cruisemate-thailand.com/

 

I've had Cruisemate on my favorites bar for years.

I came close to buying a model from them at one stage. They have certainly increased their range in recent times. Their chairs can all be traced to China. I actually bought an electric chair similar to their CM- 1003 direct from a factory (JBH) in China.

 

 An American brand (Eagle) and several others around the world use this basic chair.

The difficulties in buying without trying was illustrated by that purchase.

Although wide enough and strong enough, the seat is too low and the footrest all wrong for my disability. I use my manual chair most of the time.

As Colin has indicated, if you are infirm and don't live near the big outlets in Bangkok testing something for suitability is difficult.

Lazada, and others in Thailand,  now sell versions of this so it is possible to buy here for reasonable prices.

[Old Croc]

3 hours ago, essox essox said:

another for you to peruse......

 

 

https://www.made-in-china.com/products-search/hot-china-products/Wheelchair.html?msclkid=ec39e7158b1f1ae546c1ba6817586e78&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=QP-Health %26 Medicine(Disabilities)&utm_term=wheelchairs&utm_content=Wheelchair

These Chinese manufacturers are mainly wholesalers. I managed to become a member of this mob and was able to buy my electric chair direct from the factory.

[thaiguzzi]

Colin,

i've not inspected one close up, but my suggestion is to find out if the wheelchair is made out of stainless steel (probable) or aluminium (possible) or plain painted steel (doubtful), and find a fabricator in your area who works/specializes in those materials and who can modify/strengthen it to your specification.

KK should have several fab shops up to the job.

Regards,

  TG

[CGW]

4 hours ago, thaiguzzi said:

is made out of stainless steel (probable) or aluminium (possible)

My guess would be it is made out of aluminium as it would be lighter, if so you need someone who has MIG or TIG welding equipment, try scratch material with a sharp object, SS would be hard to mark? 

Good luck

[fruitman]

Bring the broken part plus the chair to a good constructor/welder and he can make it from steel.

[colinneil]

Thanks for the replies, some good ideas.

2 of my chairs were ally, 2 steel, wife took the last broken cross member chair to a local who reckoned he could braze it, when it came back it lasted 3 days.

[fruitman]

18 minutes ago, colinneil said:

Thanks for the replies, some good ideas.

2 of my chairs were ally, 2 steel, wife took the last broken cross member chair to a local who reckoned he could braze it, when it came back it lasted 3 days.

Yes because you can't weld or braise alloy well....best would be to make a new part out of steel.

 

If you show a pic of the part we also might have tips how to reinforce/repair it but best would be to use steel or titanium or so, no alloy..

[lungbing]

Try those places that make the ornate  gates.  They must be used to joining different metals.

[thaiguzzi]

2 hours ago, fruitman said:

Yes because you can't weld or braise alloy well....best would be to make a new part out of steel.

 

If you show a pic of the part we also might have tips how to reinforce/repair it but best would be to use steel or titanium or so, no alloy..

Rubbish.

[fruitman]

1 hour ago, thaiguzzi said:

Rubbish.

Why don't you offer some help? You have experience with inferior vehicles ????

[Damrongsak]

3 hours ago, colinneil said:

Thanks for the replies, some good ideas.

2 of my chairs were ally, 2 steel, wife took the last broken cross member chair to a local who reckoned he could braze it, when it came back it lasted 3 days.

If the part was aluminum and the fellow tried to "braze" it, he might have used some sort of zinc filler which is not the proper stuff - very weak.  Or maybe he just tried to melt it back together.  That's a big no-no with aluminum. A TIG weld with the proper filler may be in order.  Different aluminum alloys require different fillers. 

 

Can you get a picture of the part/area affected?  There has to be a way of repair or add-on reinforcing that will work. Perhaps something that will bolt on.  For a number of years, I helped the local high school robotics team in the U.S. build competition robots from scratch with very little in the way of resources.  My younger son eventually became a talented welder and machinist, so I defer to him now.