|
Before selling the completed wheelchair, take it out for a test run. While the chair may not withstand every type of abuse -- being tossed off the roof of a bus or dragged through a dense forest by a reluctant burro -- it should be sturdy enough to withstand heavy use, it should be well aligned, and it should fold easily. The following five tests are designed to determine if the chair is ready to be sold to a customer. |
TEST #1
Inspect the chair very carefully for sharp edges. All square corners must be rounded with a file, and exposed tube ends must be covered with an ovalized washer.
 |
TEST #2Make sure that both rear wheels are aimed in the same direction. Use a tape measure to measure the distance between the rear wheels in both the back and front of the chair. If there is more than 1/4" (6 mm) difference between these two measurements, take off the wheels, use a piece of solid rod for leverage and bend the axle sockets into alignment. The rear wheels on racing chairs or chairs for people who will be doing a lot of high speed travel should be even more exactly aligned. If the two measurements differ by more than 1/8" (3 mm), the axle sockets should be realigned. |
TEST #3
Check to see that both rear tires are equally inflated. If one tire is low, it will cause the chair to turn toward that side.
TEST #4
Ride the chair over a level area. See if the chair pulls to the left or right. If it pulls to one side, remove the front wheels and check to be sure that caster fork arms are lined up with their pivot bolts. If one or both caster forks have been welded to their pivot bolts incorrectly, this will cause the chair to pull to one side.
|
If the angle is slightly off, try bending the arms of the caster fork until they are aligned correctly. Put one arm of the fork into the vise, slip a piece of pipe over the bolt to use as a lever, and bend it until the fork is properly aligned. Repeat the same procedure on the other arm of the caster fork. If the pivot bolt is seriously out of alignment with the caster fork, heat the weld with a torch and realign it. If the caster fork arms and pivot bolts appear to be well aligned, but the chair still pulls to one side, check to be sure that the caster barrels have been welded on correctly. If a caster barrel tilts to one side, it can turn the chair sharply in that direction. To bend it back into alignment, fit a long rod or pipe tightly into the caster barrel and bend the barrel until it points straight up and down. |
 |
TEST #5
The chair is folded completely when the rear axle bolts touch each other. Check to be sure that the chair folds smoothly and completely. If it doesn't fold easily, see if the seat hooks are binding on the seat back tubes. If they are, twist them up or down until they slide easily.
TEST #6
Check the brake adjustment. The brakes should be easy to operate, and should dig into the tire about 1/4 inch (6 mm). If the brakes press against the tire too much or too little, remove the brakes from the frame and bend them accordingly.