Swivels and Clamps
We have 1/2 “ x 1/2 “ swivel clamps and 1/2″ aluminum rods with holes drilled in them that we use for a lot of different things. The swivel clamps and aluminum rods are much cheaper than buying the special clamps and tubing that are made for wheelchairs. We use (2) 1/2” x 1/2” swivel clamps and (1) 1/2” x 2′ rod and (2) 1/2” x 2′ rods for everything. We also have 4′ rods that we slide through her trey holder that is connected to her wheelchair. The long rods allow you to slide several swivel clamps on at one time and have multiple rods connected to them. By doing this you can have multiple connectors to do several activities at one time.
We are willing to help create mounts to work on the wheelchair you have, not all wheelchairs are the same. You can buy wheelchair mounts, but It was cheaper for us to use the ones we created. I think the clamps and rods we use, probably is the best creation we have come up with so far. They adjust to any position and are light weight. They have held up for us and we have been rough on them. The aluminum rod we use is light weight, yet very sturdy. When I get the rod, I usually take a sander and smooth them out to get the nicks off and help the clamps slide much easier. I drill multiple 5/16” holes for different things that we mount different things to. I usually file the holes after drilled. I use 1/4” bolts and wing nuts to mount everything to the rods. The clamps I use, I will spread open a little bit with a good size screw driver, that way when you tighten them, they will open up more for easy adjustment. What it does is creates more gap, it will not hurt them or break them, just stretches them a little. Shouldn’t have to do it more then 1 time. My daughter has a wheelchair with a tray holder on her armrest. We stick the rod through the 3/4” tubing. I would recommend 5/8” tubing, but that’s how her chair came. The tubing came with a 1/4” hole with a nut welded on it, that a 1/4” threaded male knob screws into, that holds her tray from moving. You can also use (T) handle 1/4” bolts. I went ahead and drilled another hole and welded a nut in a different place on her tubing, just because when we use the 1/2” rod that holds all her switches, controllers, fan, dvd player, umbrella holder and fishing pole, it just gave the rod more support from possible slipping or moving when we had excess weight or were using longer rods for other recreational use. She has even enjoyed lighting fireworks with an extra long punk holder and shooting roman candles safely. I don’t recommend this, but with this setup it made it safe and fun. With the price of the clamps and different lengths of rod and a little effort of drilling some holes, you can mount your devices and adjust to every angle needed to enjoy your entertainment. A person could just drill holes through the tubing and rod, with multiple holes drilled in the rod for different adjustments, but you will have to take out the bolts and move to a different hole and it won’t swivel in your tubing. I advise you to use drill holes in your tubing and have nuts welded onto the tubing, then use the your 1/4” male threaded knobs. I advise using (2) 1/2” x 1/2” swivel clamps, (1) 4′ rod and (2) 1′ to 1 1/2′ aluminum rods. We will try to help or create a mount for the chair that you own or you can buy your own wheelchair mounts elsewhere, but they are very expensive.
