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How to build a wheelchair ramp?

Heading for surgery next month and need a wheelchair ramp for an indoor step that I will only need for two weeks hence I'm using scrap plywood.

I'm trying and failing to cut an acute angle where the ramp meets the floor. The plywood is 1110 mm long and 900 mm wide with the step being 160 mm in height. I am an overweight man.

This is what I've managed - but I intended to cut the black line. Overestimated the table saw's capabilities.

Thoughts?

Advice?

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I'd keep trying for that line, you want it to be gradual to make life easier for yourself. I've seen Bunnings employees cut wood at similar angles in the Bundamba and Oxley stores but I don't know if that's something they offer in all stores.

Even with two weeks, I'd have done what these two did in this video, seems a lot simpler. When finished with it I'd have posted it online to donate after its use.

5mins with a belt sander and 60grit paper should get you there @Noyade. That is not exactly accurate, but I'm unaware of any saw that could cut that acute angle. You could set the blade on your table saw square to the table and place cuts across your board that correspond with the depth of your cut line. This would remove the majority of timber, and then you could sand down to the depth of your cuts with a belt sander. By using the depths of the cuts as a guide, you should be able to establish an accurate angled slope.

You'll either understand what I mean, or the above will be complete jibberish. Let me know, and I'll try to explain better or draw a diagram.

Mitchell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/23279#Comment_23279

Afternoon @Remarka6le

"I've seen Bunnings employees cut wood at similar angles"

I didn't know that. They cut acute angles along the lengths of plywood sheets?

20221023_113542 (1).jpg

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/74297#Comment_74297

I will be alone most of the time.

Possibly drugged.

I will be propelling myself - hopefully - up the ramp under my own power.

Trust me on this, from past experience - the last thing I need to combat is that 'lip' those YouTube guys created.

What is that height?!

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/23280#Comment_23280

"Let me know, and I'll try to explain better or draw a diagram."

Yes - I do understand. But please, by all means - show a diagram. I love your diagrams. 😁

This will be placed on polished and slippery (when wet) tiles. No way do I want it to 'float'. It must be anchored to the step - or I'll risk killing myself.

I was hoping to get away from sanding, Mitch - but.....

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/74297#Comment_74297

Hey @Noyade ,

Sorry for the confusion, I never said plywood, I said wood. On both occasions a Bunnings employee was with a customer and they were cutting treated pine sleepers at a steep angle similar to what you've shown with a circular saw. Not sure on the project, didn't think to ask but I do remember it and going "Huh, thought they only had a docking and panel saw". Again, not sure if it's something they offer in all stores, if any, or if it was just employees going the extra mile.

Agreed about the lip, but it's easily fixable by using an aluminum transition at the bottom or cutting the wood down the last few inches at an angle. There's a solution to everything 🙂

You might just end up having to do a mass belt sand as @MitchellMc described to get you the results you are after. Hope your recovery goes well 🙂

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/100696#Comment_100696

Prepare to be delighted, @Noyade!

Of course, you could cut the entire slope on the circular with this method and neaten it up with a belt sander. You'll be there for a while though. Not quite sure how ply will cope with knocking the sections in between out with a chisel. It might tear into the wrong ply layer.

Mitchell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/100696#Comment_100696

Hey @Remarka6le

"cutting treated pine sleepers"

That's also remarkable - my Bunnings store refuses to cut all treated pine.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/117236#Comment_117236

Lovely diagram Mitchell. 😁 @MitchellMc

The problem with that method, as I see it - is my board is 900 mm wide and over 1 metre in length. It's just a little unwieldy.

This also exceeds the ability to use the mitre gauge and the sliding table to the left of the saw which can accommodate only around 700 mm - safely. Otherwise use a fence? - but we won't get those final cuts to the right of your illustration. Also a Lotta cuts, lotta depth changes and a lotta fence adjustments.

The line I marked above is 120 mm in length - maximum cut with a 12" blade for me was around 100mm at the angle I scribed.

100mm 100mm

I may just position the plywood board and see what sort of lip protrudes. As you appreciate, it's the smaller wheels at the front of the wheelchair that are the problem.

Thanks. I'll keep ya posted.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/100696#Comment_100696

Hey again @Remarka6le

"Hope your recovery goes well"

Thank you!

I had a total left Achilles tendon reconstruction back in March - now it's the right's turn. Two weeks after surgery is about the time I can dispense with the wheelchair and move into a moon-boot. Next winter I plan on burning whatever my ramp becomes - as a sort of celebration. Thanks for ya kind wishes!

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/117238#Comment_117238

Using the fence and extension support could be an option @Noyade.

Any chance you could use an access ramp to get over the lip?

Mitchell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/126774#Comment_126774

Hi Mitchell @MitchellMc

"5mins with a belt sander"

Just located now - note the dust - *cough*.

Ozito - when it was BLUE - from Hardware House, before it became Bunnings.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/133142#Comment_133142

You're taking me back now, @Noyade! I started my Bunnings career with Hardware House.

Mitchell

Yes that was quite some time ago now.

Weird day. Sun. Rain. Sun. Rain...

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/23327#Comment_23327

Now down to a thickness of a $2 coin.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/74323#Comment_74323

Now that you have it down to that thickness hopefully it will be low enough for you to roll over with the wheelchair.

Eric

brendawebster44

Hello Noyade, I am no expert on ramps for wheelchairs but I know how you feel with the black boot on. I burned mine too although I had already got rid of one. I am no expert but I always thought plywood was a soft wood and it may be better to use a hardwood. See how you go but I wonder if you have carpet in the house or floor boards. I won’t say too much but it’s a right old job trying to wheel your self around on carpet. If possible I would suggest crutches for around the home and keep the chair for outdoors. I speak with experience not being able to weight bear I wish you all the best and my heart goes out to you. brenda

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/23342#Comment_23342

Hello @brendawebster44

Let me tag @Noyade to make sure they see your kind words and suggestions. You raise an excellent point about carpets, it is difficult to wheel around them. I've seen this happen on my son's very fancy computer chair. I would probably suggest getting some Ideal DYI 67cm Herringbone Carpet Protector so that at least the wheels won't be sinking into the soft carpet.

Thank you very much for sharing your experience with us.

Eric

brendawebster44

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/74333#Comment_74333

You are most welcome Mr Eric the wise.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/100723#Comment_100723

Thanks for your kind wishes Brenda! @brendawebster44

My experience was very different Brenda. I found Canadian Crutches not only impractical for the first two weeks but extremely dangerous.

Since I started this thread I've been looking closer at hospital equipment for hire today - I'm gonna go with this...and not the wheelchair.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/100723#Comment_100723

Hi again Brenda @brendawebster44

"I always thought plywood was a soft wood"

It's 19mm thick and there is a support midway under it. More than enough for an elderly obese man on a one leg scooter. 😁

And there is no drag-inducing carpet in the house.

Thanks!

20221023_133122 (1).jpg

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/117256#Comment_117256

The one-legged scooter looks to be so much more practical than a wheelchair. Your ramp looks very strong and sturdy, it's good that you got that angle you were going for. I know it is still a few weeks away, but I'm wishing you a quick recovery and hope everything goes well.

Eric

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/126789#Comment_126789

Many thank Eric! 👍

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/133145#Comment_133145

G'day @EricL

"The one-legged scooter looks to be so much more practical than a wheelchair."

You are so right mate! I cannot believe how stupid my thinking was!

Self-propelling up this ramp is impossible and potentially lethal.

I test drove my wheelchair this morning and nearly ended up in hospital earlier than expected. I admit it's a cheap Kmart chair without the back supporting wheels but the moment you attempt to propel yourself up the ramp it's natural instinct is to flip you backwards. The centre of gravity is too high. Even when I manage to go very slowly up the ramp - the moment you let go for the next 'grab' you roll backwards. If you try a one by one hand technique, you simply roll to port or starboard. Of course, going down the ramp is not a problem by myself.

If someone pushes me up the ramp - not a problem. But self propulsion - impossible.

But it looks so easy!?

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/137064#Comment_137064

Your post, @Noyade, really paints the picture of everyday issues that someone who uses a wheelchair might experience. Really eye-opening for me that such a ramp would cause issues. I'll spend some time investigating gradients that are suitable for wheelchair users.

One of the highlights of my career was that I happened to be at the right place at the right time and was able to assist a customer with a wheelchair up a significant gradient for a fair distance. I felt privileged to be able to make their day just that little bit easier. It wasn't a big thing, but it stuck with me.

Mitchell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139765#Comment_139765

I've pushed thousands of people in wheelchairs - but next to nil experience being in one and It clearly shows with this failed ramp. A quick measurement reveals a 1:6 gradient (excessive??). It'll be interesting to see what research data you come up with. Ridiculous as it sounds, I'm rather shocked by this - even my youngest son who is fit, healthy and strong tried it and nearly ended up on his back.

As I mentioned above, there are no small support wheels and it's impossible to get a "run up" in the confined space.

brendawebster44

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/117256#Comment_117256

Hi Noyade, so sorry I can’t believe I didn’t remember the knee chair. All the best brenda

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/141620#Comment_141620

It appears that if the overall height is between 35mm and 190mm, the maximum gradient is 1:10. For <35mm, the maximum gradient is 1:8.

Mitchell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/143019#Comment_143019

Thanks @MitchellMc

Late to the party, as usual. There's always a contributor who says "don't do that, do something else". It's me on this occasion. Have you considered renting what you need? That has the virtue of no workshop stress and a proven off the shelf solution. Not recommending, just suggesting. I've watched the struggles of a quadriplegic family member, so I sympathise with you. Hope it all goes well.

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