If you need a pair of crutches when they're not available, such as for a role play or a minor leg or foot injury, you can build them yourself from scrap wood and some carpenter's tools.
Steps
Step 1. Choose sturdy lumber with straight grain and suitable for this project
Oak, poplar, ash and walnut are perfect hardwoods, resistant and flexible; however, you can also use soft woods, such as white pine, when you don't have any better.
Step 2. Cut the plank in half to obtain two boards approximately 170 cm long and with an approximate section of 3x4 cm
On each of them draw a mark 30 cm from one end and split them along the medial longitudinal line up to this reference; in this way, you get two rods still connected in the end part.
Step 3. Drill a 9mm diameter hole in the center, 5cm below the mark that marks the fork made in the previous step
Insert a 9 mm hexagonal bolt by coupling it with two flat washers of equal diameter (one immediately before the entry hole and the other immediately after the exit hole); finally, tighten the bolt with a hex nut.
Step 4. Cut out a wedge 2cm wide and 7cm long
Fit it between the two rods of the bifurcation to distance them; these two elements should open symmetrically and give a "Y" shape to the crutch.
Step 5. Cut a block of wood with a section of 2, 5x2, 5 cm and a length of 10 cm
Both ends must be chamfered at 15 °; this element becomes the crutch handle, you must therefore drill a longitudinal hole of 9 mm in diameter exactly in the center. Sand it or shape it carefully so that it offers a comfortable grip.
Step 6. Make a mark where you need to insert the handle between the two diagonal rods
Place the "foot" of the crutch on the ground and leave your arms softly at your sides to find the right height. If you want an adjustable handle, you can drill a series of holes at different heights; if the crutches will be used by one person, you only need the sign you made earlier.
Step 7. Push the threaded rod into a diagonal rod, then insert it into the handle and finally pull it out of the second diagonal rod
Put flat washers and hex nuts on the end of the bar; tighten the nuts securely and cut the excess bar segment protruding from the hardware.
Step 8. Hold the crutches by the handles as you would to use them and draw a reference mark where you need to cut them
Shorten them accordingly.
Step 9. Cut two more pieces of wood 18 cm long and with a 4x4 cm section
Cut a 13mm square notch on each side on each end to create grooves to insert the diagonal rods. Use wood glue and nails to secure the rods in these slots on top of the crutches.
Step 10. Sand or sand any hard surface to make crutches more comfortable and pleasing to the eye
Advice
- If the underarm supports are uncomfortable, cover them by wrapping fabric or apply padding.
- Cut the base of the crutch so that you can attach a rubber plug to it and prevent it from slipping.
- Make sure the posts are thick and of sturdy wood, free from knots and with grain aligned with the cutting edge; they must be strong enough to support a person's full weight. Before using them, try them carefully!
- If the two diagonal rods do not have the same inclination, plane the less inclined side slightly so that the crutch is symmetrical.
- Choose wood with straight, knot-free grain for best results.
- Get some padding or at least some socks to put on the underarm supports to avoid pain.
Warnings
- Use the appropriate protective equipment when working with electrical machinery.
- Apply rubber pads to the lower ends of the crutches to prevent slipping on floors.
