After 10 years looking after the family I returned to work last year as a maintenance engineer, but quickly realised I no longer enjoyed it.
I have realised I have a passion for powered wheelchairs and cannot believe how little the industry has progressed over the last 10 years, it’s almost stationary with regard to chassis development! This made me think, could I build power-chairs to make a living? I am a ‘time served’ mechanical engineer with all the qualifications to suit, so it seems like a viable/logical move. I would be able to work from my purpose built workshop at the side of my house and be there for my wife and kids if they need me, whilst doing a job that is rewarding and makes a difference to people’s lives.
I really enjoyed building Hayley's clone chair, and have built her many add-ons over the years including baby seats, phone holders, meal trays, iPad holders and the like. I have now built another one of the modified chairs using top quality new parts and consumables. My initial thought was to have this as a spare for H, but I have one of everything as a spare and know the chair inside out, so it is not necessary, therefore this amazing wheelchair is for sale.
I have decided to start a company and sell it with a view to building more and selling them. I am aware that others have tried to do this, and I have seen some of their work, which, can only be described sub-standard and shoddy to say the least.
I am certainly a profit making business, as I will need to make a living but do believe in fair pricing. I plan on selling the massively modified f55’s to start with as it would be wrong to ignore all of his/the forums research and findings, plus my own knowledge of the chair, then further down the line design a new frame/chair using the same principles, including lithium etc., (including all the complications of controllers and charging). Also, I would like to offer my services for add ons and improvements/modifications to existing chairs( location dependant obviously). I cut my teeth working on packaging and bottling machines so I am an all round engineer not just a ‘wheelchair technician’ who doesn’t understand or use basic engineering principles. I also like to think I have a similar work ethic to BM, maybe not quite so OCD though
I am aware that all chairs should to be built to individual requirements but believe the basis of these chairs can be made to suit a lot of people, for example making the chassis slightly longer or moving motor mounts to make less tippy and more stable if required. This chair has the motor mounts moved slightly rearward and longer anti tips, and is 99% complete, It is however completely up to you how you want your chair! It will have best quality marine lead batteries (oddessey) and 120amp r-net controller and pod with colour led display, lights, indicators etc.So there you have it, you can now buy a BRAND NEW massively modified f55 in the uk (or abroad if you are happy with limited support) built by a uk engineer. Price £6499. With 1 Year parts and labour warranty. I know in depth the cost of the parts alone and so know this is a fair price for the work that goes into it. Remember this is a bespoke chair, built by hand, my hands.The first chair is available now as an ‘off the shelf’ purchase with full spec on request. If you want one built to your specific requirements, waiting time will currently be 3-4 weeks, if my workload increases, this will be longer. For full details please email me at tkilmore@sky.com
Please note I have no affiliation with BM, these chairs are built by me and will be sold solely through my company. Lots more pictures and specification on request.
