My name is Lance Greathouse and I make custom wheelchairs for people in need including one with a flamethrower. AMA

aside from a financial donation, how can others help wheelchairlabs who don’t live in arizona (i’m in oregon)?

People can spread the word like to get sponsorship from a big company to help us help others like a tool company Battery company home Depo ect cheers lance

we have helped a person in Brookings OR with a fishing chair lance

yet here I am with an rx for a wheelchair but nobody takes medicaid.

I know. So hard to get insurance company to work with just the major Monopolys.

wow what a great opportunity for a business that sells that kind of equipment that could help somebody customize their wheelchair! A home Depot sponsorship would be so totally cool.

I agree. Cheers Lance

I'm curious, under what circumstances does one "need" a flamethrower attachment?

check out Burningman on the internet people were fighting over who got to use this machine!

Are you hiring? This seems like a great job, helping people and making awesome stuff. I am 100% serious.

We all do this in our spare time wheelchair labs has no paied people only vollunteers always welcome to help out here!

This is cool. What's your relationship like with Invacare/Sunrise?

I have knowlage on how to repair there equipment but never had any luck working together no response back from my emails to them l

Hey, my wife rode an Invacare wheelchair for a while, and I am absolutely not surprised that they want nothing to do with you, or with helping people in general. They charged me full price and full shipping to replace the chair's defective footplate.

I is a big business period!

some people wait for weeks to get there chair repaired my wife gets on me if my people are down for a couple hours!

You know, I hesitate to take my car in for repairs because life is difficult without the car, even when it rattles like Godzilla. But asking someone to go without their wheelchair -- for weeks -- that's crazy. You, kind stranger, are my hero.

Understood a lot of places charge people for a loaner chair while thiers are in the shop go figure! just about money!

Weeks? Some people go without a chair for years. The whole process to get a chair through Medicare is ridiculous. It took one guy I know over 2 years to get a power wheelchair through Medicare. You’re doing a great thing. Thank you!

I know some vets wait 2 years to get a chair most prople are shocked when they find out how long the process can take.

Have you ever looked into the racing chairs that marathoners use?

i have checked them out, currenty work mostly with electric machines would like to set the world speed record in wheelchair at trhe Bonnieville salt flats looking for sponsor and disabled driver

Check out the invictus events and groups. A lot of disabled veterans who would probably be up for a stunt like that

Will reach out when I can get a little extra funding.

You could check them out for volunteers too. There are a lot of ex engineers part of invictus who might want to help out

always looks for help here email us [email protected]

I can drift my new chair. It's awesome! Speed is so often an after thought in chair design, yet I came to hate my old wheelchair as it had a top speed of "little old lady crossing the road".

I'd love to try that chair out.

Love speed and helping others get mobile

I race handcycles. There's no bigger smile than a first time rider moving quickly under their own power again.

I agree totally!

I’m in an electric wheelchair and I’d totally be down to race through the desert!

Awesome attitude!

It would be interesting to see where the dividing line between "wheelchair" and "car" is drawn.

Same here started a chair lays doun on the road for speed and stops stand up and drive around like chair so little time so many ideas cheers Lance

I'd happily drive it. Incompetent paraphernalia here...that's incomplete paraplegic to the rest of the world.

Email me when you have the chance Thank you

[email protected]

I have a disabled driver for you but she's in UK!

contact Colin Furze in the UK and tell him I want to build a project for her in the UK googl Colin Furze

Am disabled. Would LOVE to be the driver.

Where do you live? Phoenix Az

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Thank you a lot wrk but we love what we do here!

Very cool. What was your personal favorite mod so far?

I enjoy making stuff for children The charriot was built for a little dwarf girl she stood up and drove it have picture on another computer can send later if you want Cheers Lance

Absolutely love your work, part time user myself and wish there were cooler looking ones on the market. Have you got anything in the pipeline to mass market or make another brand better?

Went on Shart Tank and they said the maket for such tings was not big enough would love to do full time someday

Shart tank 😂

I was on the very firs Shark tank with my chairs they said not a big enough market the bald guy said his money had concenious! what a careing man!

Love what you guys are doing? How long does a typical modded chair cost to make?

I is more time than money tipically between $500 and 3000

Geeze. They billed my insurance tens of thousands for my new chair. And it isn't fast at all!

I know! Cheers Lance

Is there a chair you haven't made yet that you're hoping for someone to ask for? Underwater? Attaches to a hang glider?

chair that goes from land into water like a boat

Nice. First thing that came to mind was those WWII amphibious Duck Boats that still give tours in various cities. I have MS, so may become a customer some day! Right now I get around with a cane and rollator.

understood my wife also has the same thing!

I want that for my kid.

Hope to make someday for a deserving kid cheers Lance

Hi Lance, I have seen your stuff on YouTube before and nearly contacted you about a potential project. Since you are here, Would you have any interest in building five to ten low profile off road tracked electric recovery carts?

A few of us balloon folks want something that will carry 750lbs-1000lbs though a field and no one makes anything that works for us. Small market with only 200 or so US customers.

Yes, have you seen the track machine they sell to move toyhaullers around should work great for your application!

Thanks! I just found exactly what I was looking for. Just got off the phone with them and they have a model not yet released that will do exactly what I want.

Thanks again!

Awesome!

I have not seen those! Something you built?

no saw on the internet last week search tracked toyhauler mover cheers L

Props to you! My dad also has Parkinson’s and has been chair-bound the last ~3 years after a hard fall. He has minimal use of his hands, so we got him one of those mid-wheel-drive six-wheelers that has a great turning radius but really finicky controls.

What would you recommend as a quality of life improver for someone in that kind of rig?

Look at the Action track chair very good but not cheep

I'm enjoying your video.

Have you made custom rigs for people wanting to hunt in the back country?

Yes a couple of 4 wheel drive chairs email and can send pictures cheers [email protected]

Two q's - Are you aware of or have you worked with the folks at Magic Wheelchair? Seems like there might be some good opportunities for collabs. Second, do you have a list of parts you need/want? I happen to know of several power chairs and such in various states of repair that may have useful bits to ship to you (the joys of a Makerspace, where they often come in as donations..)

I have not but will check them out thanks Lance

Hey lance! I love what you’re doing! How does one apply to get a chair? My husband is wheelchair bound and has a huge thing for steampunk, he’d shit a brick if he had something this cool!

Email us at [email protected]

I wish we had funds to build more of the custom chairs please helpm to find us a sponser so we can help others

A wheelchair flamethrower you say *eyebrows raise* you have my attention as a wheelchair user my sir, how might I ... attain one?

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Edit: I just watched that video... I need to hang out with you... 1) that wheelchair looks BA 2) that doggo is cute :D

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Double Edit: So how far have you shipped a chair?

Email me your thoughts [email protected]

How can I donate for this? I am from Argentina. My grandmother wasn't able to stand in her feets for so many years, and we weren't able to buy her a wheelchair for her, until the last year of her life. She was on that bed for 3 years before we can get one. It is so nice of you to have this kind of movement, rare to see these days, at least around here.. I can't donate a lot because the economy here really sucks but I hope it will help anyways

Hanks for thinking of us. Have sent a few chairs down your way it the past. Had a transporter company donate the delivery. Payday link on. www.wheelchairlabs.org

So, what exactly is a 'dental repairman' anyway?

I repair all the equipment in the dental offices chairs, xray delivery systems , air conpressors ,and vacuum. I pays the bills here and meet a lot of cool people out there

Did you forget the T in Greathouse and add it later?

My Friend Doug made the sign for me, he thought he was so funny having me take a picture with it not knowing it was wrong.

What a bunch of jokers here . All my vollunteers have fun and mean well! good people!

When you woke up this morning, did you already know that you were going to have one of the most badass ama titles? I mean come on now, not only wholesome but helpful, creative AND A FLAME THROWER? Legendary.

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And more seriously, everyone goes through some amount of stress in their day-to-day work life, even if it's someone's passion/dream. What sort of obstacles have caused the most trouble/stress for you & what did you do to overcome them?

the hardest things is trying to get funds to buy batterys spend more time on this than working on chairs do not like that part of helping people get mobility!

Goodwill and Craigslist put in add for wheelchairs wanted for gifting. Cheers. Lance

Have any good cringy second hand "you don't look like you need a wheelchair/mobility scooter" stories?

My dad had a guy tell him he "owes everyone an apology" for going to a race on a mobility scooter and parking it and himself in the handicapped section because "you come in here on that scooter but it turns out you can stand!" By a drunk guy who wanted to stand in front of the handicapped section.

all kinds people a be reallymean to people in wheelchairs

This might be a strange question but whats the biggest tires youve ever put on a wheelchair or scooter? What do you do for the wheel well/fenders on the ones that need them? My dad and I make custom motorcycle fenders from hand laid fiberglass.

Big Quad tires could not run direct to motor but anysize can be used with a jackshaft setup.

Have used motorcycle fenders and trailer finders for mod

Did a custom rocking horse that has a caps 2 seating system when I worked for a charity. They had requests coming in for some pretty normal things but adapted some way and you really had to change how you managed to do it. Have you found anything similar? A simple sounding idea (like a rocking horse for a wheelchair bound girl) but you had to utterly change your way of doing it to achieve it?

We have a charity here that has people making adaptions for people in their sheds - they had lots of great people volunteering their time but struggling with the fundraising to organise (and safety test etc) all these projects. I really wish you the best of luck and hope we hear more from you in hopes you can help more people!

Thanks so much Means a lot to me! cheers Lance

Rocking horse chair sounds really cool!

Is it possible to redesign an existing wheel chair to work on uneven terrain. I have a family member who is severely handicapped and totally confined to a wheelchair. He "graduated " aged out of high school and is limited how much he can go out because we live down a long dirt/gravel road. I would love to take him for walks with me but his chair can't handle the terrain. Do they make special wheels? Can wheelchairs be customized or would it be dangerous to try? I can send pictures if it would help.

Yes please send pictures. Cheers. Lance

This is awesome, will be donating. My dad is paralyzed from the shoulders down, have you made any wheelchairs for quadriplegics?

Yes all types of people need help! cheers Lance

Thank you so much for doing what you do. I’m a part time wheelchair user, and bought a rather novel electric chair on Craigslist. It’s a knock off brand and I’m always terrified of something breaking or the batteries dying for good. Do you guys have a hard time sourcing parts? Some brands seem like there are parts everywhere, some have nothing.

Again, I’m so grateful for you, and people like you. Life is so hard when you’re disabled, getting a chair and regaining your freedom is monumental.

Most of the chairs are gifted to us but are not functional stay with the name brands

Did you study engineering at any point, or are you self taught? What got you interested in sculptures/robots in the first place?

Also I study reliability engineering if you ever have a question on the longevity of one of your projects!

Thank you for your offer on longevity!

I am pretty much self taught with the help of my father also on fabricatiom

I did get a BA in electronis

What is your favorite wheelchair you have made? And do you it all based on the persons preferences or do you design some one your own and propose it to the individual?

Everyone is different. My favorite is always the next one. Cheers Lance

That’s so cool! How do you I pay you to make one for my mom 😂 we have been talking about making one for her (family of mechanics) but never got time to do it. Was going to put some bigger wheels on hers but no welder for the wheel frame.

Any wheelchair you dream of building?

contact my wife at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

I want to set the world land speed record in one of my electric wheelchairs with one of my clients at the helm at Bonnieville salt flats will happen someday!

How would you sell one of your chairs to someone who doesn't see a typical wheelchair as a "burden"?

I do not have a proble with that with people who use the chairs I get smack about what we do from no wheelchair users think I am crazy people in the chairs love the work we do!

Wheelchair user (and half-marathoner) here. Some of us don't like word burden or to be described as being "confined" to a wheelchair.

I agree We all should keep moving forward and do the best we can and push the limits!

My buddy and I both served in the 101st, he was actually still serving at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. He's since been diagnosed with early stage Parkinson's. Somehow the guy still has run marathons and gotten married.

Lately he's been wanting to go outside after seeing a wheel chair with tank tracks. I was able to find a foam mold for a design, but I've A) Never worked with Metal B) want to make it a green design.

What would you suggest?

Look at the Action trac chair cheers Lance

Why does someone need a flamethrower???

Why do some people like football cars hunting all kinds of diffrent people in wheelchairs all walks of life!

google Burningman

Heh, wheelchair flamethrower? Pretty good, pal. But have you ever considered the superior seige engine, the trebuchet?

sounds good come over and let's build one.

always likes cool machines made a small one a while back for kids science project cheers Lance

Lets make one that will fling a VW bug?

Now that's some extra-dimensional energy. You guys do great work, if I ever have resources/time to get down to Phoenix I'd love to build one. Cheers!

welcome anytime over here! cheers Lance

Is the flamethrower one in the possession of a person who should be in possession of it?

In possession I would believe. Cheers Lance

Why wouldn't you include the picture with the flamethrower in your proof?

I do not know how to post it. Goggle Lance Greathouse photos. Cheers L

what about doing a wheelchair with car engine and propulsion?

Sounds like what my dad is working on. Pictures soon cheers lance

What is the strangest custom you've ever done?

Tailgating chair with BBq and sound system. Cheers. L

Flamethrower... Wheelchair... wait a minute...

https://youtu.be/mgDACCzzU8E?t=35

I think somebody played Bloodborne! Cool creation though!

Thank you

The Lord Humongous wheelchair! I will check out the link

Hi there! I live near a major university, and we have been inundated with electric scooters (like Bird and Jump). A lot of people are upset when they ride on the sidewalks, but it's easy to get run over if you ride in the road (drivers don't notice you). Have you run into any similar concerns with your electric wheelchairs? What kind of limits do you run into as far as speed/modifications?

Also, you're awesome, keep up the good work! :)

no to much as the chair are pretty visiable we also put backup cameras on our chairs so people can see behind them Cheers L

What about rounding up a bunch of those scooters and using the battery packs for something more productive?

What is more productive than giving people there life back? Please explain. Cheers Lance

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Understood. Lance

I was talking about pillaging batteries from the bird scooters for your projects! Your video had me in tears man, what you do is awesome.

Thank you Adolf!

What type of drive motors do mostly use (gearless brushless, standard, etc.)? I've used both and found most modern chairs dropped GB motors because of cost.

Also have you built chairs for disabilities with low strength and high fine control? I've found almost all chairs are focused on higher strength and low fine motor control disabilities (e.g. Cerebral Palsy, paraplegia etc vs muscular dystrophies and related).

Mostly used brush motors as they are easily maintained. Cheers L

Do you offer make-a-long tutorials?

Im a part-time wc user and have issues getting through sandy soil. It was suggested that I add wider tires on. I have no idea what kind of tires might fit/work. I'm not sure how they would go on. Not many people seem to post how to videos on modifying wheelchairs for actual users. Any advice would be great! Thanks in advance!

I use Small ATV tires. Send me an email and will try to find the link where I get them Cheers [email protected]

Thanks!! I shall later this week:)

cool!

have you considered making the chair from Silver Bullet?

My Father made one similar email and will send picture cheers

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[email protected]

So you make Bad Ass Hot Wheels? Loving it man! That’s awesome dude!

Thank you. Lots of work but worth it!

Have you ever seen the short film Umshini Wam feat. Die Antwoord?

No but I will check out. Cheers. Lance

Ever made a chair for the legendary Arron Wheelz?

I do not know who that is but will google. Cheers Lance

No but could!

Have you ever thought about custom prosthesis? My dad has a prosthetic leg, and I'm positive he could do with one that shoots flames out of it somewhere.

We could do we have fire on just about all projects just because I like it!

Did you work on the movie FDR: American Badass?

I never saw the movie FRD on Youtube or netflix?

sorry do not get out of the garage much!

FDR: American Badass

checked out trailer looks like a fun movie! will watch thanks right up my alley

Do you think you messed up not getting into building houses?

I make ramps and stuff for houses for people in wheelchairs!

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like to hear more email me after this [email protected]

Holdup...

Who tf needs a flame thrower on their damn wheel chair !?!?

I do! it gets people asking questions. Gives me the chance to tell them what we do here and change lives! A lot of my vollunteers me me this way cheers Lance

It’s definitely an excellent conversation starter that gets people to ask a lot more questions about your great project. Great work!

thank you!

Cheers Lance

Why?

Edit: when I said that I just read the title and was wondering why he made a flamethrower wheelchair

Everyone like a chair that reflects their personality just like a car.