How to Make Homemade Crutches

While most crutches are adjustable, these homemade crutches are custom made for the user.

A leg injury hinders the ability to accomplish everyday tasks. Using crutches alleviates that by providing a means of ambulation. Avoid buying crutches, or simply indulge your do-it-yourself attitude by making your own crutches. The following plans take a few days to complete, so build your crutches in advance to have on hand in case of an accident.

Things You'll Need

• Two broomsticks
• rip saw
• barrel of water
• Two 6 inch long 1/4-inch bolts with nuts and washers
• Two 2-by2-by-5-inch pieces of wood
• Four 1-and-1/2-inch long finishing nails

Instructions

1. Split the broomsticks down the center with the ripsaw to within 12 inches of one end. Soak them in a barrel of water for three days. This will make the wood more pliable and easier to shape.

2. Drill a 1/4-inch hole lengthwise through the center of the two 2-by-2-by-4-inch pieces of wood. Sand the corners to make a more rounded comfortable grip. These are the hand grips of the crutches.

3. Place the sanded grip between the split halves of a broom handle and adjust to the length of your arms. Drill 1/4-inch holes in the brook stick to match up to the holes in the ends of the grips. Push the 1/4-inch bolt through, place a washer on, and secure it with a nut. Repeat with the other broom handle.

4. Use the finishing nails to secure the two 2-by-2-by-5-inch pieces of wood to the tops of the split broom handle. Leave 1/2 inch overhang on each side. These will be the top. They will be the top supports of the crutches. Sand down the corners to make a more comfortable fit.

References

• Chest of Books: Home-Made Crutch