How to Make Crutches Without Metal

While modern crutches are often made from metal, in the past crutches were made from wood, as it is inexpensive and easy to work with. If you use a crutch regularly, you may find it worthwhile to make a custom wooden crutch; you can make it exactly the height that you want and embellish it to suit your tastes. Wooden crutches also tend to be lighter than metal ones. While most wooden crutches use screws or nails to hold the pieces together, it is possible to make the crutch entirely from wood with no metal at all.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Thin wood plank
• Rip saw
• Water
• Container
• Form
• Thick dowel
• Drill
• Wood glue
• Sandpaper
• Paint, wood finish
• Padding
• Rubber

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Instructions

• 1

  Measure the person for whom the crutch is intended. You need the distance from the base of the person's arm to the floor, the base of the arm to the wrist, and the width of the hand.

• 2

  Cut the wood plank to the length of the base of the person's arm to the floor. The plank must be sturdy, have straight grain, no warping and no knots. It must be about 2 inches by 2 inches. A thinner board may be too weak, and a thicker one may be a little difficult to work with, although the thickness will add more strength.

• 3

  Using the rip saw, split the plank in half the long way, stopping at about a foot from one end.

• 4

  Soak the wood in a container of water for a few days. This softens the wood so that you can bend it. You can also steam or boil the wood, which will take less time but is more difficult.

• 5

  Bend the wood around a form into the shape of a crutch and allow it to dry. You could also cut a larger piece of wood, such as plywood, into the shape of a crutch.

• 6

  Cut two pieces of wood from the dowel, both slightly longer than the width of the person's hand.

• 7

  Measure down each side of the crutch from the top of the split end. Make a mark at the point which is the length from the base of the person's arm to his or her wrist. Drill a hole at this mark on either side from the inside of the crutch, not going completely through the wood. Drill two more holes at the top of the split end in the same manner. The diameter of the hole must be the same as that of the dowel pieces.

• 8

  Put glue into each hole, then insert the two pieces of dowel rod. This forms a grip for the hand and a top to lean on.

• 9

  Sand thoroughly. There must be no splinters or rough, uncomfortable spots that may harm or bother the user.

• 10

  Paint, add a finish or otherwise customize or decorate according to the person's tastes.

• 11

  Wrap the top and grip with a soft material for comfort if desired. Glue a piece of rubber to the bottom of the crutch for stability and to ensure that the user does not slip.