Building an Inversion Chair

If you like to build things, work on a laptop, and have a bad back, this video is for you! I've dealt with back pain for 24 years and learned a lot in the process of visiting many different chiropractors and physical therapists. I've taken what I learned and designed an office chair that gently decompresses and stretches the spine using gravity. The chair also allows you to strengthen your lower back muscles by performing low back extension exercises directly on the chair without the need to buy a separate roman chair. These exercises are typically recommended by physical therapists for people with lumbar disc issues. Physical therapists also often recommend the McKenzie method, Sphinx pose in Yoga, or the sloppy pushup, all of which you can do on the chair but with even more flexibility. When lowering the roller table with the electric switch and laying on your stomach, this position uses gravity to pull your legs down the roller table which helps gently decompress the spine to relieve pressure. The best part is that this is likely the only chair that allows you do do all of this while getting work done at the same time!
** Looking for the Plans? Get them here:
liftbridgefurn...
** This video is sponsored by Fleximounts
I used their M10 laptop mount which you can get here: amzn.to/2RoX4xp
** All other parts used in this build can be found in our Lift Bridge Furniture shop here:
liftbridgefurn...
(still updating with parts so check back if you don't find what you're looking for)

[@emeryz10]

Man, this video/design did not receive as much appreciation as it should have. I was captived the whole time while it was being made that I stopped thinking about how it was all going to go together and just sat back and enjoyed the show. You are not just a woodworker, you are a craftsman, and you are very proficient in your craft. Thank you for your hard work and your dedication, and thank you for your time. It is most appreciated. Subscribe, Like, Comment, and Share, you got my support.

[@TommyTompkins]

ApexFizz Thank you for your kind words!

[@tonybp965]

Tommy. Thank you for doing this. I know after your operation, you have dedicated your talents to help others like me. Thank you so much. I can't express enough how grateful I am.

[@TommyTompkins]

I appreciate that very much Tony!

[@golen082307]

Been a very long time since I've seen anyone use a radial arm saw to rip length. Most so called carpenters of today only do cross cuts with that type of saw. I am very impressed. You are one of not many that obviously still possesses the knowledge to utilize all the different capabilities that piece of Machinery has to offer.👍👍

[@MarkH10]

Added to my Using Radial Arm Saw playlist. I really like that usage you showed.

[@dennisfahlstrom7422]

Tommy, I hope you haven’t had more back problems or any other issue that’s closed down your KZbin projects. I’ve had my back fused in two places and know it’s usually not as good after the surgery. In my case the neck pain was reduced but it had a big reduction in range of motion. The lower back was pain free for 2 years but then back to the same as before. I’m 74 so it was never realistic to expect it to feel like I was 30 again. Good luck with yours. Hope to see more of your fine projects.

[@TommyTompkins]

Hey Dennis - no, not at all! My back has never felt better to be honest. Okay maybe not as good as when I was a child, but I'm still feeling better today than I have in the last 20+ years. I have absolutely zero back problems now after my surgery. I just haven't posted much on KZbin lately as I've been busy with other projects. But I'm trying to get back to making more videos. I actually have a couple videos in the works as we speak. Sorry to hear about your spine issues :(

[@christofix]

WOW! you are a genius. That chair is well thought out and designed. well done man!

[@TommyTompkins]

Not a genius...being in pain just makes you design crazy things I guess lol! It really is a fun build though.

[@sapelesteve]

What an awesome build Tommy! That looks like a terrific ergonomic chair for sure. Besides being an incredible woodworker, you must have some kind of engineering degree to design something like that. Thanks for posting this & I hope that your back continues to do well after the surgery!

[@TommyTompkins]

Hahaha thanks Steve. My dad was an engineer. My grandpa was a salesman for Johnson & Johnson but woodworking was his hobby. I went into computer science and then fell into woodworking when I inherited a lot of my grandpa's old tools.

[@DougAlcoe]

That chair and monitor stand are awesome.

[@TommyTompkins]

Glad you like it Doug. I'll have it on display at George Vondriska's "Meet the Makers" event this Saturday in Wisconsin. It's open to the public so if you're in the area stop by! Here's the link: www.vondriskawoodworks.com/meet-the-makers.html

[@anandpatel1074]

Super dope. I wish I could build something like this

[@TommyTompkins]

You can! We have plans available :)

[@nateamus3920]

Mr. Tompkins, would you mind sharing the make and model of the bandsaw you have? It's just what I've been looking for!

[@BookofIsaiah]

Wow!! Awesome design and build, Tommy!! Very impressive!! I'm hoping to get the plans and try this myself. Really great job!!

[@TommyTompkins]

You should! It's not only very useful and contributes to your overall health, it's also a really fun build!

[@ChetstarSimonA1]

Great job Tommy... a lot of work, but looks like its definitely worth it!! I also appreciate the effort in your video production too!!

[@TommyTompkins]

Yes, absolutely worth the effort. This chair got me through the last few years before I decided to dive in head first with ADR back surgery.

[@Steve-gh7um]

Love the dust collection on the radial arm saw!!

[@TommyTompkins]

It works very well.

[@gt2scale]

My back started aching while watching this, I think it’s jealous. Also I love the Star Wars style Star Destroyer shot!

[@TommyTompkins]

Hahaha which shot would that be?

[@gt2scale]

@@TommyTompkins I thought it was intentional! It's at 8:57.

[@bobhoskins9595]

At 1:25, how is she able to see the screen when she is looking straight up to the ceiling? I don't see a mirror and wouldn't a mirror reverse everything?

[@TommyTompkins]

The monitor actually swivels and faces downward so she's looking directly at the monitor. I'll be releasing a separate video on the rolling monitor stand soon so you can see how that's done.

[@Smudgie33]

Excellent concept and build.

[@TommyTompkins]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@anonymousgeorge4321]

Great project. Thanks for sharing.

[@seansysig]

I need one of these, does your plan take into account for taller & bigger people? I'm 6'2" 270 lbs. with 3 disk degeneration between L1-L5.

[@TommyTompkins]

My dad is 6’2” and it fits him. If it didn’t, all you need to do is make the roller table a bit longer.

[@ManCrafting]

How’s that back doing? Does this help with neck issues or is there not enough weight to make a difference?

[@TommyTompkins]

The back is doing great! Seriously couldn't be better. After my surgery I don't really need this chair anymore but it's still fun to lounge on it. That's a great question about whether it would help with cervical issues. I don't have any cervical issues so I can't say for sure, but I would think that it would help if you can't move your neck much and need to stare at a monitor for some length of time.

[@KLIDIMARIA]

Very impressive and accurate work.Love your tiny jointer !!!

[@TommyTompkins]

That little jointer actually does a pretty good job for it's size!

[@KLIDIMARIA]

@@TommyTompkins i'm very sure about that.It's small but looks sturby !!!

[@jewdd1989]

I’d love to build this... when I was in my early 20’s I finally had a diagnosis of Psoriatic Arthritis. Now I’m 31, sick and discovered during Covid this summer that I actually was diagnosed incorrectly and I have Lupus SLE and a second autoimmune disease very likely to be Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). Anyways with Lupus I deal with severe swelling, the worst being my hands and especially my legs. From my feet clear up my thighs. So I wish the foot support on this chair could be risen to above the heart for lymphatic drainage (fluid). That’s my only complaint is the legs must be supported up higher than the heart but with the ability to lay nearly upside down, especially when I have severe pain of my lower spine and SI joints that would be fantastic for nights I can’t hardly lay down, stand or sit. Just to pull the spine the opposite direction to relieve stress and pressure would be helpful. You’re the only one I’ve ever seen come up with this and build it if only the leg support could be risen much higher than currently shown. Fantastic job and I’m thrilled the level of detail you go into your saw station. My Dad has one and eventually it’ll be mine lol so I have ideas for him and myself in the future lol ;) pls keep filming your work 🤟🏽

[@TommyTompkins]

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. The foot rest could probably be redesigned and modified to go higher, but you might have to lose the notebook computer tray as a compromise. Another option might be to extend the laptop tray like you were going to work on your laptop, then place some sort of hard foam block on top of the tray, effectively giving you a platform to raise your legs up higher. Maybe one of these would work: amzn.to/2Lsh0At

[@jphoffman1]

Nicely done! You have incredible talent!

[@TommyTompkins]

Thank you!

[@jaredsolko2125]

Love your work!

[@TommyTompkins]

Thanks!

[@tonybp965]

TREMENDOUS!

[@msinsuranceadjuster4396]

What is the name of tool at 19:06 that can lift up and down the chair? Thanks

[@TommyTompkins]

Those are linear actuators. This video shows them in more detail: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqG9nWptmL51rtE

[@BGomez-tk7lu]

This is so cool

[@chrismoore9997]

I love seeing a radial arm saw being used for something other than just crosscut. Great video. I am curious why the blade is burning the wood like that? I usually only see that from a dull blade. How long have you been using it since replaced or sharpened?

[@TommyTompkins]

At the time I made this video, I needed to recalibrate the horizontal blade heel. It was slightly out of square which was causing more burning than it should. Also, my blade is about due to be resharpened.

[@tony72tony72]

Cool design

[@bachbeats2217]

Can you give me a name or a link to the red anodized measurement and marking tool your using? Also what length actuator for the back rest are you using here?

[@TommyTompkins]

That's the Incra 6" T-Rule. It's incredibly accurate! Get it here: amzn.to/2N7mHnP

[@wm005]

Love the design and thought process. Beautiful super model...

[@TommyTompkins]

Thanks Wayne. Yeah she's pretty cute.

[@ximono]

17:28 How old is Bobbie? What a good old lab :)