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Step 3Finish It
To finish things up so I can get a finish on it and be done I made a test fit next to the bed. I wanted this to be a true grab rail mounted solidly I used my stud locater to find and mark the wall studs and measured how wide a gap to the wall there was. I made a spacer from a 2x4 since I had intentionally allowed a 2 inch over hang on the back so as not to cover up an outlet and make it unusable. I made a pattern with masking tape on the floor then sat and lay in the bed to determine the optimum placement for the intercom and switches and penciled them in roughly. Then I moved the almost done nightstand and using the tape on the floor and the mark on the wall where the stud is did the simple math and drilled 2 holes through the back that would let me use 6 inch lag bolts to screw the nightstand firmly to the wall.
Once I had those holes drilled I marked space for a double gang box on the back, carried the whole thing back to the garage and used a jig saw to cuts all these hole and mount the bracket to hold the intercom speaker, sanded everything a bit, brushed on some walnut stain inside and out the put two coats of polyurethane on with a light run over with fine steel wool.
After it was well dried I wired in a double set of switches meant to fit in one gang, two outlets on the back for the double gang box and wired a plug and flexible line long enough to plug it in. This lets me plug in a desk lamp and a fan, 1 to an outlet and have 2 switches in easy reach to turn lights on or off or fans or a vaporizer etc, whatever item an invalid might wish to have some control of activating without having to call for someone to do it.
I then wired the intercom speakers so they stayed clear of the AC lines and left a pigtail out the back long enough to tie it into the system, and brought it back to the bedroom, lined it up with the tape on the floor and put two lag bolts 2 inches into the stud using the spacer I had made to keep it square to the wall. The table won't tip when someone tries to pull on the rail even if I test it myself by hanging off it with my 170 pounds.
Its surprising how far a solid handrail in the right location will go to making someone with difficulties walking feel secure.
I also made the optional cup holder which also makes for a good place to keep pens and pencils or phone books medications etc.
Once I had those holes drilled I marked space for a double gang box on the back, carried the whole thing back to the garage and used a jig saw to cuts all these hole and mount the bracket to hold the intercom speaker, sanded everything a bit, brushed on some walnut stain inside and out the put two coats of polyurethane on with a light run over with fine steel wool.
After it was well dried I wired in a double set of switches meant to fit in one gang, two outlets on the back for the double gang box and wired a plug and flexible line long enough to plug it in. This lets me plug in a desk lamp and a fan, 1 to an outlet and have 2 switches in easy reach to turn lights on or off or fans or a vaporizer etc, whatever item an invalid might wish to have some control of activating without having to call for someone to do it.
I then wired the intercom speakers so they stayed clear of the AC lines and left a pigtail out the back long enough to tie it into the system, and brought it back to the bedroom, lined it up with the tape on the floor and put two lag bolts 2 inches into the stud using the spacer I had made to keep it square to the wall. The table won't tip when someone tries to pull on the rail even if I test it myself by hanging off it with my 170 pounds.
Its surprising how far a solid handrail in the right location will go to making someone with difficulties walking feel secure.
I also made the optional cup holder which also makes for a good place to keep pens and pencils or phone books medications etc.
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