Outdoor Living & Lifestyles - Building a Teeter Totter

My wife works for a daycare and I have been asked to build a teeter totter for the CHILDREN, I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT WORKS. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE I CAN GET DRAWINGS FOR THIS PROJECT, Or any ideas for me? It needs to be a double(side-by-side)

When building a teeter totter, see saw I think it would be helpfull to sing the Bangles song "Walk Like an Egyptian"... It's basic lever stuff that people have been doing for a couple thousand years. I'm sure your common sense will put you in the right direction.

First, safety should be your first concern. Building a piece of playground equipment for a daycare center is like tatooing a bullseye for lawyers on your back.

Make sure there are NO places where little fingers can get pinched. Pay special attention around the pivot point. Stick your finger everywhere and move the see saw to make sure nothing can even think of hurting you. Remember 3 year olds don't think. They just do... and if it hurts they will only do it six more times.

I have seen many with a small tire burried half in the ground under each end to cushion it when hitting the ground.

It's a shame. All the good playground equipment I played on as a child is now "too dangerous": jungle gym, merry go round, see saw, really tall swings, and don't get me started on my beloved lawn darts game.

CarpenterMan,

I did a google with the term:
build see saw
and there were lots of sites. Here's one.
http://pages.areaguides.com/ubuild/SeeSaw.htm

Newt

I'm looking for easy to build small teeter totter, see saw foot plates for an erg.

The dimensions are approximately 5" x 14" for each.

The plates need to have resistance in each direction, i.e. not just set on the top, as I need to pull myself forward again with foot straps at the end of each drive.

Ideas, plans or suggestions are much appreciated.

Thanks

First, safety should be your first concern. Building a piece of playground equipment for a daycare center is like tatooing a bullseye for lawyers on your back.

Unless you are insured for this work I would not touch it with a ten foot pole.

I would stay away for the liability. Why not just give the center some seed money for purchasing one?

I think john posted on an old thread guys. Looks more like he's trying to build something for his own use, tho I'm not sure what an 'erg' is.

Yes, for my own use.

An ergometer in this case, is a rowing machine.

I think john posted on an old thread guys.


Doh !! :D :D Didn't even see that.