Today, I will attempt to bring back childhood memories and hope to inspire you to create some memories for a child.
Due to our over-protective rules and regulations, no longer do we see teeter totters on the playground. Gone are the days of Mom or Dad saying, "Get up, rub some dirt on it. You'll live another day." Bumps, bruises, scrapes, maybe even a broken bone, were just part of growing up. Now you have to have fully enclosed, safety belted swings. No more jumping off!
Ok, OK... Enough of the soapbox...
For those willing to to let your child, or your own inner child, experience some playground fun of our childhood, here is an inexpensive and incredibly easy to build Teeter Totter:
You will need the following material:
(5) 2x6x8'
(1) 1x8x4'
24" long closet rod dowel
Approximately 7-3/4" piece of 3/4" electrical conduit (not shown in the drawings)
(1) 5/8" x 12" hex bolt with nut and washers
Some 1-5/8" exterior deck screws (for the seats)
Some 2-1/2" exterior deck screws (for everything else)
Construction adhesive - exterior grade
Exterior Stain (lighter colored solid stain is preferable, won't get so hot in the sun)
Tools:
Circular saw or hand saw
Jig saw
Speed square
Drill and spade bits 1" for handle and 3/4" for pivot point
Compass or piece of string, pencil and tack (for rounding the horns and seats)
Eye protection
As for the material, use whatever you want, but I would avoid using pressure treated lumber. Even though I talked about being overprotective above, little hands/bodies will be touching the wood and they do tend to find their way into mouths. Properly protected and maintained with a good quality stain, standard stud grade lumber will out last your child's childhood. It works for your house, doesn't it?
Next, I'll point out some features. Everything (except for the seats) uses 2x6 boards. You'll also notice there are three holes and room for more. This allows you to accommodate differing age ranges by modifying the pivot point. By using the beefed up lumber (instead of 2x4s for the arms), even adults can act like kids with this one. The piece of conduit is there to act as a sleeve, prolonging the life of the pivot point. Without it, the bolt will wear on the wood quite a bit. If desired, you could find some exterior grade foam (find some seat cushions on clearance) and outdoor fabric and put some cushioning on those seats.
For the construction:
I would like to jump up on that soapbox with you Paul. I used to love to Teeter Totter.
My sister and I used to try and see who could knock the other one off first. It was so much fun. I think a few bumps and bruises are normal while your growing up. If you don't get a few here and there than your not playing hard enough.:smileywink:
I wish my daughter was still young enough so that I could build one for here. She would have loved it.
I love the parts break away. It leaves no questions to how all of the parts go together.
Thanks for bring back all of the great memories and also creating the opportunity for other to build there own teeter totter to create their own memories.
Another amazing build Paul!
I'm happy to see this up here as you're right; you just don't see these around anymore! Hopefully like shecandoit22 mentioned, you'll help other users make their own build so that they and their kids can enjoy it too!~
Thanks as always Paul for everything you bring to the community!~