Guide to Building a Seesaw - By: Tauqeer Hassan

A seesaw is a simple board with a long slim plank that is perched in the center so that the ends will move up and down when weight is put on the other end. A rider sits on each end and pushes their feet against the ground in their turn and then lifting end up into the air dropping the other end to the ground. Seesaws generally have handles in front rider sitting on each end for holding while the seesaw moves up and down. It is easy to build a seesaw; it is as simple as the steps explained below.

Materials Needed
- Following things are needed;
- Screws and bolts
- Sand and cement
- Water
- Padding
- Staples
- U-clamp and post anchors
- Covering material
- Metal tubing or 2” X 8” stock
- Metal U-frame or post stock
- Shovel, level, tape measure, hammer, pencil/paper, metal drill, staple gun and wood.

Step One:
First, a solid foundation must be constructed for the seesaw. The area of ground should be leveled about 20´x 20´ and two holes should be dug in the center which should be at least six feet deep and one foot wide. The tubes should be set into the holes. The peak of the tube should be kept about 3” below the ground. Now the anchor has to be connected to allow perpendicular supports.

Step Two:
Now when the foundations have been finished, it is time to build the posts. It requires one-piece metal U-post system or simply two vertical posts joined by a metal pipe which should be bolted on the ends to a wooden of steel post system. The posts should be attached to the foundation. When the posts have been attached, the concrete, sand and water mix should be poured into the holes and around the posts. It has to be made sure that the posts are exactly on right angles to the surface. The concrete should be given 24 hours to set before attaching the posts to the foundation.

Step Three:
Now the length of the lever has to be decided. Wood or metal can be used but the lever needs to be wrapped with padding and if wood is selected, a metal strip has to be fastened to the base of the stock to provide firmness. Now the holes have to be bored for the seat on both ends.

Step Four:
This step requires the handles to be placed by drilling a hole in the level arm about the size of 18” - 24” from the end of the lever. Another hole has to be drilled in a 1” x 2” piece of stock. The vertical beam has to be now attached into the parallel lever and then the cross piece has to be added to the upright beam as a handle. At the both sides of the seesaw, a piece of foam covered with leather should be attached leather to serve as seats.

Step Five:
Lastly, the sharp edges of foundation, lever, handles etc should be sanded down. Now the seesaw can be painted using non-lead based paint.

About the Author

Also learn how to build a seesaw and how to build a seawall.

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