Teeter totters can range from complex to very simple.
Teeter-totters, or seesaws, remain favorite pieces of playground equipment with children around the world. The idea of using a fulcrum to balance two similar weights has been around since Egyptian times. Building a teeter-totter isn't difficult, with some planning.
Fulcrum & Base
A teeter-totter "fulcrum" refers to a type of hinge that acts as a pivot to help lift heavy weights. The best type of fulcrum and base will depend on the surface on which you mount the teeter totter. If you will mount the base on an existing concrete pad, pillar or other very stable support, make a wood base with a metal pivot or fulcrum. The fulcrum, or hinge, could be a heavy metal bolt long enough to pass through the supports and strong enough to support the teeter totter plank. To bolt the wood base to the concrete pad or pillar, drill holes in the concrete and place expanding fixtures in the holes that will grip the concrete.
If there's no existing concrete base or pillar, you may have to pour concrete to make a stable foundation for the base. Set either rebar bent into a U shape or a fulcrum and base made of pipes into the wet concrete. Make sure that the rebar's heavy enough to support the weight of the teeter-totter with a full load of children. Lightweight rebar may not provide enough support.
Seat & Arm
Wood is traditional for the teeter totter "plank," although you could use other materials. For instance, you could make a nice plank by bolting or gluing and tying a heavy-weight PVC pipe. Using old two-by-fours glued and bolted together also could work nicely. People have used aluminum or light iron support beams. Whatever you use should be light and easy for a child to sit on. If you use metal, don't leave any edges or corners that could cause injury.
Attach the plank to the hinge, or fulcrum, using U bolts. U bolts on the bottom of the plank, passed through and secured on the top, should not be so tight as to prevent movement of the plank and should be sturdy enough to prevent the plank from sliding on the fulcrum.
Handles
With vigorous teeter-tottering, a child needs something to hang on to. You can make handles from a range of materials, depending on the material used in the plank. If you use a metal plank, you could weld either a U-shaped or T-shaped handle. Bolt metal or wood U- or T-shaped handles to wood planks. When attaching a handle, test it to make sure it's strong and sturdy. The handle may be the only thing standing between a child and a fall.
Creature Comforts
If you want to make a deluxe teeter-totter, consider adding a padded seat. You can make padded seats from old cushions and pillows covered with vinyl. A padded seat will help if the child on the low end jumps off the teeter-totter, bringing the child on the high end crashing back to earth.
Commercially Produced Components
You can make your own teeter-totter components from commonly available plans. Yet some people prefer to use commercially produced components, like the handles and fulcrum, ensuring that they will adequately support a child's weight. Although homemade fulcrums and handles have been in use for years in backyard playgrounds, you have the option of using some commercially made components.
