How to Make a Miniature Seesaw

Assemble the Center Support Unit

• 1

  Drill three holes into the four pieces of wood that are each 1 1/2-by-2 1/2-by-20 inches to get 12 holes, each 9/16-inch. One hole is 5 1/2 inches from the bottom and the other two are 2 3/4 inches and 5 1/2 inches from the top.

• 2

  Line up the four pieces of wood like chair legs. Place the 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-13 1/2 inches piece of wood so the center of the wood lines up with the four bottom holes. The sides should be flush on all wood pieces. Use a pencil to mark where holes need to drill through. Drill the holes and place two bolts through the holes. The five pieces of wood should resemble a three-dimensional "H" with the center line lower than on the letter. This is the center support unit.

• 3

  Prep the tire to be filled with the center support unit and the concrete. To do this, cut or saw the scrap wood so it will lay flat on the interior of the tire. Ensure it is a snug fit so the concrete doesn't ooze out of the bottom.

• 4

  Follow the directions on the bags of concrete to make enough mixture to fill the wheelbarrow 2/3 full. When this is done, shovel enough concrete in the hole to fill 2 inches. Put the center support unit in the middle of the hole and push it down the wooden sheet at the bottom. Shovel more concrete in, working fast before the concrete sets. Fill the tire until the concrete is flush with the top of the tire.

• 5

  Place your level to ensure the center support unit is at a right angle to the tire. Make any necessary adjustments immediately, before the concrete sets.

• 6

  Move the tire unit aside to cure for a few days; it needs to be completely hardened before you begin assembling the seesaw.

Assemble the Seesaw

• 7

  Measure your 8-foot-long-by-1 1/2-by-7 1/2-inches piece of wood with the tape measure to find the exact center of the plank. Use your steel square to draw a straight line across the middle of the plank.

• 8

  Measure the exterior diameter of your pipe. Halve that figure and draw one line on either side of the center line that is that distance away from the center line using your steel square. For example, if your pipe's exterior diameter is 1-inch, draw lines on either side of the center line that are 1/2-inch away from the center.

• 9

  Pound one nail into the middle of the farthest left line just far enough in so it stays on its own. On the farthest right line, pound two nails in, the first 1/3 of the way down the line and the second 2/3 of the way. Place the pipe between the nails so the same amount of pipe overhangs each side the plank.

• 10

  Attach the bar to the plank using the saddle clips. Once the bar is secure, remove the three nails.

• 11

  Look at the four holes in the center support unit and decide which of the two height options you want to use. Put two bolts into the center support unit where you want the plank to rest. Lift the plank over the support unit and lower the section with the pivot bar onto the bolts.

• 12

  Attach the handles to the wood.

• 13

  Move your fully assembled seesaw to a safe area for children.