Kiddie Drop Tower - CoasterBuzz

Although many people around here told me it was a bad idea I went ahead and built my kiddie drop tower. I'm not sure of the name yet, (any ideas), but it is going to be themed and operated like a real ride. It is currently in the final construction stages of the actual ride. I bought a 130 dollar 1/2 hp garage door opener from Sears. I brings the car up, the "tension rope" pulls on the release lever when it gets to the top and the car falls, freefalling then braked by bungee cords with backup rope. Its working great. My main problem is that I'm having trouble with the wheels. I'm using casters (rigid not spinning) and they work ok but I can't seem to get them "into place" around the track. Oh well I'll figure it out. I'll post some pictures tonight! After about 2 weeks of testing I should be able to operate it.

God Bless

BTW, any ideas for a name?

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I go to the point each year to have their new coaster break down, thats my life. Dragster and WT may have been closed, but MF is always there to fulfill my thrill needs

Top Thrill Liability?

How tall is it?

Edit: Criticism is unneeded. None of you will be riding this thing so I don't understand what your problem may be. I applaud the creativity involved in making this backyard ride. Stan Checketts started in a similar way.

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Please visit the small parks. We don't know what's happening behind the scenes
Woodencoaster.com
*** This post was edited by bigkirby 7/3/2003 7:48:59 PM ***

:) I'm not trying to diminish it. It's sounded like a good project from the beginning.

But I'm not sure his insurance company would agree :)

The ride is 12 feet tall. +/- a few feet for the car it'll drop about 8 feet or so.

As far as liability is concerned I'm pretty much covered:

1. I'm not letting ANYONE on it until I know it is 100% safe.

2. Its not open to the public, neighbors, relatives, and friends mainly.

3. By riding, riders taking a risk which we are not responsible for.

I know I'm not 100% lawsuit free, but it'll be safe.

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I go to the point each year to have their new coaster break down, thats my life. Dragster and WT may have been closed, but MF is always there to fulfill my thrill needs

Can you post some pics?

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"Here's my ten cence, my two cence is free"-Eminem

Yea Rubberducky I'll have some today sometime.

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I go to the point each year to have their new coaster break down, thats my life. Dragster and WT may have been closed, but MF is always there to fulfill my thrill needs

Wow. That's a great idea for a ride, but im concerned about the safety of this "ride"..

As long as you have ensured that the "car" is securely attached to the ride and can not detach itself and that you have several Bungees on each side and check them early and often I don't see a problem with this ride.

There is no more danger from falling 8 feet from the ride than having a pool or a trampoline this ride may even be safer than a Tramp when you think about it.

I plan on having a daily maintenance checklist that I will use every single day I use the "ride"

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I go to the point each year to have their new coaster break down, thats my life. Dragster and WT may have been closed, but MF is always there to fulfill my thrill needs

A good name...
Backyard Drop...
umm.. how about having your Street name then add fall or drop after that.
I dont know though. Sounds like you did a great job, I wish I had my own drop tower :)

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Celebration City will suprise you in 2004.... Silver Dollar City will blow you away in 2005 ;)

I think it's great that you built one. I built one on knex and planned on building it for real but never knew how to get it up. Nicely done. Try using Wheels but take off the rubber tire. So it slides in to the track. Post some pictures please.

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Ryan

Do you have any pictures?
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Celebration City will suprise you in 2004.... Silver Dollar City will blow you away in 2005 ;)

Good thing you made progress. I loved that you were doing this, but no one ever responded to the origional topic...