Stilts
August 30, 2013 9:20 AM Subscribe
Where can I buy a set of stilts in the SF Bay Area or online?
I'm looking for a hands-free set of stilts, the kind that straps to your legs, for a tween-aged kid. Googling around I see metal drywalling stilts (expensive) and some simple hands-holding style stilts that is basically a long 2x2 with a foot rest, but not the kind I'm looking for.
If buying these is an impossible task, have you made these, and if so can you give me some guidance about which of the simple stilt plans available online I should use?
I have built things out of wood before, but I am not a carpenter and I don't want these to suck.
Thanks.
I'm looking for a hands-free set of stilts, the kind that straps to your legs, for a tween-aged kid. Googling around I see metal drywalling stilts (expensive) and some simple hands-holding style stilts that is basically a long 2x2 with a foot rest, but not the kind I'm looking for.
If buying these is an impossible task, have you made these, and if so can you give me some guidance about which of the simple stilt plans available online I should use?
I have built things out of wood before, but I am not a carpenter and I don't want these to suck.
Thanks.
Trapeze Arts, a circus school in West Oakland, sell stilts available in custom sizes. Else you might want to look at Renegade Juggling down in Santa Cruz.
Failing that, I'd speak to Trapeze Arts and tell them what you need.
posted by MuffinMan at 9:41 AM on August 30, 2013
Failing that, I'd speak to Trapeze Arts and tell them what you need.
posted by MuffinMan at 9:41 AM on August 30, 2013
Best answer: I used this recipe. The stilts are rock-solid, 12 years after I built them. I'm not a carpenter either.
I wear knee pads and tie my knees and feet to the stilts with rope made of cut-up t-shirt. You can also screw a pair of old running shoes to the footpieces (running shoes are best because the thick soles protect your arches).
Make sure to add some pieces of old bicycle tire to the bottoms. The rubber steps are easier to walk on. You can attach them with a staple gun.
Measure the distance between the wearer's foot and knee before building.
posted by the_blizz at 12:30 PM on August 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
I wear knee pads and tie my knees and feet to the stilts with rope made of cut-up t-shirt. You can also screw a pair of old running shoes to the footpieces (running shoes are best because the thick soles protect your arches).
Make sure to add some pieces of old bicycle tire to the bottoms. The rubber steps are easier to walk on. You can attach them with a staple gun.
Measure the distance between the wearer's foot and knee before building.
posted by the_blizz at 12:30 PM on August 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: OK, I made pretty much the recipe linked above. It's hard to get an in-focus photo of a kid learning to walk on stilts, but I think you get the idea. Thanks folks!
posted by latkes at 7:47 PM on September 14, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by latkes at 7:47 PM on September 14, 2013 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by tinymegalo at 9:25 AM on August 30, 2013