DIY Play Ground

[jeson]

Hi,

Some years ago I built a play ground for the kids out of some oak logs that I collected in my wood. That was a major succes - the children loves it! But I didn't remove the bark and didn't treat the logs with anything, so now it's beginning to rot. Today I collected some new logs (pretty hard - I split some of the logs from end to end - about 5 meters and 40 cm thick - with my wood hammer and a couple of wedges...). This time I'm going to remove the bark, but my question is: what should I treat the wood with to preserve it best? I don't want something poisonous or something that rubs off, because it's for the children. any suggestions?

 

[Western]

Hi,

Some years ago I built a play ground for the kids out of some oak logs that I collected in my wood. That was a major succes - the children loves it! But I didn't remove the bark and didn't treat the logs with anything, so now it's beginning to rot. Today I collected some new logs (pretty hard - I split some of the logs from end to end - about 5 meters and 40 cm thick - with my wood hammer and a couple of wedges...). This time I'm going to remove the bark, but my question is: what should I treat the wood with to preserve it best? I don't want something poisonous or something that rubs off, because it's for the children. any suggestions?

Most preservatives I know of will have some kind of "toxin", maybe less when cured/dry. You may have to use an exterior paint and keep up with the maintenance. You may try an exterior wood deck sealer, kids are exposed to it all the time , but it may depend on if the kids "crawl' all over the logs or it is used to hold up a swing.

 

[TRR]

x2

Anything that will stop bugs and fungus from eating the wood is not healthy for children. Peeling the bark will help it last longer, but there aren't many choices. Some of the preservatives are less toxic to humans than others. Sealers don't last very long and will need to be reapplied, but are probably closest to non-toxic.

 

[3930dave]

My first thought was an outdoor rated (ie. UV stable) urethane coating.

Long ago, I had a few chemistry courses, but by no means do I consider myself a chemist.... So I jumped over to Wikipedia for a summary.

Polyurethane - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Fully reacted polyurethane polymer is chemically inert."

I can't say I've tried it on an application like yours, perhaps someone on here has tried outdoor urethane on something (boat applications ?) ?

Wow, kids playing outdoors, what a neat concept ! :thumbsup:

Rgds, Dave.

 

[jeson]

Hmmm... Thanks for the answers! What I'm looking for is some old fashioned way of wood preservation. Wood Tar is fine - just not for play ground things because it rubs off - don't want the children to look like coal miners
Linseed oil could be an idea... But maybe someone has some knowledge about something else...?

N.B. Kids playing outdoors is a must! They love it and gets lots of experience and exercise - but remember. it's far easier to get them out if the parents are outside too

 

[forgeblast]

You could do the linseed oil, bees wax and turpentine mix. Double boil it and then just paint it on, if its too thick just thin it. Make sure you wipe off the extra. People use this in green houses.

 

[3930dave]

Parents active outside too ! Wow, that is wild talk !

;-)

Leadership by example is the most effective form that I know of.

It is great to hear of the example you are setting, and the hard work you are putting into providing another playground.

Forgeblast seems to have the most natural suggestion so far.

By chance, I picked up a copy of Mother Earth News at the library today. I don't know their website that well, but you might want to try researching there too:

Organic Gardening, Modern Homesteading, Renewable Energy, Green Homes, DIY Projects ? MOTHER EARTH NEWS

Perhaps when you are done Jeson, you can post some pictures of the finished structure ?

Rgds, D.

 

[Danno1]

You could do the linseed oil, bees wax and turpentine mix. Double boil it and then just paint it on, if its too thick just thin it. Make sure you wipe off the extra. People use this in green houses.

This would work but prob need to re-apply every year (or maybe 2).

There is a borate powder you mix w water and brush on to keep the bugs away. I believe it is relatively non-toxic to humans.

I think I'd do the borate first and when dry, use the linseed oil to help protect against the weather.


Google




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[Briana03]

DIY playground? What a great idea!

 

[jeson]

Done!

Now I'll let it dry out over the summer and then apply the oil/wax/turpentine before the autum sets in...

Added a couple of photos for inspiration...

N.B. just for fun I'll calculated the approximate weight - around 700 kg wood - pretty sure it will stay, even in the wind