Book 3 — A Twisting Thriller Merry-Go-Round By R. E. EDWARDS

“Step right up; three twisting thrillers for a penny—a tenth of a dime!” was the familiar invitation which attracted customers to the delights of a homemade merry-go-round of novel design. The patrons were not disappointed, but came back for more. The power for the whirling thriller is produced by the heavy, twisted rope, suspended from the limb of a tree, or other suitable support. The rope is cranked up by means of the notched disk A, grasped at the handle B, the car being lifted off. The thriller is stopped when the brakeplate I rests on the weighted box L.

The Supporting Ropes are Wound Up at the Disk A, the Car is Hooked into Place, and the Passengers Take Their Seats for a Thrilling Ride, Until the Brakeplate I Rests on the Box

Manila rope, ³⁄₄ in. or more in diameter, is used for the support, and is rigged with a spreader, about 2 ft. long, at the top, as shown. The disk is built up of wood, as detailed, and notches, C, provided for the ropes. The rope is wound up and the car is suspended from it by the hook, which should be strong, and deep enough so that it cannot slip out, as indicated at H.

The car is made of a section of 2 by 4-in stuff, D, 10 ft. long, to which braces, E, of 1 by 4-in. stuff are fastened with nails or screws. The upper ends of the pieces E are blocked up with the centerpiece F, nailed securely, and the wire link G is fastened through the joint.

The seats J are suspended at the ends of the 2 by 4-in. bar, with their inner ends lower, as shown, to give a better seating when the thriller is in action. The seats are supported by rope or strap-iron brackets, K, set 15 in. apart. The box should be high enough so that the seats do not strike the ground.