For someone with some welding skill, you can build something like this for about twenty dollars in parts. There's even plans available. The warnings at the bottom obviously come from experience however:
The temptation to build one out of 1.5" pipe and counterweight it for adult use should be discouraged.
Feb '04
Oops I dropped by satellite.
New Jets create excitement in the air.
The audience is not listening.
Mar '04
Neat chemicals you don't want to mess with.
The Lack of Practise Effect
Apr '04
Scramjets take to the air
Doing dangerous things in the fire.
The Real Way to get a job
May '04
Checking out cool tools (with the kids)
A master geek (Ink Tank flashback)
How to play with your kids