How to Make Swing Sets

There's virtually nothing better than seeing your children and their friends playing, laughing and enjoying life in your own backyard. That's made all the easier with the right swing set to help bring the good times to life. This article will give you all the information you need to put together your own swing set and get the good times swinging.

Things You'll Need

• Two 2-by-6-by-12-foot redwood boards
• One 2-by-6-by-8-foot redwood board
• Four 4-by-4-by-8-foot posts
• Hardware, fasteners, etc.
• Box of wood screws
• 8-foot ladder
• Drill
• Screwdriver
• Socket wrench
• Handsaw, skillsaw or mitre

Instructions

The Essential Steps to Building A Swing Set.

1. Decide if you want to buy a package deal (where you buy a plan, and the lumber, hardware and accessories come along with it) or just the plan. The package makes the purchase easier, but you also pay more for having all the legwork done for you, and you get inferior lumber. Buying just the plan is less expensive, comes with the essential accessories and a list of the specific lumber you'll need to build your swing set.

2. Choose lumber that will hold up to the extremes of being outdoors year-round. Green treated or redwood are the two types of lumber that hold up best to the rigors of outdoor extremes.

3. The plan you chose (if you chose a plan) should have a list of all the materials you need to buy. If you're doing it on your own, the above referenced materials will work fine for a basic swing set.

4. Take your two 2-by-6-by-12-foot boards and place them on a flat surface, one on top of the other. Drill a set of three or four holes every 32 inches and screw the boards together. Do this on both sides so that the boards are firmly held together. This is your top beam.

5. Add bracing to the legs, so the swing set remains strong and stable. You should be able to do this with one 2-by-6-by-8 cut in half. If the width is too great between your posts, you may need an additional 2-by-6-by-8. Once the swing set is standing firm on its four legs (without wobble), put your 2-by-6 up to the legs on either end of the swing set and place a mark on the 2-by-6 based on where the post runs down it. Cut it according to your markings. Then predrill the holes and attach the fitted 2-by-6 to your posts. Do this on the exterior side on both ends of the swing set. For extra strength, buy another 2-by-6-by-8 and do both the insides and outsides of the posts.

6. Attach the swings. Most big box stores sell swings with the appropriate hardware and directions for proper installation. Once you've attached your swings or other accessories, it's time to enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• Predrill all your screw holes. This will keep the wood from splintering and make for a longer-lasting swing set. If you are debating whether to use green treated lumber or redwood, go with the redwood. It's more expensive but it looks nicer and you, or your kids, won't have to deal with any treated lumber slivers. Make sure your posts are even length. Always measure and cut them, because even the best lumber can differentiate in terms of length. If you use redwood, make sure you treat it with protectant (once a year) to keep the wood in good condition. These instructions are for building a very basic swing set. To add additional accessories (like a climbing wall, tire swing or slide requires a longer 2-by-6-foot plank and additional 4-by-4 posts.