How to Build a Wooden Playset
Giving your children their very own play set is a great project to tackle. If you build them a play set, they will have the memory of spending hours on something that you did for them. While you can purchase one, it could be expensive and you may not be able to customize it to your specifications. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Six pieces of 13-foot, 8-inch pressure-treated 4-inch-by-4-inch boards
- One piece of 12-foot pressure-treated 4-inch-by-6-inch board
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Circular saw
- Concrete mix
- Wheelbarrow
- Water
- Metal swing set post brackets
- Drill with a screw bit
- Wood screws
- Level
- Post hole digger
- Clamps
Instructions
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1
Measure the proposed play set location to make sure you have enough room to house it. The support columns should be no more than 10 feet apart. Make sure you also have enough clearance for any swings.
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2
Measure down 6 inches from the top of one of the 4-inch-by-4-inch boards and make a mark with the pencil. Set the circular saw to an angle of 12 degrees and cut half way into the post at the mark with this angle. Cut the from the top down to the end of the cut you just made using the same saw setting. Repeat this for three other pieces of 4-inch-by-4-inch board.
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3
Clamp two pieces of the 4-inch-by-4-inch boards together so the notches are together at the top and they form an "A" shape. Decide where on this frame you would like support pieces. Measure that distance and cut pieces from the remaining 4-inch-by-4-inch board using the 12 degree saw setting so they will fit in between the frame. Attach the support beam with screws.
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4
Mark where the frames will be in the ground. Use the post hole digger to dig holes which are 18 inches deep.
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5
Mix the cement in the wheelbarrow using the dry mix and water. The cement should be the consistency of wet mud.
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6
Stand the "A" frames in the holes and make sure they are level in all directions. Pour the concrete in the holes around the frames. Let the concrete dry overnight.
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7
Screw the 4-inch-by-6-inch board into the notches you made earlier at the top of the frames once the concrete is dry. Use brackets on the sides and screws from the front and the back to get a good connection. There should be a 1-foot overlap from the frames on either side.
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8
Purchase play equipment like swings and slides from a manufacturer. Install them to your frame per the installation instructions.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have the room, you can make a bigger play set. Just make sure you have enough space to place your support beams with 8 to 10 feet between them.
Make sure the tops of the frames are even, otherwise the 4-inch-by-6-inch board will not sit straight.
