How to build a wood A-frame swingset

An A-frame swingset is a simple piece of playground equipment that can keep your children entertained for hours. The process of building a wooden swingset may seem complicated but if you take it one step at a time even a beginner to do it yourself projects can accomplish this task. The supportive sides of the swingset will form A shapes while swings are attached to a top beam joined to the supports with special swingset brackets.

Things You'll Need

• 2 12 foot long beams
• 2 inch by four inch beam
• 2 swingset A-frame bracket pairs
• Screws
• Hammer
• Nails
• Drill
• 3/8 inch drill bit
• 8-10 foot long beam
• Swing hangers
• 3/8 inch hex bolts
• Nuts
• Shovel
• Fast setting concrete
• Garden hose
• Chains
• Swing seats

Instructions

1. Lay out two 12 foot long 4 inch by 4 inch beams on the ground and align two edges of the beams to form a V shape. Place a 2 inch by 4 inch board over the two beams to create an A shape. This cross beam should be slightly closer to the joined end of the beams than the free ends. It is alright if the ends of the 2 by 4 extend over the beams.

2. Place one piece of a swingsset A-frame bracket over the two aligned ends of the 12 foot long beams. Secure the bracket with screws so that the beams are firmly held together.

3. Nail the cross beam to the 12 foot beams to hold it in place. Flip the A-frame over and screw the second piece of the A-frame bracket directly behind the first.

4. Repeat steps one through three to create a second A-frame.

5. Line an 8 foot to 10 foot long 4 inch by 4 inch beam up with the two A-frames and mark the location where the A-frame bracket will attach to the beam. Drill all the way through the beam at these marks with a 3/8 inch drill bit.

6. Mark the locations of the swing hangers on the top beam. You should leave approximately 30 inches between between the swings and support posts. An 8 foot beam will allow you to install two swings while a 10 foot beam should accommodate three.

7. Attach the swing hangers with screws according to the package directions. Swing hangers are small brackets with a metal loop attached to hold the chain of the swing.

8. Connect the top beam to the A-frames by securing the beam to the brackets with 3/8 inch 6 inch long hex bolts. Secure the bolts with nuts and stand the swing set up.

9. Dig four posthole holes where the poles of the swing set will be located. These holes need to be approximately 12 inches wide and 18 inches deep.

10. Place the swing set into the post holes. Pour fast setting concrete directly into the holes and then use a garden hose to wet the concrete. Allow the concrete to dry for at least four hours.

11. Attach the chains and swing seats to the swing hangers. Many swing seats can be purchased with lengths of chain already attached to simplify the job.

Tips & Warnings

• Swingset brackets are sold in pairs and attached to sandwich the wood between the brackets for optimal support.