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I've built a couple of them but it's been a few years
They are not hard to build if you have very basic skills -
- can measure and cut wood
- can use a framing square
- can use a level
- can drive a nail, drill a hole, use a wrench to tighten a bolt
I don't know that you really need "plans" per say - just need a plan
Look at the one you like and get rough measurements and from there you can figure out a materials list.
Use galvanized or stainless steel fasteners and treated lumber
Use a belt sander to knock off the sharp edges that will be splinters if you don't
Start small - tower / slide / sandbox base. You can always add the swing set arm later.
The "just add lumber" kits might be a deal if you need all the related stuff (swings , slide, etc ...)
Price it out separate to be sure you aren't buying stuff you will not use.
Treated wood looks pretty good if you stain it the second year
The one's that we built lasted 15+ years with a little maintenance every few years.
added -
> I don't have tons of room
If you have swings you will need some "runway" area
The tire swing is a good option (don't use real tire) because it is not a "jump from" swing
* Full disclosure - I started Mr Big Stuff on his road to ruin giving him a basic materials list
and pointed to basic plans for his shed. We haven't heard from him in awhile !
: -)
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As above. The big box store models are all some odd Chinese quasi-cedar. Not as strong as good old USA Pine.
Just please be careful if you design your own to avoid building in trap/choke points. Check the safety web pages for information about that.
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yea, lowes had it- built ours 2 years ago.
still standing..HAHAH
If the box says 2 adults can build it in 8 hours.. DOUBLE THAT!
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Thanks for the info to the three of you. lafinfil, thanks for all the detail. Might head over to Lowe's or Costco today or tomorrow just to see if there is anything that might suit what I need. If I build the structure I will be using all store bought tire swings, slides or rock climbing walls and copying their design so there shouldn't be any chocking hazards. But, I will take that in consideration.
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I've made my own and put together (and helped put together) some purchased sets.
The purchased sets often have some well hought out construction detals - little things like round head bolt facing out rather than in, etc.
metal slides get hot.
cats consider sand boxes litter boxes. If you make a cover make sure a two year old can't get trapped or hurt by themselves. (sliding off rather than hinging up is a design change I made after a booboo finger) (no damage, not heavy, just tears)
I don't think you're gonna find CCA treated wood anywhere any more (new).
But some of those old used heavy ones you looked at may have been CCA.
swing sets get boring fairly quick, so a club-house of some sort can be a good idea.
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Those warnings are for the old CCA treated lumber which I haven't seen for years
All the current stuff I have seen is AC2 which is copper treated and contains no arsenic (or old lace)
Also the sets we built were stained with reapplication every couple of years
Another note re round headed bolts (aka carriage bolts)
On our sets we drilled out the back side where the nut went with a 3/4" spade bit and set the
nut down inside the pockets - below the surface.
Some kits just give you a plastic cover for a too long bolt - bad design
