Whenever your kids tell you they're going out to play at
the park, you certainly feel a pang of worry at the thought of not being
able to watch over them while they're at play. What if they injure
themselves? What if another kid bullies them? Or, worse, what if
somebody tries to take them away? As long as your kids are out of sight,
the worry never ends.
How do you keep the worry under wraps? You might want to consider
building your kids an outdoor swing of their own on your front or back
yard.
Now, building an outdoor swing for your kids is no piece of cake. It
requires effort and patience on your part, as well as some carpentry
skills. You don't need to be a fantastic architect to succeed in making
one, but you do have to have basic know-how to do so. If your carpentry
skills are below par, you should seek the assistance of somebody who's
better at it, or you might cause injury to your children if you build
sub-par swings.
So how do you build an outdoor swing set? Here's a quick guide.
Materials: You will need a...
Shovel
Hammer
Drill bit and drill
Measuring tape
Spirit Level
Shifting Spanner
2 seats for the swing
2 125mm-round and 3.2-meter-long log (upright)
1 150mm by 75mm log (crossbeam)
2 bags of concrete
4 nuts
4 bolts
4 shackles
Find a spot on your yard that's level ground and away from obstacles.
Set your crossbeam over it and mark the spot where you will place the
upright beams. Next, dig 2 holes that are 900mm deep and 250mm wide.
This is where you will put the premixed concrete. Bear the upright beams
in it and make sure that they are level before the concrete dries out.
Concrete takes a day to dry so be sure the poles don't get dislodged.
Place the swing seats under the crossbeam and mark where they will be
attached and drill in the bolts securely. Attach the chain that will
hold the swing seat and then drill again. Make sure all the nuts, bolts
and nails are attached well. The recommended height for toddlers is
450mm.
After you've set everything up, coat the wood with paint or
preservative to make it last longer and protect it from weather-related
wear and tear. As your kids grow up, you can simply adjust the seat
heights to accommodate them.
Building an outdoor swing set for your kids is a labor of love. The
skill, though very important, cannot parallel the value placed by your
effort into the making of the swing. Your kids will definitely
appreciate the gesture and you don't need to worry about their
whereabouts anymore.
To Your Success
Perzina Munroe
http://www.12path.com/HBC/