How to Build a Swing

Give your children the gift of real-life, outdoor fun.

Your tools:

•    Spade
•    Drill bits
•    Drill
•    Spanner 12mm or Socket 12mm
•    Hacksaw

Material list:

•    4 gumpoles 3600mm long and 125mm to 150mm in diameter
•    1 gumpole 3900mm long and 125mm to 150mm in diameter
•    12mm x 500mm threaded bar
•    12mm nuts and 30mm washers
•    4 eye bolts 12mm x 300mm
•    2 pieces hardwood 250mm x 450mm x 40mm thick
•    15m of Hessian rope 20mm thick
•    4 bags premix concrete

1. Make two A-frame supports as shown. Drill 15mm holes 350mm from the ends of each of the 3600mm long poles. Take two of the poles and join them together with the threaded bar. Cut a length of threaded bar (350mm) and secure with washers and nuts. Do the same to the other pair of poles.

2. Dig 4 holes in the pattern as shown. The holes should be 400mm deep and be angled slightly inwards. Position the A-frame in the holes, 3200mm apart (inside). The legs of each frame should be ±1600mm apart. Make sure all dimensions are the same. Support the frame vertically with temporary braces and fill with concrete. Leave for 24 hours.

3. Take the 3900mm long pole and mark as shown.

Drill 4 x 15mm holes for the eye bolts at the marked positions. Insert the eye-bolts and secure with washers and nuts. Use a second nut to lock each bolt securely. Position this pole in the V of each A-frame, with an overhang of ±350mm on each side.

4. Take the 2 pieces of hardwood and drill 2 holes as shown, 20mm in diameter. Cut angles on each corner and sand all edges to remove any sharp points.

5. Cut 4 lengths of Hessian rope 3500mm each in length. Tie one end of each rope to the eye-bolts on the top pole.

Make 3 half hitches/knots to secure.

Insert the other ends through the hardwood seats. Measure the required length from the ground and trim the rope accordingly. Secure the seat position by tying knots under the seat holes to stop the rope pulling through.

Your swing is now complete. Let the fun begin.