Swing Set Plans

Swing Set Plans For Those That Like Weekend Projects & Do It Yourselfers!

Do you love getting your hands dirty and working up a sweat building and fixing things? There truly is nothing as satisfactory and rewarding as working on a project that will ultimately bring joy, good health and creative imagination into your children’s lives for years and years to come—building a swing set is exactly that kind of a project.

Before you proceed you need to decide what kind of a swing set is most appropriate for your children and what kind they would enjoy most, how much money you can afford to spend, how much time you have to commit to the project and whether you have enough space for a swing set in your backyard. Having made these preliminary decisions, you need to settle on a company and a specific model.

Do not hesitate to do some research, ask around and investigate. Make sure that the company that has been recommended offers do-it-yourself kits and that those kits come with assembly instructions. Keep in mind that there are general specifics that determine whether swing set plans are good or otherwise.

The following is an itemized list of important points you should look for in the swing set plans of your choice:

- The plans should give you comparative cost between the do-it-yourself and a prefabricated swing set of the same model. You decide whether the savings are worth your efforts.

- The plans should include a site-plan with an overhead shot of the swing set with the final dimensions. Measure against your backyard availability.

- The plan should offer suggestions for minor modifications to fit the swing set in a smaller area.

- The plan should provide a calculation of estimated time required to complete the swing set you have chosen and it should firmly recommend that you invest as much time as is necessary and to avoid taking shortcuts or cutting corners.

- The plan should include a list of tools required to complete the swing set and it should only include hand tools that are commonly found in everyone’s garage or at any hardware store.

- The plans should incorporate all the professional design-work and calculations of the swing set model you have chosen. All that should be required of you are the basic carpentry skills such as measuring, marking, cutting and drilling.

- The plans should include a general list of all the hardware included and separate lists for each specific segment or step of the project.

- The plans should provide a detailed list of lumber needed.

- The plans should offer a lumber cut-sheet that shows you exactly where and how to measure, mark and cut.

- The plans should provide concise, clearly explained and user-friendly step by step instructions with a “detail window” for deeper understanding and for reinforcing the goal of each particular step. These instructions should complement the three-dimensional drawings and illustrations that must accompany them.

- The plans should allow for each step to have its own individual page and not be grouped with other steps.

- The plans should allow for each step to have its own set of clearly visible and accurate three-dimensional drawings and illustrations that are not bunched with other drawings.

- The plans should provide a list of tips and suggestions for building your new swing set quickly, efficiently and error free.

- The plans should include certifications that the swing set design, its materials and its hardware meet or exceed every ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials) guidelines.

- The plans should offer a detailed list of safety precautions and dos and don’ts at construction time and, after completion of the swing set, at playtime.

- The plans should provide a maintenance list of completed the swing set.

Love the process of building something for your children that they will cherish for many years to come.