A DIY DREAM SWING!

A DIY DREAM SWING!

There’s nothing more relaxing in the summer than to let yourself rock in the open air over a coffee, book, or an aperitif. Good news: making a super trendy swing is easier than ever! Here is everything you need to know to do it yourself!

TOOLS NEEDED:

- Mitre Saw
- Screwdriver
- Drill with ¾ in. Bit
- Pipe Cutter
- Safety Glasses
- Tape Measure
- Led Pencil
- Utility Knife (X-Acto)

BUILDING MATERIALS:

- 4 x #T165B Brown Treated Wood (1 in. x 6 in. x 5 ft.)
- 1 x #T2610B Brown Treated Wood (2 in. x 6 in. x 10 ft.)
- 1 x #T268B Brown Treated Wood (2 in. x 6 in. x 8 ft.)
- 1 x #T2412B Brown Treated Wood (2 in. x 4 in. x 12 ft.)
- 1 x #6011180 Brown Treated Wood Screw (1-1/4 in.)
- 1 x #107696 Brown Treated Wood Screw (2-1/2 in.)
- 1 x #8311033 Black Aluminum Baluster Set
- 2 x #6031003 Swing Hooks
- 2 x #195571 Steel Ring
- 1 x #6111106 Rope

PREPARATION

Using a mitre saw, cut the pieces of wood to obtain:
- 2 x 2 in. x 6 in. x 56 in. (seat - frame)
- 2 x 2 in. x 6 in. x 20-7/8 in. (seat - frame)
- 4 x 2 in. x 4 in. x 20-7/8 in. (seat - internal structure)
- 4 x 1 in. x 6 in. x 53 in. (seat - top planks)
- 1 x 1 in. x 6 in. x 48 in. (back)
- 2 x 2 in. x 4 in. x 12 in. (armrests)

STEP 1

Using the drill and screws, assemble the bench frame by attaching two long pieces measuring 2 in. x 6 in. x 56 in. and two short pieces measuring 2 in. x 6 in. x 20-7/8 in. so that they form a rectangle.

STEP 2

Create the internal structure of the seat that will serve to support the top planks. To do so, first place two pieces of wood measuring 2 in. x 4 in. x 20-7/8 in. on each end of the frame and screw them into place. In order to know the correct height at which to screw the pieces of wood, use one of the top planks measuring 1 in. x 6 in. x 53 in. as a guide (the top plank should be level with the top of the frame). Next, attach the remaining pieces of wood measuring 2 in. x 4 in. x 20-7/8 in. at an equal distance (14 in.) apart on the interior of the frame to form the crossties.

Swing planks 

STEP 3

Using the drill and screws, attach the four top planks measuring 1 in. x 6 in. x 53 in. to the crossties to form the swing seat.

STEP 4

To construct the back of the swing, drill 7 holes at equal distance on one of the long sides of the 2 in. x 6 in. x 48 in. piece of wood. For the armrests, drill 3 holes at equal distance on the long side of the two pieces measuring 2 in. x 6 in. x 48 in. Leave a 1-1/2 in. space at the ends of each piece of wood.

**TIP**

To drill holes to the correct depth, measure the height of the rubber caps that will be used with the aluminum balusters. Transfer this measurement to the ¾ in. drill bit using masking tape. This mark will serve as a guide to create holes at the same depth.

STEP 5

At the base of the swing seat, make holes in the same locations as the previous step to perfectly align the back and the armrests. Using a drill and screws, attach the rubber caps to the marked locations.

STEP 6

With the pipe cutter, cut the aluminum bars to the required length to construct the armrests and the back. Altogether, you’ll need six balusters measuring 7-3/4 in. to make both armrests and seven balusters measuring 13-1/2 in. for the back.

STEP 7

Install the back and the armrests by inserting one baluster end into the hole in the wood and the other end over the rubber cap. Repeat for each baluster. For extra strength, apply construction adhesive to both ends before inserting the balusters.

STEP 8

Screw the hooks into each corner of the seat, positioned 3 in. from the front and back edges.

STEP 9

Attach two rings to a solid structure (beam, porch ceiling, etc.) 50 in. apart from each other. These will support the swing. Run a rope through one of the hooks on the swing seat and tie a tight knot. Next, run the rope through the one of the rings attached to the solid structure, and then attach the rope to the second hook on the same side of the swing seat once it is level and at the correct height. Repeat on the opposite side.

 

 

MAINTENANCE TIP

To protect your swing and give it a fresh look, cover it with an exterior stain designed specifically for treated wood!