Do-it-yourself garden swing made of wood, how to make it, drawings with photos and dimensions

A garden swing made of wood on a personal plot is fun entertainment for children and relaxing relaxation for adults. Ready-made models are usually standard, and they are not cheap. To fully express your creative potential, and at the same time save a considerable amount of money, you can make the design yourself. You will need at least a little skill in working with wood, the necessary tools and 1-2 free days. Step-by-step instructions will help you implement your plans quickly, accurately and as simply as possible.

Varieties of wooden swings

You can install various structures on your site:

• Children's mini swings that don't require much space. A chair or seat with a backrest is suspended on a horizontal beam, a strong tree branch or any strong support. The main thing is to minimize the risk of injury to the child from slipping and falling.
• “Nest” swing, where metal rings braided with cord or covered with fabric are used as a seat. You can make such structures with your own hands from a gymnastics hoop or a profile bent pipe.
• A swing-bench for several people to ride at the same time, reaching a length of 2-2.5 m. The materials are wood, metal, plastic or combinations thereof. To protect from rain and sun, install a canopy made of polycarbonate or waterproof awning fabric.
• A hanging ball chair is an original design in the form of a sphere with seating inside. In the traditional design, it is woven from flexible rattan. At home, bent metal tubes and durable plastic cord are used.

Showing your imagination, you can make a wooden swing with your own hands from anything. Home craftsmen use various items that have served their time - car tires, wicker baskets, old chairs, armchairs and even sofas.

How to make a cocoon swing

The cocoon swing is a unique shape and the fact that it evokes a feeling, an association with secluded relaxation.

A cocoon is made from different materials:

• welded, prefabricated metal structures;
• bent plastic, polypropylene pipes;
• rattan, wicker;
• natural synthetic twine.

This is not the entire list of materials from which the cocoon is made. The main thing is to make a strong frame. Metal hoops and arcs are decorated with different means. The metal is treated with coloring compounds and wrapped with twine or woven material. The main thing is to approach your work creatively.

Garden swing design, drawings

To indicate the scope of work and calculate the approximate consumption of materials, a drawing is drawn up, which you can do yourself or use a ready-made one from the Internet. For example, this simple option

The design is more complex with composite racks and jibs

Diagram of a swing with a canopy

Double swing for those who like challenging but interesting tasks

The design of a simple garden swing made of wood includes:

• supports made of timber, boards or cleaned round timber of small diameter, which can be A-, X- or U-shaped, with triangular or trapezoidal side elements;
• seats made of wooden planks with or without backrests, armrests;
• suspensions - chains, polypropylene ropes, ropes;
• fastening elements.

If a canopy is to be built, a light, durable frame will be built for mounting the roofing material.

All wooden elements are screwed together with bolts, self-tapping screws, or with additional gluing of the joints. In some connections, nails, staples, and overlays are used. Fasteners must be resistant to corrosion.

For garden swings, inexpensive lumber is usually used - pine, spruce. Larch has the greatest moisture resistance. It is used to make critical parts that are in direct contact with the ground.

Important. If the supports are not stable enough, it is recommended to concrete them to a depth of at least 0.5 m. The wood must first be treated against rotting and wrapped in waterproofing material - roofing felt, film.

For comfort, you can put pillows on the seat or sew soft, removable covers. A mosquito net will help protect you from flies and mosquitoes.

Unusual swing options

If you want to make something special for your children, we recommend that you pay attention to the unusual designs of homemade garden swings for the dacha. Their main difference is in the material, which is used either for the seat or for attaching the seat to the frame/wood.

You can create your own swing in the garden from tires, for example.

• An excellent option for a wicker round swing is a tire suspended from several fastenings using a rope or chain. In order to make such a structure, you will need to punch the tire right through and thread a rope or chain through the resulting holes, securing it.
• Another unusual swing option is floating benches . These are the most ordinary benches, suspended from a tree on ropes or chains. We recommend making such a garden swing from rattan or wicker and then hanging it by carabiners from the ceiling of your veranda or from a tree.

Another option is to make a swing in the shape of an object, such as a car or an airplane.

This design will take more time, but in the end your children will constantly play on them. To do this, you will need to spend a lot of time making individual parts, as well as connecting them together. However, the result will justify all your efforts.

Materials and tools

To build a wooden swing with your own hands, 3 m long with a 1.2 m bench and with A-shaped supports, you will need:

• for racks - 4 beams with a section of 100x100 mm and a length of 3 m;
• for the crossbar - 80x100 mm timber of the same length;
• for side lintels - board 32x100 or 40x100 mm, 6 m long;
• for the seat frame - a 50x50 mm block with a total length of 5 m;
• chain or rope for suspensions;
• for attaching suspensions and seats - carbines, ready-made rings, pieces of reinforcement or thick nails;
• stainless or galvanized fasteners - bolts, self-tapping screws, nails, linings;
• clamps, tools for cutting and sanding wood;
• drill, screwdriver;
• antiseptic impregnation, paints and varnishes;
• shovel, cement, sand, roofing felt (for concreting supports);
• tape measure, pencil, square.

Preparation

To make a swing you will need tools:

• welding unit;
• level;
• Bulgarian;
• hammer;
• vice;
• saw;
• roulette;
• shovel.

Building materials required:

• metal pipes;
• steel corner;
• bearings;
• cement;
• tree;
• dye;
• sand;
• crushed stone

But not all swings require such preparation - hanging ones can simply be attached to a strong branch of a large tree Source pinterest.ru
Instructions for work:

Markings are made in the selected area. Using a garden drill, make four holes in the ground. Supports are installed in them. Particular attention is paid to this stage; the safety of the entire structure completely depends on the strength and reliability of the frame.

A grinder is used to make pipe blanks of the required sizes: side posts - 4 pcs., for the crossbar - 1 pc., for stiffening lines - 2 pcs. All parts need to be processed, bumps removed and sharp edges cleaned.

The swing stands are welded to the base itself, and a crossbar is placed at the top.

Two triangle-shaped posts are attached to a large rectangular base Source pinterest.com

The base is carefully covered with crushed stone and filled with concrete. The cement should harden within five days.

After this, brackets for the moving mechanism are installed on the crossbar.

It is better to make the seat from wood; sanded timber is suitable. The base is made of metal.

The chair must be secured on four sides; it is installed on suspensions.

The entire completed structure is reliably protected from moisture using paint.

You can make a visor and stretch strong fabric over the frame.

See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in garden furniture.

Selecting a location

Before you make a garden swing from wood with your own hands, you need to choose the right place on the site:

• the site must be level for easy installation of supports, with a comfortable and safe surface;
• the structure can be placed next to a barbecue, oven or barbecue, but avoid sparks from open fire;
• maintain a safe distance from buildings, poles, trees, fences.

To protect the recreation area from rain, wind or sun, install a canopy or install the structure on a covered terrace or veranda. A garden swing looks very organic, surrounded by climbing plants, under a spreading shady tree, near a small pond that can be dug out by hand.

Decoration and arrangement

A wooden swing for relaxation can be decorated in various ways. These can be either decorative pillows thrown on the seats or intricate carvings along the edges of the beams. Lamps next to swings, including floor ones, look especially impressive.

There are options to experiment with the rope - perhaps it can be braided with something bright.

Wooden swing: step by step instructions

Before you make a garden swing from wood, you need to prepare the lumber - plan it until smooth, treat it with antiseptics, and cut it to size according to the drawing. If you have an electric planer or a hand router, chamfer the edges of the parts. This operation will allow you to avoid scratches or splinters during assembly and further operation of the structure.

Chamfering with an electric plane

Frame making

If the supports are to be concreted, the production of the racks begins with processing the upper ends of the beams. To do this, they are cut at an angle, using a square or template for marking. A horizontal crossbar will later be attached along the cutting line.

This node can be solved in various ways. The support beam is attached to the posts along the cutting line as in the photo

You can place the beam directly on the ends of the posts and secure it firmly

If the supports are connected below, the horizontal beam is laid at the intersection point in the resulting nest

The inclined posts are fastened together with boards in 2-3 places. They provide rigidity and serve for uniform load transfer.

If the supports are sufficiently stable, you can do without concreting. The side posts are cut along the bottom edge, having calculated in advance the angle of the beams at the top point, and then the joints of the semi-assembled structure are adjusted in place.

Assembling side supports from two boards with intermediate reinforcing ties

The crossbar is mounted “on edge” to provide the necessary bending strength. They are secured to the posts with through connections using bolts and washers. Additionally, the joints can be reinforced with galvanized or wooden overlays and staples.

When concreting, the lower part of the supports is wrapped with roofing felt and installed in pre-dug (or drilled with a hand drill) holes. A layer of crushed stone and sand is poured onto the bottom. The structure is fixed and the base is poured with concrete.

How to make a swing seat from wood

A 50x50 mm block is sawn into 60 cm long pieces. The height of the back and the width of the bench will be the same. The ends adjacent to each other are cut at a slight angle to give an anatomically comfortable shape - you can sit on such a seat, reclining slightly.

The frame elements are connected to each other with bolts or joined “together” and the fastening points are reinforced with glue and overlays. For a seat 1.2 m long, the bars are installed in increments of 40 cm.

The connection “to the paw” is performed as follows:

1. A rectangular or trapezoidal section is cut out at the ends of the timber.
2. Coat the joint planes with glue.
3. Connect in 2 mutually perpendicular directions.
4. Additionally, they are tightened with bolts, wood rivets or self-tapping screws.

Photo of how to make swing seats from wood

Planks are attached to the seat frame

Armrests are installed on the side of the bench at such a height that you can comfortably rest your hand. In addition to comfort when riding, they serve as protection against sideways falls.

Assembly of the structure

When the wooden supports of the garden swing are ready and stand securely on the ground, we begin to assemble the entire structure. First, strong suspensions (chains, ropes, ropes) are attached to the seat.

This can be done in various ways:

• Drill holes in the bars, thread a chain or rope through them and place the hangers under the seat. Tie the ends with a strong knot or secure
• Hammer nails into the side elements of the frame and make eyelets from them, then secure the hangers with carabiners or rings.
• Use ready-made eye bolts with threads.

Then the upper ends of the hangers are attached to the crossbar. This node can be solved in different ways:

• Buy ready-made fasteners designed specifically for such structures. It is installed using the provided mounting plate with holes, then a rope or chain is threaded into the ring.
• Use a powerful hinged bolt or a pin with a bent end, insert it into the hole drilled in the beam, and secure with a nut and washer;
• Instead of a hairpin, you can take a piece of reinforcement or large nails and cut threads at their ends.
• Wrap a strong chain around the crossbar several turns and secure with wire or a ring.

Another way to attach hangers

Important. To distribute forces evenly, wood fasteners are used together with washers. This protects soft wood from destruction as a result of dynamic loads.

In swings designed for light weight users, the role of fastenings can be played by the suspensions themselves. To do this, form loops at the ends of the rope and use them to secure the seat. The bench is suspended at a height of 40-60 cm from the ground. A higher or lower position is uncomfortable for placing your feet while riding.

DIY finishing of a wooden swing

The wooden swing itself is quite colorful for the design of a personal plot. Decorative techniques will help you achieve greater effect:

• tinting to resemble noble types of wood followed by varnishing in several layers;
• painting with compounds that harmonize in color with other buildings;
• artistic wood carving;
• antique stylization or fairy-tale plot;
• design of side pillars with grilles;
• making an arched canopy from bright polycarbonate or making it in the form of a gable “tower”;
• hanging pots with beautiful flowering plants;
• laying LED strip along the frame for illumination at night;
• use of textiles, pillows, removable covers.

You can decorate the swing using a manual or programmable tabletop router. The figured details look very impressive, giving the design an elegant look.

Bench with milled back

Even the simplest wooden swing, painted in bright colors or decorated with multi-colored lanterns, will become the “highlight” of the garden and a source of pride for the owner.

Creative ideas

Most people prefer to make a classic garden swing with their own hands from metal or wooden beams. If the design is created for children, it is worth considering the design taking into account their hobbies.

For boys, the theme of airplanes, cars and other vehicles is relevant; girls will like decorations in the form of ribbons and flowers.

Thanks to a wide variety of ideas, you can make a beautiful swing with an original appearance. To produce a simple seat, you can use a regular car tire. Using hangers, the tire is attached to a tree branch or a ready-made support. The result is a stylish garden decoration.

Unusual swings made from pallets are extremely popular. There are single-seat models and large sun loungers, which are full-fledged places to relax. Comfortable seats are made from wooden circles, punching bags, and fitness balls.

It is important to remember that the amplitude of movement in this case will be quite high.

A convenient children's model is made from a hoop suspended on chains. The seat is wrapped with foam rubber or other soft filler and tied with ropes. Large seats are comfortable for sleeping, relaxing, lying down. The designs are distinguished by their spectacular appearance and have no age restrictions.

The swing bed performs a decorative function and has a wide range of functionality. The model is used for relaxation, sleep, various activities, and outdoor games. Suspended structures are fixed between posts or trees; products with a frame move freely around the garden or summer cottage.

Forged swings have an attractive appearance. Original patterns, smooth lines, metal elements are in harmony with almost any design of the site.

How to care for a wooden swing

The tree is subject to the destructive effects of many unfavorable factors. Fluctuations in temperature and humidity cause wood to crack. Sun rays provoke photoaging. Woodworms gnaw through numerous passages, and mold and fungi quickly render wooden structures unusable.

Regular care will help protect against all this:

• impregnation with antiseptic solutions;
• treatment with waterproof paints;
• varnishing with compositions for external use.

Events should be carried out at least once every 1.5-2 years.

Important. If possible, it is advisable to place the structure in a dry room for the winter, for example, a garage or shed. This will greatly extend the life of the garden swing.

Selection of covers, mattresses and pillows

Covers for swings are most often chosen in bright colors - there is no mistake in this, but it is worth considering that the material may fade in air. It is best to select fabric for a garden swing from those that are considered waterproof (like tarpaulin or raincoat fabric).

There is no chance that you will always carry the pillows into the house on time, and with tarpaulins the rain will not be so bad, and it will be much easier to dry them later.

Pay attention to the fact that people will come into contact with the fabric, and not just natural factors - in order to make sitting on a swing not only comfortable, but also pleasant, you need to make sure that the fabric contains natural raw materials - for example , cotton or viscose.

The dimensions of the cover should be 3-4 mm larger than the dimensions of the seat so that you can adjust the cover. To attach the cover to the bottom of the wooden seat, we recommend using a construction stapler.

Combined swing

Very often, swings on personal plots have a combined design - the supports are made of profile steel pipe, and the comfortable seat is made of wood. This option has certain advantages: the metal is less susceptible to moisture and, with proper care, lasts a very long time.

Steel profiles do not rot or crack. Assembly is possible both with bolts and welding. The strength of the steel frame allows it to withstand high loads. A swing with a wooden seat and metal elements decorated with openwork forging looks very impressive.

Which breed is better to choose for a swing?

• Builders recommend paying attention to coniferous species (larch, pine) - they are strong and not susceptible to cracks, in addition, they suffer less from insect attacks.
• Consider the fact that some species of coniferous trees can be subject to rot, which can be combated locally by covering the fungus-affected areas with a special antiseptic (pinotex has proven itself well).
• Oak is considered an excellent raw material for buildings of any type, but it has a significant drawback - the high price of raw materials. However, it is very durable, massive and quite easy to work with when decorating.

Another option would also be to build a swing from linden - it is rarely used for large buildings, because it does not have a sufficient degree of protection from the cold, however, for a swing this factor does not play a significant role.

The material itself looks attractive, while possessing the necessary level of strength.

Folding swing

This design option will allow you to use the swing not only for a seat, but also as a comfortable wide bed. The bench is made of 2 independent parts, which are connected to each other via hinges.

To unfold the swing, remove the chain from the side eyes and fix it in the new position. A spacious and comfortable relaxation device is ready.

Swing-folding bed

Children's swing manufacturing features

Single swings come in stationary and portable types. The first option is more reliable; they cannot be turned over. Portable ones can be removed.

Various elements are used to decorate children's swings: cars, fairy-tale characters. It is better to choose a stronger support and crossbar to ensure safety.

A rope swing is suitable for a small child.

Children's rope swings should be selected according to the age of the child Source laclinicadesign.com

Log swing

Exercises on a log swing are very useful for the physical development of children. The simplest design, similar to a swing scale, consists of a support and a log swinging on it.

You can use a section of the same log as a support post. The rotation unit is made of a metal rod and washers. To help children hold on, small wooden handrails are attached to the swing.

The prepared parts are assembled very quickly. It takes very little effort, but the end result is laughter and joy for children.

Simple and fun fun - log swing

Rack locations

There are ready-made diagrams for working with swing supports for a dacha with your own hands; they can be easily found on the Internet in a video version or as illustrative examples. All sorts of materials are offered for constructing a frame, but most people trust massive logs or high-quality timber in this matter.

Among the varieties, one can distinguish both designs with a lower frame and without it, but both versions are quite famous among carpentry connoisseurs. For a tight fit to the ground, auxiliary supports are added, nailed with pins; if the base is quite strong and stable, then you can do without them.

Swing gazebo with table

The holiday option for a large group is quite difficult to manufacture. The swing consists of a durable frame with a canopy, 2 benches, a table and a movable platform. Thanks to the hinged mounts, even a child can swing the structure.

To make the frame, planed smooth logs or strong beams with a section of 100x100 mm, 150x150 mm are used. The tabletop and seats with backrest are made of 25 mm thick boards. Hinges are located in places where furniture is attached to the platform, as well as at the points of intersection of horizontal planes with vertical structures. This method ensures the stability of all objects on the table - water in glasses does not spill even with strong rocking.

Photo of a hybrid of a swing and a gazebo.

Buying Tips

This chapter is especially for those who have already decided to make an expensive purchase, but do not know how to avoid being led by scammers and want to buy a truly high-quality product. We read and remember.

The swing test should begin by checking its rigidity. Try to loosen the structure. Determine how stable it is, how tightly the parts fit. Believe me, if the structure already seems sloppy, then over time it will completely turn into junk.

Take a closer look at the construction material. Reputable companies use pipes, while “handicraftsmen” use profiles. Along the way, take a closer look at the bends. They should not be reinforced in any way. Various additional plates there say that “garage” technologies were used in production, since the factory bend easily withstands a load of 300 kg, which is enough for a swing.

Next, look at what the chains are attached to. Special lugs must be provided for them. A rope thrown over a beam or a chain threaded directly through a pipe is again a sure sign of “handicraft”.

Now about painting. Factory products are coated with a powder material, while scammers use acrylic varnish or synthetic enamel. Moisten a piece of cloth with cellulose solvent and lightly rub the frame with it. If there is paint left on the rag, there is no smell of powder coatings, which means it’s not worth buying this swing.

Raise the pillows and look at what they are lying on. Ideally, this should be a shell mesh. Well, in the worst case, welded, but certainly not canvas. The latter is used only in the cheapest models.

Speaking of the pillows themselves. Avoid products with polyurethane chips. They are very short-lived and wear out quickly. Brands use only solid solid sheets, which will last for decades.

It's more difficult with covers. So, dralon fades under ultraviolet light, but it lasts for years. Cotton is not very durable, but it is more pleasant to the touch and is not afraid of sunlight. Here everyone is their own adviser.

A canopy is much easier to deal with. If it's polyester, that's good. Mesh polyethylene - we pass by. It won't survive even three seasons.

Be sure to check that the swing comes with a mosquito net. If you miss this point, you will buy mosquito protection separately, and even think about how to attach it later.

Last but not least, check the comfort of the product. There are different supports in the armrests, backrest mobility. You may be surprised, but if your swing has successfully passed all the previous “nitpicking”, then the manufacturer has probably taken care of the pleasant little things.

Pros and cons of homemade log swings

Wood is considered a popular building material. To decide whether such a swing should be made, it is worth considering its positive and negative sides.

Pros:

1. Logs for construction are more often available than lumber. Treated lumber is more expensive, and it is not always possible to buy it nearby. If the dacha is located near a forest or planting, logs are obtained for free by cutting down a couple of dry trees.
2. Wood is a natural, environmentally friendly material. The self-assembled structure is completely safe for children.
3. If the wood is well treated, varnished, and stained, the swing will turn out much more beautiful than a metal structure.
4. Wooden swings still have many advantages, but you also need to know about the disadvantages:
5. Wood, compared to metal, requires frequent maintenance throughout the life of the product.
6. To make a structure with your own hands, you will need long, even logs 10-15 cm thick. Finding material with such parameters is sometimes problematic.
7. Wood weakly resists the influence of harmful environmental factors. Under the sun, rain, snow, the material disappears. Logs may crack. Moisture gets into the cracks and they begin to rot. Damage to wood is caused by temperature changes and grinder beetles.

Despite the existing shortcomings, a DIY log garden swing will last from 5 to 10 years. During this time, the children will have time to grow up, and the structure may no longer be needed.

Operation and care

In order for swings made and used in a summer cottage to last for several years, they need proper care, as well as compliance with special operating conditions:

• It is advisable to place a swing made of logs under a canopy that shelters the structure from rain;
• In the cold season, it is best to hide collapsible products in a dry place if possible;
• It is recommended to treat the surface of the wood with an antiseptic before autumn or open it with a transparent wax stain. This procedure is carried out annually;
• Varnished swings must be renewed every 2 years. To do this, the old layer of varnish is removed using fine-grained sandpaper. After this, the wood is impregnated with an antiseptic, dried and varnished. The varnish must be applied in several thin layers;
• It is not recommended to place fire sources near wooden swings, as well as install frame structures and swing-scales near sources of constant moisture.

It is unacceptable to cover the structure with polyethylene. Since wood is a breathable material, by covering it tightly with a film, the moisture contained in it will not be able to escape. This will lead to a greenhouse effect and rapid rotting of the wood.

Ready-made drawings with dimensions and photos

A drawing of a swing seat will help you create your own version, which you can develop yourself or download from our website.

Garden swing using forging method

Forged products are distinguished by their special unique beauty. This is not only a swing, but also a luxury item. They look quite harmonious in any corner of the country yard. Emphasizing the excellent taste of the owners. They are a work of art. The products are quite expensive.

If the surface is coated with protective varnish or paint, the service life will last for several decades.

You can complement the overall look with other forged products: benches, arches or gazebos.

Swing with forging elements Source micon.md