Looking to build and install a garden swing for the kids

[headshot_harry]

Hi all,

First post here - sorry it is a question - but if you don't ask you don't learn!

I'm looking at installing a garden swing for the kids. Space is very tight, so looking for intelligent designs to minimise impact but still give something for the little ones (3 year old) to swing off.

I've seen this, and the design is perfect for what we need:



I have a lot of timber to use to create the posts, and I expect to bury it really very deep to create something sturdy.

My main questions is surrounding attaching the horizontal beam to the vertical beam? As in how? I have a load of coach bolts to use in the construction, but at the moment not sure on the right plan.... I'd appreciate some advice is possible?

Many thanks,

[ayjay]

I would use a long stub tenon on the post (to not expose the end grain on the top) and the same for the brace, (which will need pegging).

[headshot_harry]

Thank you Ayjay, will take a look at that approach.

[arco_iris]

That type of design will have to go into the ground a long way...... childrens's swings are normally mounted on double 'A' frames, this is to counteract the forces involved at the extent of the arc. OK, your child's only 3 - now - but is only going to grow bigger!

[headshot_harry]

Thanks - and yes, expect to mount it at least 1/3 of the total length in the ground - with a fairly wide hole.

Thoughts on adding some supporting pins / nails / something? sticking out of the post underground to be covered in the postcrete for extra support? Worth it or not really?

(for reference, I'm an IT guy, not a grounds expert lol - so some of the things I say may well be utterly stupid - so apologies for that in advance )

Thanks again,