Homemade Playset Slide

Use the stakes to mark the location where each post will be placed in the ground. The platform of the slide will be 48 inches by 48 inches, so the corner posts should measure 48 inches apart from the outside edge of one corner post to the outside edge of another corner post. Take time to make sure the stakes are in a straight line.

Use the post hole digger to dig a hole that is at least 2 feet deep at each of the stake locations.

Fill the bottom of each hole with 6 inches of crushed gravel. Place the post in the hole and fill the space around the post with quick setting cement. Brace each post to hold it in place until the cement has the chance to set up. The cement should be allowed to set for four hours before any weight is placed on the posts.

Measure 41 inches from the ground up on the posts with a measuring tape and make a mark. Cut two pieces of 2 inch by 4 inch lumber to 48 inches. Cut two pieces of 2 inch by 4 inch lumber to 52 inches.

Position a piece of 48 inch by 2 inch by 4 inch lumber to the posts that will be the front side of the slide. The top of the board should be even with the mark at 41 inches. Use a level to make sure the board is level and then secure it in place with a drill and wood screws. Repeat this step with the other 48 inch 2 by 4 on the backside of the slide.

Position a piece of 52 inch by 2 inch by 4 inch lumber so that the top of the board is lined up with the 41-inch mark on the side posts. Use a level to ensure the level across, and use a drill and wood screws to secure the board to the posts. The end of these boards should be flush with the top of the 48-inch board that was secured to the front and back of the slide platform.

Cut 1 inch by 4 inch lumber to 48 inches, and position the boards across the frame of the platform. Leave a half-inch space between the boards for drainage. Secure the boards to the platform frame with wood screws and a drill.

Cut 2 inch by 4 inch lumber to the length of 48 inches and use wood screws to secure it around the top of the posts to create the top railing. The top of the boards should be flush with the top of the posts.

Cut two 2 inch by 4 inch lumber to 48 inches and secure it to the posts just on top of the platform deck boards on the sides that won't have the slide or steps connected to the platform. Use wood screws and a drill to secure the boards in place.

Position the top end of the slide on the platform and measure how much space is left on either side of the slide. Cut two pieces of 2 inch by 4 inch board to these measurements, and secure them in place with wood screws and a drill.

Cut 1 inch by 4 inch lumber to 30 inches, which is the distance between the top and bottom rail of the slide deck. Attach the boards so that the top end of the board is flush with the top of the top railing. Position the boards 2 inches apart. Use wood screws to secure the boards in place.

Double check the location of the top end of the slide on the platform. Use a quarter-inch drill bit to drill through the mounting locations on the slide and through the deck board underneath. Secure the slide in place with smooth top carriage bolts that are inserted through the top of the drilled holes. Secure the bolts in place with nuts on the underside of the slide deck.

Attach the 2 inch by 4 inch stringers to the deck support joist with 45 degree metal deck hangers. The stringers should be positioned 14 ½ inches apart. Attach the steps to the stringers using metal hangers under each step and wood screws to secure the hangers and steps in place.