How to Build a Wooden Yard Swing Frame With a Canopy

Lay one of the 2-inch-thick planks flat on the ground. Lay the second 2-inch-thick plank flat, and place this plank at a 60-degree angle to the rightmost short end of the first plank; the short end of the second plank must overlap the top flat edge of the first plank. Lay the third 2-inch plank flat, and place this plank at a 60-degree angle to the leftmost short end of the first plank; the short end of the third plank must overlap the top flat edge of the first plank.

Drill two holes through the area where the first and second planks meet, and insert screws into the holes. Tighten the screws so that the first plank is held securely to the second plank. Repeat this step for the first and third planks. This step will create the left-side A-frame for the yard swing

Lay the fourth 2-inch-thick plank flat on the ground. Lay the fifth 2-inch-thick plank flat, and place this plank at a 60-degree angle to the rightmost short end of the fourth plank; the short end of the fifth plank must overlap the top flat edge of the fourth plank. Lay the sixth 2-inch plank flat, and place this plank at a 60-degree angle to the leftmost short end of the fourth plank; the short end of the sixth plank must overlap the top flat edge of the fourth plank.

Drill two holes through the area where fourth and fifth planks meet, and insert screws into the holes. Tighten the screws so that the fourth plank is held securely to the fifth plank. Repeat this step for the fourth and sixth planks as well. This step will create the right-side A-frame for the yard swing.

Measure along the length of the seventh 2-inch plank and make a marking every 16 inches along the length of the plank. Use the miter saw to cut this plank into four 16-inch-long pieces of wood.

Place the first 16-inch piece of wood so that the top narrow edge of this piece of wood is 4 inches away from and parallel to the open angle of the left-side A-frame. Drill a hole through each leg of the A-frame where it overlaps the 16-inch piece of wood. Place a screw in each hole and tighten each screw so that it holds the 16-inch piece of wood firmly to both A-frame legs.

Place the second 16-inch piece of wood so that the top narrow edge of this piece of wood is 4 inches away from and parallel to the open angle of the right-side A-frame. Drill a hole through each leg of the A-frame where it overlaps this 16-inch piece of wood. Place a screw in each hole and tighten each screw so that it holds the 16-inch piece of wood firmly to both A-frame legs.

Place the left-side A-frame assembly on the ground to the left of the right-side A-frame assembly. Stand each A-frame up on edge so that the 16-inch pieces of wood are parallel to the ground and are facing each other; these pieces of wood will be the inside-facing supports of the swing frame. Balance the beam on the 16-inch pieces of wood attached to the A-frames, ensuring that the ends of the beam are approximately 4 inches from the outer edges of each A-frame. Attach the remaining 16-inch pieces of wood as outlined in the previous step so that each remaining 16-inch piece of wood is placed under the protruding edges of the beam on the outsides of the A-frame; this will give the beam extra support.

Measure the eighth 2-inch plank and mark the plank at 18-inch intervals. Set the miter saw angle at 45 degrees. Use the miter saw to cut two 18-inch pieces of wood; each piece must have a 45-degree angle at the end, and the angles must face in opposite directions.

Place the first 18-inch piece of wood facing inward against the flat side on the center of the 16-inch piece of wood on the left-side A-frame; place the other side of the 18-inch piece of wood against the beam. Drill a hole through both the 16-inch and 18-inch pieces of wood. Insert a screw into the hole and tighten the screw until the 16-inch and 18-inch pieces of wood are joined firmly together. Drill a hole through the 18-inch piece of wood and the beam and place a screw into this hole. Tighten the screw so that it holds the 18-inch piece of wood securely to the beam.

Place the second 18-inch piece of wood facing inward against the flat side on the center of the 16-inch piece of wood on the right-side A-frame; place the other side of the 18-inch piece of wood against the beam. Drill a hole through both the 16-inch and 18-inch pieces of wood. Insert a screw into the hole and tighten the screw until the 16-inch and 18-inch pieces of wood are joined firmly together. Drill a hole through the 18-inch piece of wood and the beam and place a screw into this hole. Tighten the screw so that it holds the 18-inch piece of wood securely to the beam.

Lay the first 1-inch plank flat on the top of the yard swing beam. Align one of the wide edges of this plank with the long back edge of the beam, and place the corner of this plank squarely against the inside of the left A-frame. Drill two holes through both the plank and the beam, and place screws into these holes. Tighten the screws so that the joint between the plank and beam is held firmly. Repeat this step for the second 1-inch plank on the right side of the swing frame.

Place the third 1-inch plank in the center of the beam so that it is parallel with the 1-inch planks attached to the beam on the left and right sides of the swing frame. Drill two holes through the plank and the beam and place screws into these holes. Tighten the screws so that the joint between the plank and beam is held firmly.

Use the paintbrush to apply a coating of wood glue to the tops of the 1-inch planks. Place the canopy material over the top of the 1-inch planks. Smooth out any wrinkles in the material by pulling it tight over the planks, and allow the glue to set. Trim off any excess canopy material once the glue has set.