Supplies Needed to Build a Wooden Swing Set

Tools and Frame Hardware

• To build a simple wooden frame, you will need a shovel and an electric drill with large bits, along with a wrench or socket set to tighten bolts. You also may need a ladder, depending on the height of the swings.

  The frame will require four long bolts to attach the support poles to the crossbeam, and four smaller bolts to attach the cross braces to the support poles.

  For two swings, buy four heavy eye bolts that you can screw or bolt into the crossbeam. Get four shackles--an oval link with a pin that can be unscrewed and screwed back to close the link. Those will attach the swing chains to the eye bolts.

Frame Material

• Obtain four pressure-treated support poles, each about 9 feet long and 3 inches in diameter. To fit two swings, get a pressure-treated crossbeam 8 feet long and about 4 inches in diameter. Also buy two cross braces--2x4 lumber will work--each about 3 feet long.

  To keep the poles secure in the ground, get enough quick-drying concrete mix to fill four holes, each 10 inches in diameter and 2 1/2 feet deep.

Swings

• Many home improvement stores sell pre-made swing seats, which may be safer for a young child who needs to be strapped in. You can make simpler seats with additional lumber and hardware.

  Obtain four or five feet of 2x10 pressure-treated lumber to be sawed into two seats. Get enough 3/16 inch chain to divide into four parts, each long enough to go from the crossbeam eye hooks to the level of the swing seat.

  To complete the swings, you will need four smaller eye bolts to screw or bolt into the top side of the seat for the chains, and four smaller shackles to connect the chains and the seat eyebolts.

  Use sandpaper to smooth the seats and eliminate splinters.