How to Build a Swing Set Out of Cedar Logs

This accessible platform cedar log swing set makes social time possible between generations and permits adults and children with mobility differences to share the same play and leisure space. The angled legs support a heavy-duty ridge pole. The social interaction swing platform hangs from two heavy-duty eye rings. A rounded knob on the platform safety barrier access handle makes opening and closing the front safety barrier easy for all.

8-feet by 4-inch by 4-inch squared-end cedar log ridge pole
4 6-feet by 4-inch diameter cedar log leg poles, squared at one end
2 4-feet by 4-inch diameter cedar log support braces
6 ductile iron wood beam swing hangers
Box of 3/8-inch diameter bolts with fender washers and acorn nuts
6-inch long, 1/4-inch diameter wood screws
Table saw with miter fence
Mortise and tenon jigs
Power drill, 3/8-inch diameter drill bit
3/8-inch diameter bolts
2 pair swing set A-frame brackets
Carpenter's glue
7-feet by 6-feet by 1-inch thick plywood sheet for swing platform
4 1-inch by 6-inch by 7-feet safety barrier boards

Instructions

- 1
  
  Plane one end of each of the legs of the swing set square and attach the legs to the ridge pole using a pair of A-frame brackets and the manufacturer-supplied hardware.
- 2
  
  Attach one ductile iron wood beam swing hanger one foot from each end of the underside of the ridge pole using 3/8-inch diameter, 5-inch long bolts with fender washers and acorn nuts.
- 3
  
  Cut tenons onto the ends of the support braces and matching mortises in the leg poles. Apply carpenter's glue inside each mortise. Slide the braces into place. Attach the side support logs to the A-frame using 6-inch long, 1/4-inch diameter wood screws through the poles and into the tenons of the support braces.
- 4
  Butt two 1-inch thick by 36-inch by 7-feet sheets of plywood together. Attach them to one another using four 2-inch by 4-inch by 6-feet lengths of stock lumber and 3-inch long, 3/8-inch diameter carriage bolts with fender washers and acorn nuts.
- 5
  Trim two inches off two of the 1-inch by 6-inch by 7-feet safety barrier boards. Set the boards on their 1-inch edge, flush with the sides and corners of the plywood sheet. Attach using 1/4-inch diameter, 2-inch long wood screws through the bottom of the plywood sheet, up into the safety barrier boards. Butt the rear safety barrier board against the edges of the platform and the side barriers and attach it using 1/4-inch diameter, 2-inch long wood screws.
- 6
  
  Attach the front safety barrier to the platform using a 2-inch wide, 6-feet long marine quality piano hinge with #6 screws. Attach hook and eye latches on each side of the front swing set barrier to hold it closed when in use.
- 7
  Attach a ductile iron wood beam swing set hanger in each corner of the swing platform. Measure the chain so that the swing hangs just two inches off the ground. Attach covered swing chains between the two end hangers on the left side and the left swing hanger on the ridge pole. Repeat for the right end platform hangers and the right ride pole hanger.
- 8
  Build five feet long, 18-inch high, 15-inch deep bench storage seats on each side of the swing platform so that the entire family can use the cedar log swing set together.

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