Backyard swingset project... Complete!

The little boy is getting bigger, seems much faster than it should be... He will be 3 years old in a few weeks.

Decided it's time to build his clubhouse swing set. It took a few days only having a couple hours each evening after work and half of yesterday to complete.

Let me tell you when you build things for a living (as I do) it isn't very often that you get to actually build something for fun and enjoyment. I get double the fun this summer as we are building a large covered patio in a couple weeks. Really looking forward to that.

I sketched it up last weekend and went to Lowes to purchase my materials (this wasn't a kit) and got started a couple days later.

First photo I have, the clubhouse is framed. It is 6'x6' and 10' tall. I framed this on the driveway then had my brother come over and help me carry it to the backyard where it will stay.



Here it is in place where I then cut and installed the deck boards. I used 5 quarter board for the deck planking.



Next came installing the hand rail using 2x4 and laying out the balusters, I again used the 5 quarter board.



Next came laying out the A frame ladder / steps and installing it and the slide and its supports. I used 2X4's for this.



My wife missed a couple photo sequences here where I framed the A frame ridge board end support, laid out and installed all of the hardware for the swings and started stick framing the truss system. The ridge board is a 16' 4X6 and the truss system is made of 2x4. The A frame end supports are 4X4.

Sorry fellas for the shirtless photo.



Here I finished the truss system, I laid the 2X4's on their side rather than stand them up for extra head clearance. I used 2 feet of total rise on the trusses, that gives 7' of standing clearance in the center of the clubhouse and 5' on the two edges.



Here it is with the roof installed, I used Ondura red ridge roofing.



If any of you guys are thinking about putting one up for your kids, do it... The smiles make it all worth it!

 

The only thing left, is I am going to lag a 2x6 on each side of the ridge board that the swings hang from for extra support since there is so many holes drilled through that 4X6.

I also have room for one more swing or other attachment.

 

What???? No horizontal ladder? LOL Cool project and I know you had fun. Question .... just for fun. I'm looking at the riding critter and swings and all. So how much did you spend.... not counting your time because that was done out of love and fun. How much would a comparible purchased kit cost? That's just like the one my brother bought for his grand kids.... only your's looks to be a whole lot better. LOL Nice job dad. That should get you some points.... unless of course the little woman figures you do it every day. LOL

P.S. Looking at the 5th picture..... you need to work on your upper body. LOL Your pectorals are getting flabby.LOL

 

I have $595 in the whole thing. I did get a killer deal on the slide though, I paid a buddy $20 for it, they run $120 at lowes. But anyone could go into Lowes and buy this exact same set up for $700. That is sales tax included. Kits that are not near this big, or with this quality of materials are 1K to 2K. I looked at the kits before I sketeched this up and LMAO.... Someone is making some serious cash on the kit markups!

With him just shy of 3 years old, I decided to hold off on the rope ladders. I have it set up so I could build anything I want off of the left hand side... Rope ladders, monkey bars anything.

Flabby pecs... I am 6' and about 160-165 pounds... Very little flab on me

 

That turned out really good. He will have fun with that for years to come.

 

I didn't say flabby.... you need muscle tone for a young stud. LOL i JERKITH THY CHAIN.

 

Nice work, I remember building ours. He will get many years of fun out of it.

 

Great looking setup. I used to build these with my dad every summer to sell. It would take us one solid day of work, and they would sell for 1-1.5k with 500 in materials. Dad did it to teach me how to use tools and the common sense steps that go along with building things. Like you pointed out, the kits are ridiculously expensive!

 

Awesome buckeye! You've got one happy camper there

 

That is awesome, Scott! Way to go, Dad!

 

Great job Scott. I love these kinds of threads, thanks for sharing. I'd also love to see pics of the patio project if you have time, I'm looking at doing one of those projects myself soon and would love to see how you plan to do yours.

 

Where is the steering wheel and spyglass? Great job though!

 

That's a good dad!!

 

Very cool, Scott. Nice job!

 

Nice job! Looks like he's already loving it.

 

Looking good man! Crazy to think that your son is almost 3 already. My how the time flies!

 

Good job DAD, jr. looks happy and that's what counts.

 

Looks good!

 

Looks great! Those 4x4s looked soaked...you can always count on that from the big box stores.

 

Nice Scott.....I've been procrastinating on ours. Being that my brother and I put houses on this property, there's twice the budget for a joint play area. I just haven't figured out what it is yet. The boy looks like he's growing well. Mine's growing too fast as well.