We make a rocking chair swing from wood with our own hands. Do-it-yourself garden swing made of wood for giving - everything you wanted to know! Garden swing: photo

Separately, it is worth noting the division of structures also according to the material of their manufacture. Garden swings made of metal are gaining more and more popularity, since with the relative lightness of the swing, the durability of its service is ensured by the strength of the material. In addition, the metal does not require special care.

There are also plastic constructions. Their advantage is low price and ease of installation. However, this option can only be bought to ensure the rest of preschool children, since the tensile strength of plastic is quite low.

The classic option is a garden swing made of wood. The tree fits perfectly into the decor of any garden plot. Depending on the complexity of the design and the high cost of the breed, the swing can be either the simplest or the premium class.

Features of independent construction of a swing

If the owner of a summer cottage, when visiting a garden furniture store, did not come across a sale on a swing, most likely without a discount and the opportunity to buy this design inexpensively, he will have a desire to build it on his own. For such situations, it is important to know the algorithm of actions and the list of necessary tools.

Roughly speaking, the whole process of building a garden swing on the site can be divided into three main stages. These include:

• Selection of model and location on the site
• Purchase of components
• Do-it-yourself step-by-step construction of a swing

Let us consider in detail the listed stages using the example of the process of building a swing-bench on an A-shaped frame for the whole family.

Selection of a swing model and a place on the site

From the choice of one or another type of garden swing, the installation process will change. Therefore, before proceeding to the next steps, it is worth reading reviews about different models and types of construction, as well as studying photos and drawings on the network in order to be able to assess your strengths.

After the choice of model is made, it is important to think over and prepare in advance the place where the structure will be placed. It is desirable that this be a site located in a recreation area, if any. The shade of trees, an open area freed from thorny bushes, and the presence of flowers will only come in handy.

Purchase of components

To build a wooden swing-bench in the garden, you will need an extensive list of tools. As a rule, when the owner of the site decides to independently work on the installation of the structure, he has most of the tools. The general list of necessary purchases will look like:

• Bars with a diameter of 10-15 cm and a length of up to 3 m - 4 pcs.
• Beam with a diameter of 8 cm.
• Beam with a diameter of 4-5 cm.
• Ten to fifteen boards (pine, birch, etc.) 10 cm x 2.5 cm x 250 cm.
• One board of the same breed 15 cm x 5 cm x 300 cm.
• One hundred self-tapping screws 80 x 4.5.
• A pack (200 pieces) of self-tapping screws 51x3.5.
• Four eyebolts.
• Two welded chains with a thickness of 0.5 cm and a length along the height of the structure.
• Two galvanized screws with rings 12x100.
• Lacquer or paint.
• Saw.
• Drill.
• Screwdriver or screwdriver.
• Shovel or hand drill.
• Brushes.
• Roulette, level.

Garden swing: do-it-yourself step-by-step construction

When the location of the garden swing is selected and cleared, and all the necessary tools and materials are purchased, you can proceed to the direct construction. First of all, the required number of parts is prepared. So, from boards with parameters of 10 cm x 2.5 cm x 250 cm, planks of one and a half meters long are sawn off for the future bench. For a seat half a meter wide, 5-6 boards will be enough, for a backrest 4-5.

A wide board 15 cm x 5 cm x 300 cm is sawn into 6 equal parts, which will serve as crossbars for fastening the boards of the back (3 segments) and seat (3 segments) of the bench. The cross boards are interconnected with self-tapping screws at an angle that should be at the bench (120 °). Then, the boards of the bench itself are attached to the resulting base. In order not to damage the wood, it is better to pre-drill holes for self-tapping screws with a drill.

Lastly, armrests are installed, which are made of timber with a diameter of 4-5 cm and scraps from the board.

The width of the planned bench is 50 cm, and the length is 150 cm. If desired, these indicators can be changed in any direction, the main thing is to correctly calculate the load.

After the manufacture of the bench, a swing frame is installed, the width of which, according to construction standards, must exceed the width of the bench by half a meter, at least. Therefore, at a distance of a meter from each other, recesses are dug or drilled under the beams of the supports on each side. The depth of the pits should be at least a meter, where 30% of the space will be occupied by a crushed stone base, and the remaining 70% by frame bars.

Bars are installed in the recesses and connected at an angle in the middle of the section. A crossbar is installed between pairs of bars. To fix the strength of the structure, corners are installed in the corners of the connection of the crossbar with the supports, and at a distance of 25 cm from the top and 30 cm from the bottom of the A-shaped frame, a screed is carried out with boards.

Once the frame is installed and adjusted using the building level, you can proceed with the installation of the bench. To do this, a chain is fixed at the base of the armrest and frame of the bench on both sides with the help of eyebolts.

Before attaching to the bench, chain segments are threaded into rings. Then, the whole structure is attached to the crossbar with galvanized screws.

The final stage of the installation of a garden swing in a summer cottage is to check the strength of all connections and decoration. If desired, at the top of the frame, you can build an awning that will protect vacationers from both the scorching summer sun and precipitation.

It is also worth paying attention to the protection of wood from external factors. Therefore, the entire structure must be treated with impregnation against insect pests, and then coated with varnish or paint intended for external work.

Properly installed garden swings will last for many years. And their independent construction will help save a significant amount of money.

Solid, suitable for the general style of the landscape, a wooden swing in a summer cottage is a joy for children and adults. Purchased public models usually do not differ in quality and variety. It is much more interesting and useful to approach the process on your own and make a country swing, giving your site a unique flavor. After all, there is nothing particularly difficult in this.

Wooden swings are divided into three main types:

• • frame, standing on stationary supports (classic version);

Frame swing

• • hanging on ropes or cables, such as "bungee";

Suspended swing, "bungee"

• swing-"scales" or balancing. This type of swing is for two.

Any model is played up in such a way that all the neighbors will envy, and the household will choose their favorite corner of the garden or yard.

Where to place?

If the choice is made in favor of the classic "bungee", we hang it on the nearest tree, which inspires confidence in terms of strength. When choosing a place for other types of structures, it is reasonable to consider the following factors:

• sufficient distance from walls, fences, trees, wires, thorny bushes and pointed objects;
• illumination. It is desirable that the sun hit the site until the evening. So the wooden material is insured against dampness;
• it is better to immediately pick up a smooth surface relief so that you do not have to carry out additional work;
• the place should not be "blown through with all the winds." Drafts are fraught with quick colds.

It is good if there is sand or a soft lawn under the swing. This will help in the event of a fall not to get serious injury on a stone or rebar.

Drawing

You can do without it. But if a serious project is conceived with a claim to long-term service, then it is better to prepare a drawing of a swing for reasons of saving material. Designing a homemade swing is not difficult.

General provisions that reflect the drawings of a garden swing made of logs:

• frame structure;
• sizes. For a swing, this is the height and area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe base;
• places of fastenings and reinforcing elements should be marked;
• number of seats and their type;
• the length of the suspensions and their type.

An example of a drawing of a wooden swing

Material selection

It is important to focus on the quality of the material from which the swing will be made. High-quality wood will not only ensure the durability of the structure, but also guarantee the safety of use.

Species such as cedar, oak and larch will not deceive expectations. Spruce, pine and birch are also strong enough.

Lumber must be chosen dry, without traces of mold or foci of decay. There should be no falling knots, crevices, holes made by pests. A large volume is not required for a wooden swing, so you can check every board and beam.

Instruments

To make a wooden swing you will need:

A strong branch

• mix for concrete mortar;
• nails, self-tapping screws, bolts, corners (in accordance with the project);
• tape measure and plumb;
• hacksaw;
• a hammer;
• antiseptic for processing wooden parts;
• grinder (or drill with a nozzle);
• screwdriver

This is the main arsenal. When everything is ready (material, drawings and tools), we begin to make garden swings from logs.

Caring for a wooden swing

1. Annual treatment with a special compound or painting will save the product from decay and pests.
2. From the end to the beginning of the season, it is necessary to cover the swing with waterproof material.
3. Avoid rust on metal parts.
4. Do not give disproportionate loads.

Such a swing will delight more than one generation, subject to these simple and understandable rules.

And if they fit better into the design of your garden, then it will be more difficult to make them. But they will last you longer.

Who hasn't dreamed of sitting on a swing in their own garden, dreamily swaying and looking at the cloudless sky or at the stars. But it's so easy to arrange, you just need to want. Beautiful and modern, located in the garden or on the lawn, in addition to convenience, they also diversify the landscape. In this article we will talk about how to make a children's swing in the country with our own hands from metal, wood, and also show drawings, photos and video materials.

Swings for every taste

Of course, today's market offers many options for finished products. However, if desired, the swing can be made any, for example, for children, designed for light weight, including for infants. They can be the width of a sofa, any shape, for the rest of the whole family. They can be built from metal, wood, or, in general, any utility material.

Before building a swing, you need to determine for yourself their type, they will be used only by children or designed for the whole family. The design of their support and the type of seat will depend on this.

Swings for children should not only be comfortable, but also have particularly strong and reliable fastenings.

If they are intended for a relaxing holiday, then they should meet maximum comfort, but at the same time, withstand a fairly large weight. And, choosing the right material, you can focus solely on your taste, since both metal and wood are equally strong. Various combinations of these materials are quite suitable, plastic or plastic parts, twisted ropes, cables and metal chains are also used. These elements are designed to facilitate the design and make it more elegant.

The most unpretentious swing, familiar to everyone since childhood, is well-polished boards that are attached to a rack on ropes or cables (sometimes just to a thick tree branch). Of course, fastening to racks is more reliable and lasts much longer. To install such a metal rack, it is best to take three pipes with a diameter of 100-120 millimeters. Two pipes will play the role of racks, and the third can be used as a crossbar on which the swing is hung. You can make this design from wooden bars with a thickness of 100 × 100 mm. However, such a simple design is only suitable for swinging children, given their small weight.

If the swing is intended for kids, then they are made with a back and a fixing bar is made in front.

To build the simplest garden swing for a summer residence, which is suitable for the whole family, you need to make a more stable support. Usually, four support pillars are used for this. They are dug into the ground to a depth of about one meter (at least 80 cm) and concreted. When using metal structures, all cut edges must be carefully sanded with a grinder, otherwise you can get hurt on the edges. The joints of the racks with the crossbar are connected by welding (so a welding machine is necessary).

In the case of using wooden poles for racks, before burying them in the ground, it is necessary to treat the poles with antiseptic agents.

And to connect the racks with a wooden crossbar, bolts with nuts or self-tapping screws are used. At the top of the resulting structure (from any material), a horizontal beam is attached.

First of all, in order to get a seat, you need to make two frames. One frame will be the actual seat, and the second is for the back. And plywood is attached to one and the other frames. Connect the back and seat corners (usually at an angle of 120 degrees). It is not recommended to connect at a right angle: it is less comfortable for sitting, especially for relaxing. To make armrests (optional), you need to set the bars at right angles.

After the racks are installed, the seat is made, you can start hanging it from the top crossbar. To do this, you need to attach strong hooks or special reliable brackets to it. A cable, ropes or chains are pulled through the hole formed. In this case, you need to choose the correct seat height. For this, preliminary measurements are carried out - the legs of a seated person should touch the ground with their socks.

Of course, if you build a swing in the country in this way, then they will be tough, and it is unlikely that we can talk about a good rest. In order to get comfortable in the seat, you can purchase or sew special pads yourself. For longer service life, they can be dressed in waterproof covers made of polyethylene. And if you put a garden awning on the same racks, you can enjoy relaxing in the garden in any weather.

The seat made of two small logs looks very original (diameter is about 85 millimeters, length is 700 millimeters, the distance between the ropes with which they are attached is 500 millimeters). Ropes are stretched between the logs, they are wrapped around each of them, let out again and tightened into three strong knots. This type of swing is suitable for any mounting, but it is designed for only one person.

A flexible seat looks unusual in its own way. In order to make it, it is necessary to fasten one special carabiner on each side of the belt of such a seat. These carabiners are also tied to ropes with strong triple knots. This makes the seat easy to remove.

Swing-bench made of wood

We suggest considering the manufacture of a swing that several children can sit on at the same time. If necessary, you can reduce or increase its size. Birch, spruce or pine is perfect for making. To work with this material, you will need the following set of building materials:

• 15 boards 2.5 m long and with a section of 100 × 25 mm.
• 1 board 2 m, section 150 × 50 mm.
• About 40 self-tapping screws 80 × 4.5.
• 250 self-tapping screws 52 × 3.5.
• Welded chain 5 mm, length equal to the height of the swing.
• Carbine - 6 pcs.
• Galvanized screw 4 pcs., 2 pcs - 12×100 mm and 2 - 12×80 mm.

As for the tools, you will need:

• square;
• roulette;
• pencil;
• a hammer;
• hacksaw;
• plane;
• a circular saw;
• drill and a set of drills.

When buying screws, pay attention to their color. It is better that they have a contrasting shade or wood color. If you purchase contrasting screws, this will give the swing a spectacular look.

So, when you have everything ready, you can get to work. To begin with, it would be nice to prepare a drawing of the future design. By following a plan, it will be easier to get the job done accurately.

If you have not yet decided on the type of swing, then at the end of this article there are many diagrams and drawings that will help you bring your ideas to life. At the same time, the designs for both children and adults are different.

Following the instructions below, you will be able to complete all the work without the involvement of specialists:

1. First of all, cut the blanks of 1.5 m each. In this case, the cut should be made at an angle of 90 °. For the seat, you can use a board with a thickness of 20 mm, and for the back, 12-13 mm is enough. To make a seat according to our sample, you will need 17 planks 50 cm long and 15 planks 45 cm wide.
2. It is not recommended to tighten the screws without first drilling a hole. This is especially true for pine wood. She may crack.
3. To make the back more comfortable, make the details of the base curly. To do this, use the thickest board 150 × 50 mm. 6 such blanks should come out, and with a pencil or marker, draw a contour of the desired shape of the blank.
4. The next step is to decide on the angle of attachment of the back. Then fasten the planks with equal pitch. In order for them to be screwed evenly, you need to fasten the ends on both sides, and then the part is fixed in the middle.
5. It is also worth taking care of the manufacture of armrests. To do this, you can use a beam of any width. Attach one end of the bar to the back frame, and the other to the seat.
6. At this stage, you can fasten the chain to the wooden frame. Optimal for this place is the lower part of the armrest, where it is connected to the seat, as well as the upper part of the frame base on the back.
7. The chain is fastened using a nut and washer. If a washer is not used, the nut may enter the wood and compromise the integrity of the structure. As a result, a special element, where there will be a ring on one side and a thread on the other, is fixed to the seat frame and to the crossbar on which the entire structure will rest.
8. In conclusion, you just have to connect the rings with a chain, and your swing is ready.

It is best to fix the assembled swing-bench on the A-shaped rack. Strong logs should be used as a support.

Rack manufacturing

Now consider an example of making a rack that resembles the shape of the letter "A". Such a rack is quite reliable, and using strong logs, you can hang a seat of any shape, size and material. For work, you will need the same set of construction tools as for making the seat. The work process consists of the following steps:

1. You will need to make two identical racks, with the same size, in the shape of the letter "A". As a result, they will be installed at a suitable distance, and connected from above by a crossbar.
2. It is very important to accurately calculate the angle of connection of parts standing vertically. At the top, poles or beams should be fastened with powerful bolts. So that after a while these parts do not diverge, install the crossbars at 1/3 of the height.
3. To do this, you can use screws and metal corners. Well, if on two racks, the crossbars will be installed at the same height.
4. In most cases, one crossbar is enough at the top of the rack, but you can add another one for more strength.

The structure itself is installed directly into the ground. It is enough to dig a hole up to 80 cm deep. At the bottom, make a pillow of 20 cm crushed stone, insert racks and fill them with concrete. To prevent wood studs from rotting in concrete, they can be insulated or treated with an anti-rot agent.

If children will mainly use the swing, then take care of their maximum safety. Eliminate all sharp corners, and grind all wooden elements with high quality. Although this rule is important for swings for any purpose, which are made of wood.

metal swing

Unlike a wooden structure, a metal swing is more difficult to manufacture. After all, there is no way to do without a welding machine. So, you will need a tool like this:

• welding machine;
• Bulgarian;
• the hammer;
• roulette;
• pipes.

We will consider one of the simple types of metal swings, the manufacture of which does not require great skills from you. First, prepare 4 pieces of pipe, 4 m long each. In pairs, cut each end of the pipes at an angle of 28–35°. When comparing, both angles between the pipes must be equal. As for further work, there are 2 directions:

1. Drive pipes into the ground, at an angle that is necessary. Next, weld the tops together. The result is 2 triangles with a vertex looking at the sky. This method is considered the simplest.
2. This option is more complicated, so it is rarely used by anyone. You should first weld the triangle by adding a crossbar at the base. Further, in the right places, a hole is drilled 1 m deep. As a result of such actions, you will have to lower the triangle into the trench. Although the construction of such a structure will require a lot of effort and time, from the technical side it will be much stronger.

As practice shows, an additional load is unlikely to cause the pipe to burst. The structure will quickly crawl out of the ground. Therefore, consider whether it is worth spending time on a complex support beam with a reinforced bar.

To make a beam, you will need the following set of tools and materials:

• welding machine;
• Bulgarian;
• steel strip;
• pipe;
• reinforcing rod;
• steel rings.

To fix the beam, it will be necessary to make holes in the upper seam of the triangular structure for a smaller pipe diameter. Use a grinder for this work. It is very important to make sure that the seam is not damaged after making the hole. If you find microcracks, then make marks with chalk and scald the seam again when installing the beam.

As a beam, a pipe of a smaller diameter is used, in contrast to the racks. A reinforcing rod of the appropriate diameter is threaded inside. Even under high loads, such a design will not burst in any way, but the maximum will bend.

Next, weld 2 metal rings onto the beam. They are necessary in order to limit the movement of the chain horizontally. Between these rings, a free-wheeling circle made of light sheet steel is mounted. The upper part of the rings in relation to the level of the beam should be 2.5–3 cm higher. Weld another partition on top. The result is a kind of tunnel. The final touch will be the installation of the finished beam in the holes made, after which the workpiece is securely welded.

One of the last stages in the construction of a metal swing is the manufacture of a cradle. This will require the following set of tools and materials:

• channel or corner;
• nuts and bolts;
• primer;
• brush / roller;
• chain;
• drill;
• Bulgarian;
• welding machine.

The size of the cradle can be different single or double. There may also be several cradles on the beam, but in this case you will need to make several tunnels for greater strength on the beam itself. As for the swing for giving, in most cases a sofa or a single cradle is suspended on a beam. The frame should be made entirely of metal. To do this, you can use a corner or channel.

With a corner it is much easier, because if you use a channel, you will have to select bars / boards in size.

It is desirable that the supporting structure be square or triangular, this will not allow the workpiece to bend. Using bolts with nuts to the base, you need to fix the wooden bars. To do this, pre-make appropriate holes in the corner. Thus, the seat will be ready.

The next step is to install the chain. It should be attached to each corner of the cradle. Next, in the designated places, weld steel rings. If they are not there, then you can get by with reinforcement or another bar. There is not much difference, the main thing is to use a solid and reliable material. When the rings are ready, pass the chain through the tunnels.

If there is a need to remove the swing, carabiners can be used. Their presence will also allow you to change the chain without any problems.

Although some weld the chain to the cradle itself tightly. There are no rules here, it all depends on your vision of the situation.

Upon completion of all work, the entire resulting structure should be primed and painted in the desired color (the first coat of primer should be water-repellent). Pre-treat all welding seams with a grinder. This will avoid snagging and injury. So, a metal swing for a summer residence is made.

Unusual

Probably, in every private area somewhere, but an old tire was lying around. And in the garden grows a thick and strong tree. If such a tire is hung horizontally on 3-4 metal chains, then several people can swing on such a swing at the same time. And if the tire is tied with one rope to a tree trunk (it hangs vertically), then one person may well swing.

Since people with original thinking can make a swing in the country, an unusual and interesting option is very suitable. This is a product with a ring made of durable metal. The metal ring is fixed horizontally to the support using four chains. In a special hoop, a so-called nest is arranged from a large number of chains. These chains must be attached at one end around the circumference of this hoop, and the free ends intertwine each other, and thus are fastened. So that the chains do not scratch a person, they are wrapped with a dense and soft cloth, and a special pillow is placed in the nest itself.

Video

We bring to your attention a video dedicated to a homemade swing for a summer residence.

If you decide to buy a swing for a summer residence, then first of all you should look at garden furniture online stores, as the prices in them are often lower than in ordinary stores. Also, if you are looking for something cheaper, we recommend that you follow the sales in specialized markets.

Scheme

And now, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the schemes of swings of different shapes:

A dacha is a place of rest from the bustle of the city and pressing problems, and a swing will be a great addition to it. The swing will appeal to both adults and children. Country swings can be a place to play with children, a center for gatherings with friends and a place of relaxation for the whole family. This article will talk about the varieties of swings, how to choose them correctly and how to make them yourself.

Classification of a swing for a summer residence

Swings for summer cottages can be divided into two types: garden and hanging. Garden swings consist of support posts, a seat and a canopy to protect from the sun and rain. Suspended swings have only a seat and suspension, and require the equipment of a special place for their installation.

Garden swings can be installed anywhere in the garden or on the veranda. They are portable and stationary. A portable swing can be moved around the garden and put away for the winter. Stationary garden swing is a capital structure that is installed once for the entire service life. Garden swings have a small swing amplitude and are intended mainly for relaxing.

Fig.1.

The material for the manufacture of garden swings can be metal or wood. Metal swings are more compact and lighter in weight. This type of swing is usually portable. Wooden swings are rarely made portable due to their heavy weight. However, a wooden swing will fit better into the design of any dacha. In addition, they are easier to make with your own hands, since welding is not required.

Garden swings for summer cottages can be multi-seat and single.

Multi-seat swings are designed for 2-4 people. They are often equipped with a canopy to protect them from rain and sun. Such a swing will be a great place to relax for the whole family.

Fig.2.

Single garden swing is mainly designed for children and used for entertainment.

Suspended swings are mounted on a stationary fixed support or a tree branch. They have a large swing amplitude. This type of swing is designed for outdoor activities with children.

Fig.3.

In the class of garden hanging swings, there are models for a relaxing holiday, these are sofa swings and hammock swings. Hanging swing sofas are mainly installed on the veranda and attached to the floor beams. Hammock swings are lighter and can be used both on the veranda and outdoors, but in this case, you must first make a support for the swing.

Fig.4.

How to choose a swing for a summer residence

The main thing is to understand which swing is right for you and for what purposes they will be used. For a family holiday, a multi-seat garden swing will be an excellent solution. Hanging hammock swings are well suited for individual relaxation.

When choosing a multi-seat garden swing, it is important to correctly assess how many people will use them, how often there are guests, etc. It is possible that for a large company one swing may not be enough.

Garden swings can be equipped with a canopy to protect from rain and sun. If the swing is installed on the veranda, then a canopy is hardly necessary. On the contrary, if the swing will be installed in a garden or in an open area, for example, in front of a pool, then a swing with a canopy will be a priority.

The swing can be made of wood or metal. Wooden swings will fit perfectly into the design of any garden, but they are heavy and difficult to carry. Wooden swings are usually installed once for the entire service life. Metal swings are lighter and more compact and can be easily moved around the garden.

Fig.5.

When choosing a metal summer swing, it is important to pay attention to the diameter of the pipes from which they are made; the thicker the pipe, the stronger, more reliable and stable the swing will be. For the manufacture of swings, a pipe with a diameter of 30 to 60 mm is used. Such a swing can withstand weight up to 300 kg, while their own weight does not exceed 100 kg. These characteristics must be clarified with the seller. The more massive the swing, the more stable and comfortable it is, but the more difficult it is to carry it.

When choosing a swing, it will not be superfluous to think about the installation location. If the swing has a straight shape of the bearing support, then for these swings you need a flat base. Curvilinear supports can be stably located both on a flat area and on the grass in the back of the garden.

When choosing a swing, do not forget to ask your friends, most likely someone has already purchased a swing and can tell you about the advantages and disadvantages of specific models and give practical advice.

Swing for outdoor activities with children

For outdoor activities with children, hanging swings are the best choice. They will bring a lot of bright emotions to both children and adults.

Children's hanging swings are inexpensive, and the choice is huge. If you want to create an individual style of a suburban area, then hanging swings are easy to do with your own hands from improvised materials.

Fig.6.

When purchasing a hanging swing, you should remember about the safety of their use, especially by young children. Swings should be provided with seat belts for the smallest and restraints for middle-aged children. When choosing a swing, you need to pay attention to the allowable weight. It should be no less than the weight of the child.

The supports for installing the swing must be stable and easily support the weight of the swing with the child.

Do-it-yourself hanging swing

The easiest hanging swing to make is a board swing. This type of swing is perfect for middle and older children and adults.

A board swing consists of a seat and suspension. A board 40-50 cm long, 15 cm wide and 3-4 cm thick is well suited for a seat. All burrs must be removed from the board and the edges smoothed. Holes are drilled in the corners of the board to secure the suspension.

Fig.7.

A thick rope or rope is perfect as a suspension. The easiest and most reliable way to attach the seat to the suspension is to thread the rope through the hole in the board and fix it with a knot.

If the swing is intended for adults, then a metal cable or chain can be used as a suspension. In this case, it is convenient to use an eyebolt to attach the suspension to the seat.

Fig.8.

Another popular hanging swing option is the tire swing. To make a swing, you need an old car tire. The tire is fixed to the suspension at 3-4 points with the help of an eye bolt or a bracket. A rope or chain can be used as a suspension.

Fig.9.

You can use not a whole tire, but cut out a semblance of a seat from it. The simplest option is a basket seat. But in fact, there are many options and they are limited only by the imagination.

Fig.10.

An equally simple and interesting option for a hanging swing is a swing made from old chairs. To make a swing, you need a chair. The legs of the chair are sawn off and fixed to the suspensions.

Fig.11.

When making a swing from a chair / armchair, it is important to make sure that the seat is securely attached to the hangers. Sometimes additional elements may be required to strengthen the structure.

Fig.12.

An interesting swing can be made from an old skateboard. It will be a boat-type swing. You can swing on them while standing.

Fig.13.

Hanging swings for summer cottages can be made from almost any material that can be found in the country. Don't be afraid to experiment. It is only important that the swing is safe and easy to use.

Swing support

For hanging swings, almost any support can be used. The main thing is that it be reliable, durable and withstand the weight of the swing. As a support, a tree branch, a special portable support, stationary wooden or metal, floor beams can be used if the swing is installed on a covered veranda.

For young children, it is most rational to use a mobile metal support. It can be purchased together with the swing. Its cost is not high, and there will be no problems during installation and operation.

Fig.14.

Swings for middle-aged children and adults require a stronger support. For a swing of this type, in the absence of a strong and large tree nearby, you will need to make a stationary support. The simplest is the U-shaped support. It consists of two pillars rigidly fixed to the ground and a crossbar to which a suspended swing is attached. The support can be made of wooden beams or a metal pipe.

Fig.15.

For reliable fastening of the support in the ground, two holes are made 1 m deep; for this purpose, it is convenient to use a garden drill. A layer of crushed stone 20 cm thick is poured at the bottom of the pit. The space between the walls of the pit and the support is filled with a cement-sand mortar, made in a ratio of 1:3. After a week, the solution will harden and the support will be ready for use.

Suspended swing to the support must be fixed with eyebolts. This is the simplest and most reliable method that will provide a high swing amplitude. It is suitable for both wooden supports and metal ones.

Fig.16.

If the swing is installed on the veranda, then they can easily be fixed to the floor beam or roof rafters using eyebolts.

Fig.17.

Relaxation swing

Relaxation Swing is a sofa style garden swing for families and hanging hammock swing for secluded relaxation.

Garden swings are perfect for gatherings with friends, and for relaxing with the whole family. Garden swing-sofa can be placed anywhere in the garden or in an open area, but in this case they must be equipped with a canopy to protect from the sun and rain.

Hanging hammock swing will become a favorite place for those who love privacy. They can be installed on the veranda or in the garden, in which case they will have to purchase or make a support for suspension.

Do-it-yourself garden swing made of wood

Garden swings are the most popular. They are the most versatile and suitable for both family gatherings and secluded recreation. Garden swings consist of a support, a sofa and a canopy. All swing elements are made of wood.

Fig.18.

To make a wooden swing for a summer residence, you will need a drill, a saw for wood, wood glue (moisture-resistant PVA glue), a planer, a set of wood drills.

It is desirable to make garden swings from well-dried wood. So a dry tree does not shrink and does not lose its shape. It is very easy to dry lumber. In the summer, it is enough to put them outdoors for two weeks. It is advisable to dry the wood in the shade under shelter from the rain.

In the manufacture of garden swings, it is important not to forget to treat the wood with an antiseptic and cover it with a protective varnish or paint, while the varnish must be resistant to moisture and sunlight. Yacht lacquer is perfect.

Making a support for a swing

A stationary support for a country swing is the simplest and most economical to manufacture. It consists of two pillars fixed in the ground to a depth of 1 m. For support, you will need two beams with a cross section of 100x100 mm and a length of 3 m.

Fig.19.

To install a support for a swing, two holes are dug in the ground with a depth of 1.2-1.5 m and a diameter of 30-40 cm. For this purpose, it is convenient to use a garden drill. A layer of crushed stone 20–50 cm thick is poured at the bottom of the pit and rammed. A section of a wooden beam 1 m long on the side that will be underground is coated with bituminous mastic and wrapped in roofing material to protect it from decay. After that, the supports are installed in the pit and poured with cement mortar. Cement mortar is made in a ratio of 1:3 (cement: sand). After a week, the solution will gain strength and you can hang the swing.

The disadvantage of a stationary support for a swing is the inability to move the swing around the site and remove it for the winter. For this reason, a portable type of swing is often preferred.

The most popular portable support structure for country swings is two pairs of bars with a section of 80x80 mm or more, installed at an angle and connected to each other. In this case, the swing is not fixed to the ground.

Fig.20.

The bars are connected to each other in half a tree at an angle of 40-45 degrees. To increase the rigidity of the swing, a side bar is installed. Between themselves, the supports are connected by the upper horizontal crossbar (crossbar) and the lower one from the back of the swing. A swing seat is attached to the crossbar.

When assembling supports for a swing, it is advisable to use not self-tapping screws, but an adhesive joint tightened with bolts. This connection method is more durable and reliable, and the swing will last a very long time.

Another version of the support for a portable swing is the support of four vertical bars. In this case, it turns out something like a gazebo in which a swing is suspended. This design will be heavier than the previous one and it will be very difficult to move it around the site.

Fig.21.

An interesting solution for swing supports is shown in the photo below. Thanks to this form of supports, the side posts do not block the view and the swing looks more open.

Fig.22.

Making a canopy for a swing

It is advisable to equip garden swings installed in the open air with a canopy that will protect you from the scorching heat and rain.

The canopy consists of a frame and flooring. The frame is made of wood. As a flooring, any roofing materials, polybicarbonate or fabric can be used.

The frame is usually made single-slope and gable. A shed frame is often used in conjunction with fabric flooring. It turns out a light, elegant design that perfectly protects from the sun and somewhat worse from rain. The fabric canopy must be removed for the winter. The gable roof of a garden swing is used on swings that are not removed for the winter. Bitumen shingles are used as flooring.

A shed canopy is the easiest to manufacture. The frame is assembled from bars with a section of 20x30 or 30x40 mm, and fixed to the swing supports at an angle of 10-20 degrees. A fabric is stretched over the frame.

Fig.23.

A gable canopy is made by analogy with a gable roof. The angle of inclination of a gable canopy is usually chosen in the range of 10-20 degrees. On the supports and the crossbar (the beam to which the swing is suspended) of the swing, a rafter system of bars or boards is installed. A crate is fixed to the rafters if sheet flooring is planned or plywood if flexible tiles are planned.

Fig.24.

For flooring, you should not use profiled sheet and sheet iron, it gets very hot in the sun and it will not be comfortable to relax on a garden swing.

Making a swing seat

The garden swing seat is made in the form of a bench, only without legs. For the manufacture of the seat, dry planed lumber is used. You will need a bar with a section of 30x50 mm for the frame and bars or boards 20 mm thick for the seat itself.

First, a frame is made. To do this, connect the bars at an angle of approximately 100-110 degrees. The best option is to fasten the beams into half a tree using wood glue and bolts. After the glue dries, bars are attached to the frame, which will act as a seat, they can be fixed with self-tapping screws.

Fig.25.

The finished garden swing seat must be hung on the frame. A rope or chain can be used for suspension. Preference should be given to the chain as it is more durable and will not fray during operation.

To suspend the seat on the crossbar, it is necessary to install two eyebolts or brackets. The swing seat must also be secured with two eyebolts on each side of the seat. One eye bolt is fixed to the seat, and the second in the middle of the back. This arrangement of fasteners does not allow the seat to tip over during rocking.

Fig.26.

Chains are attached to the fixed eyebolts by means of carabiners. The length of the chains is selected based on the required seat height and inclination. It is convenient to use chains slightly longer than required. By attaching the carabiner to different links, you can change the height and angle of the swing seat.

An ergonomic version of the garden swing seat can be made from plywood. Plywood is used with a thickness of 20 - 30 mm for the manufacture of the frame. Seat bars are fixed to the frame.

Fig.27.

One of the easiest ways to make a swing seat is to use old garden or home furniture. An old light sofa or chair, rattan furniture, a light garden bench are well suited for a garden swing seat.

Fig.28.

The seat for garden swings can be made from pallets left after the construction of the house. To do this, you need to saw the pallet into two parts and connect them together at a slight angle.

Fig.29.

When making a swing seat, it is important not to forget about safety. It is advisable to glue all joints of the seat parts with carpentry glue or PVA moisture-resistant glue. Before the final installation of the seat, it must be protected from moisture with varnish, paint or antiseptic. You can increase the comfort of the swing with the help of foam mattresses and pillows.

Do-it-yourself garden swing made of metal

Garden swings made of metal can be made of the most diverse types due to the strength of the material and the ability to give it almost any shape. However, without special bending and welding equipment, it is impossible to make unusual garden swings. However, if you own a welding machine, then you can easily make a simple but very reliable swing.

Fig.30.

Metal swings can be hanging and garden, portable and stationary. Due to the strength of the metal, the swing can be made quite light and at the same time strong - this is their main advantage.

Support manufacturing

With your own hands, it’s enough just to make two options for a support for a swing, stationary and portable. Both options are suitable for hanging and garden swings.

It is convenient to make a stationary support for a swing from a pipe with a diameter of 50 mm or more. Two pipes are fixed in the ground with a cement-sand mortar. A crossbar from a pipe of the same diameter is welded to the pipes from above. Two brackets are welded to the crossbar for hanging the swing.

Fig.31.

It is convenient to make a portable metal swing from a square or rectangular pipe. The design of such a swing consists of two triangular posts interconnected by a crossbar and a cross member located at the lower rear of the swing. Staples for hanging the swing are welded to the crossbar.

Fig.32.

The framework of a canopy is made of a pipe of square section of 20х20 mm. Colored polybicarbonate is used as a roofing material for metal swings. This gives the swing an interesting look.

seat manufacturing

A seat for a metal swing can be made in the same way as a seat for a wooden swing, or it can have a metal frame.

For a metal frame, a square pipe 20x20 mm is used. The frame is made of two pipe sections welded at an angle of 100-110 degrees. Ears are welded to the frame, to which the chain will be attached. One ear is welded to the seat, the second to the back.

Wooden bars are fixed to the metal frame, which serve as the basis of the seat and back.

Fig.33.

When making a metal swing, it is important not to forget to protect the metal from corrosion. To do this, you must first remove all possible foci of corrosion that are present on the metal, then degrease the surface with a solvent and apply a primer on the metal. The final stage is the coloring of the swing.

The wooden elements of the swing must be covered with a wood preservative.

Regardless of whether you plan to purchase or make a swing with your own hands, for children or for recreation, you are on the right track. A swing in a summer cottage is really an irreplaceable thing. Hanging swings are sure to please children. Garden swings are more suitable for the older generation. The swing in the country will definitely become an entertainment center and a gathering place for the whole family.

Bird trills delight the soul, and a slight swaying soothes. Garden swings at their summer cottage are needed not only for children, but also for adults. Moreover, it is absolutely not necessary to buy the same type of model, covered with fabric. It is much more interesting to create an original designer thing on your own. How to make a garden swing with your own hands? What is better to choose for the frame, metal or wood? Tips from experienced craftsmen, drawings, a selection of photos and video instructions - in this review.

Homemade swing and their classification

As a child, it seems that the "winged swing" is able to reach the sun. Growing up, we remember this wonderful feeling of carelessness. And subconsciously we want to repeat it. This is quite possible, because the swing is not only for children:

• family. They look like a bench with a high back, suspended on strong supports by chains;
• mobile swing, if necessary, can be moved to another place;
• the hammock is the ultimate champion for relaxation;
• gazebo swing. Suitable for several people;
• balancer or pendulum. A floor structure in the form of a log, which is thrown to one side or the other, depending on the weight of the players;
• swings - sofas. Soft design with the ability to embody the most daring design decisions;
• swing - "boats".

According to the manufacturing method, the swing is divided into:

• frame;
• frameless.

By installation method:

• stationary;
• portable - easy to remove and put away.

The frame can be made from a number of materials and their combinations:

• plastic and fabric;
• tires and chains or ropes;
• wood and chains;
• rounded and non-rounded bars;
• metal.

Choosing the Right Option

Before proceeding with the construction, it is necessary to determine the purpose of use and the material of manufacture. If a baby needs a swing up to 3 years old, then a purchased or home-made stationary, stable option is suitable. For children from 5 years old - light plastic or wooden hanging swings. They can be attached to a canopy beam in front of the house or to a powerful tree branch. A noisy children's company will appreciate the entertainment in the form of a balancer (pendulum).

Attention! The most durable are products made of processed wood and metal. For "wintering" it is enough to cover them with polyethylene. Purchased swings with a plastic base covered with fabric - must be disassembled for the winter and stored in a dry, warm room.

If you want the garden swing to serve not only as a place of rest, but also as an accent detail of landscape design, then you can prefer noble forging or eco-friendly wood design.

For the older generation, durable benches with a high back and a canopy are ideal. For noisy youth - swinging sofas with a lot of colorful pillows or hammocks for relaxing with a book.

Original tire design

A swing that any beginner can make from improvised materials. For manufacturing, you will need a car tire, a strong rope and the ability to knit marine knots.

Installation steps:

1. Drill four holes in the tire. 2 on each side.
2. Insert the rope into the two holes next to it and tie it firmly below, under the tire.
3. On the second side, repeat the same steps.
4. Choose a suitable tree branch or any other crossbar. Hang an impromptu swing on the bar. The main thing is strong knots that ensure the safety of rocking.

Such installation will not take much time, but will bring a lot of joy to children.

Children's entertainment from a board and a rope

The easiest swing to make, which does not require special skills and materials, is a beam suspended on a rope.

Attention! A wooden swing without a back is unstable, so it is recommended to build them for children from 7 years old. If you want a swing with a back, you can cut off the legs of a wooden chair and attach it with a rope to the base and back.

For installation you will need:

• edged or unedged board with a thickness of 3-4 cm and a width of 15-20 cm;
• strong rope;
• antiseptic, varnish;
• hacksaw or saw.

Walkthrough:

1. Saw off a piece of board to the desired length.
2. Sand to smoothness.
3. Cover with antiseptic and varnish.
4. Cut 2 grooves along the long sides of the board closer to the corners.
5. Make 2 more dranks on both sidewalls about 3 cm from the corners.
6. Pass the rope from groove to groove with three "stitches".
7. Attach the rope to any cross bar.

The fastening feature guarantees the strength of the structure. At the bottom, the rope will not untie and will not fray.

Making a family swing from wood and metal

Evening conversation on a bench swaying steadily promotes mutual understanding. And if you decorate the wooden frame with cute pillows, then a comfortable stay is guaranteed!

Advice. The thickness of the planks for the seat of the swing bench should be greater than for the back.

Before construction, you need to prepare everything you need:

• 15 pine or spruce boards 10x25x2500 mm;
• 1 board 150x50x2500 mm;
• a chain equal to the length of the swing;
• 40 self-tapping screws 80x4.5 in size;
• 200 self-tapping screws 51x3.5;
• 6 carbines;
• 2 screws with rings 12x100;
• 2 screws with rings 12x80;
• drill, jigsaw, circular saw, hammer, planer.

Action plan:

1. Cut boards 1.5 m long.
2. Cut out 6 curly parts for the base of the bench from the thickest board.
3. Having arranged 6 parts in 1 row, attach wooden planks to them with self-tapping screws. The bar should be fixed first from the ends, then in the middle. The seat will take 17 boards, the back - 15.
4. Make two armrests and the remaining wood.
5. Attach a screw with a ring to the bottom of the armrest.
6. Attach the finished swing to any crossbar. If it is not there, then you can dig 2 beams into the ground, concrete them and connect them with a transverse board.
7. Attach 2 more rings to the top bar.
8. Stretch the chain and hang the swing.

A properly built structure will be solid and reliable, and will last for several seasons.

Strong base for any kind of seat

You may want to hang a swing bench or a pair of children's plank rails on chains. The main thing is to mount a reliable base that can withstand both a small load and several adults.

For construction work, the following elements are required:

• bars 100x100 mm;
• boards for the construction of the base and canopy;
• concrete;
• self-tapping screws;
• hammer, hacksaw, drill, tape measure.

Advice. The part of the bars intended for digging into the ground should be treated with bituminous varnish or resin.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Determine the location for the swing. This step is important because design is not portable.
2. Dig 4 holes 1 m deep each.
3. Set the bars in the pits so that they cross at the top, resembling the letter "L".
4. Fill the base with concrete.
5. Fasten the bars with self-tapping screws at the intersections at the top.
6. Knock down wooden flooring from half of the slats.
7. From the second half - a canopy with a horizontal crossbar and jibs that strengthen the structure.
8. Varnish the finished frame.

Any kind of swing can be attached to such a base using rings, a carabiner and a chain.

What to choose, chain or rope?

The safety of the swing directly depends on the type of suspension. Rope is a fairly strong option, especially if it is secured with a marine knot. But over time, it can stretch or fray. Therefore, such a suspension is recommended only for children's swings that are not subject to heavy loads.

Attention! The optimal rope is kapron with a cross lay from 24 mm.

The chain is a more durable option that can withstand heavy loads.

Advantages of using a metal chain:

• strong;
• the weakening of the ring is immediately visible;
• optimal for weak buildup.

• when mounted on bearings, it swings very strongly. This means that it is necessary to install a swing speed limiter;
• in large rings, babies can pinch their fingers.

Garden swings are not just a place of rest, but also an original "highlight" of any site. A rational choice of design, construction taking into account all the nuances and careful maintenance will provide the swing with a “long life”.

DIY garden swing - video

DIY garden swing - photo