What are and how to make a swing from a log with your own hands?

In the courtyard of a private cottage or summer cottage, a swing is often placed. This entertainment is enjoyed not only by children, but also by adults. Now in stores there is a large selection of swings for every taste, but you can make simple and original swing from logs for your garden with your own hands.

Wooden swings differ in shape and installation method, having their own advantages and disadvantages. According to the method of installation, they can be of several types.

• Suspended - This is most likely the most common type. They look nice and are easy to use. Usually hung on sturdy tree branches, they consist of a wooden seat attached with a rope or chain to a tree or other support. Often this type is installed for small children, the weight of which the branches of trees can support. The disadvantage of this design is the low strength of the support - such a swing requires a tall tree with strong branches.
• Portable options convenient in that, unlike other types, they can be carried and installed anywhere. You can even take them with you to nature.
• Stationary models are installed on poles dug into the ground. Their design is reliable and durable. The disadvantage of this design is that it is rather difficult to transfer them, if desired or necessary, to another place.

The swing is also divided into three types.

• Family swing can accommodate up to 4 people and serve more for relaxation than entertainment. This design requires good fasteners and solid wood species.
• Baby models withstands light weight, can hold 1–2 children and swing high. They are more of an entertainment function. The children's swing has a comfortable back and armrests.
• Adult options recently have become popular in summer cottages and private cottages. This design may have a small rain and sun canopy or a mosquito net.

Wood is a popular material in construction. Among the advantages are the following:

• security;
• the beauty;
• availability.

The disadvantages of wood are as follows:

• requires more careful maintenance when compared with metal structures;
• difficult to tolerate adverse conditions (moisture, sunlight, sudden temperature changes, insect attacks).

It is worth paying attention to several tree species.

• Conifers (pine, larch) are not afraid of insect attacks and do not crack over time. But they are prone to mold and decay. Special antiseptic agents help to deal with this problem.
• Oak is perfect for buildings of any type. The advantages include strength and ease of use. But the disadvantage of this type of wood is its high price.
• Linden is an analogue of oak - it is strong and beautiful. Due to its low ability to retain heat, it is practically not used in construction, but it is quite suitable for a swing.

First of all, you need to decide which swing to install on the site. Hanging swing is mainly designed for children. If there is a seat with a backrest and armrests, they are suitable for children from 2 years of age. The frame swing is suitable for both children and adults. Before starting work, you need to pay attention to the following points:

• create drawings;
• prepare materials and tools;
• make elements and assemble a structure.

The drawing is an important part of the job. You can take any ready-made drawing that suits the type and, if necessary, change the dimensions. When independently preparing a drawing of the entire structure and individual parts, the following should be taken into account:

• the stability of the structure depends on the shape of the base - the bases of the A-shaped and L-shaped forms are considered the most stable in shape; a support of 2 pillars on the sides is allowed if their diameter is more than 20 cm and they will be dug in at least 40 cm, and the swing itself is calculated for 1 child;
• back height - 40-60 cm;
• seat depth - 40 cm or more;
• the length of chains or rope from the seat to the attachment point is 90–120 cm, but individual sizes are possible.

After creating the drawing, you need to decide on the type of wood. The most suitable option is larch or pine. For work, you will need materials and tools such as:

• logs and boards;
• drill and drill;
• saw (chainsaw);
• electric hawk, jigsaw, screwdriver (screwdriver);
• eye bolts, metal screws with a ring, carabiners, self-tapping screws;
• hammer, plane;
• tape measure, pencil, square, level;
• chain or rope.

For a suspended swing, you only need to make a seat and hang it from a support (tree branches). To sit, you need half a log or a board of the required length, and you can also make a seat with a back, which must be fixed with 4 ropes or chains.

Frame swings are made in stages such as:

• seat and frame manufacturing;
• collection of the structure;
• antiseptic and varnish coating.

For their manufacture, the following materials will be required:

• bars 3x5 m for the base of the bench;
• bars 8x8 m for the frame;
• boards 2 cm thick.

Cut the beams into equal lengths (about 40-60 cm). Connect in pairs so that the angle between the 2 segments is 100-1100 degrees. Use bolts for fastening, it is recommended to strengthen the connections with wood glue. After the glue has completely dried, attach the boards to the base with self-tapping screws along the entire length or only on the seat and back. Bolt the chain or rope to the base in 4 places: at the top of the backrest and at the bottom of the seat. At the other end of the rope, attach a carabiner, which is then fixed to the frame with an eyebolt.

For the manufacture of the frame, 2 logs are fastened in the shape of the letter L (angle of 37 degrees). For greater stability, it is recommended to dig in the logs by 20-30 cm and connect them with a board, the result should be the letter A. In total, you need 2 such elements. Install them at a distance of about 1.5 meters between each other. Attach a 15x5 cm log or board on top, onto which screw the eyebolts for the chain. For added strength, a board is also attached to the bottom from the back. After the structure is fully installed, you can start coating with an antiseptic and varnish.

This type is quite popular among fans of original ideas. Any pallets are suitable for manufacturing: European, Finnish or American. The strongest and at the same time the heaviest are the American versions with a size of 1200x1200 mm. It is recommended to choose Finnish 1200x1000 mm. It is best to use new pallets, but used pallets, which need to be repaired first, will also work. When choosing a pallet, take into account the rigidity - the boards should not bend under the weight, otherwise they may break during use.

For manufacturing, you need to cut the pallet and knock down 2 parts in the form of a sofa. If you are planning a wide swing of 2 pallets, you need to nail down the logs from below, which will bear the bulk of the weight.Next, make the armrests from the bars: nail 2 bars on the sides to the bench and fix the board on top, on which to attach the eye bolts. Make a frame from logs and attach the swing from pallets using eye bolts and carabiners.

For the garden swing to last a long time, they should be properly looked after and the following rules should be observed:

• it is recommended to place a swing made of logs under a roof;
• before the autumn-winter period, annually treat the wooden surface with an antiseptic or wax stain;
• collapsible structures to be removed in a warm and dry place for the winter;
• open the swing with varnish 2 times a year, having previously cleaned it from the old layer with fine sandpaper;
• do not install a wooden swing close to water bodies and fountains.

For information on how to make a swing with your own hands, see the next video.