Summer is Almost Over!

I started this whole quest for a set of swing set plans because I was given an old swing set that had been taken apart. Why my cousin took it upon himself to do that, I'll never know. During this hunting around I have found various shapes and sizes of swings sets, kits, and several books full of plans. Given that summer is drawing to a close and my daughter is getting impatient, I think buying a ready to assemble swing set is the best way to go. Rather than spending the next few weekends rebuilding, painting, and just plain driving myself crazy, I think spending more of that time pushing my daughter on that swing sounds better.

Since we are moving into the end of summer I am finding some great deals on swing sets at SwingSetSource.com . They have a great selection of wood and metal swings. The swing set kits are still a very good value if you have the time, and more importantly are a whole lot faster at building things than I am. I really had to look at what my time off is worth. I would much rather enjoy my weekend with my family than working those weekends in the garage trying to breath life back into a pile of old lumber.

I hope you can find a set of swing set plans, kit or ready to assemble swing for your kids. Wouldn't you want them expending some of their endless energy outside rather than doing laps around the family room!

Let me know what you think.

Mike

Searching For Swing Set Plans

Last night I started searching for a set of swing set plans on the internet. I did this because it was clear to me that I would not be saving much money using the well worn equipment. Many of the fasteners were rusted, the brackets all needed painting, all the lumber needed to be sanded and painted plus some would have to be replaced completely. I might as well set up a swing set rebuild shop in the garage! I was hoping to find plans for free, but all of those were very, very basic, and we all know once your child has seen what their swing / playhouse should look like there is no way you are going to pass the Jr. swing set by them. I found out quickly that there were basically three types of entries into the world of swings and playhouses.

• The first would be a good set of swing set plans. These would include a lumber and materials list, the hardware (nuts, bolts) swing seats, slide, etc. There should also be a detailed cut list included which is where the fun begins. Once you cut it and it doesn't fit, there isn't anyone else to blame!
• The second is a kit that includes all of the necessary hardware and accessories (except the lumber). I have found Plan-It-Play swing set kits here. I'll post a link for those kits once I get a bigger hammer.(I'm having technical problems)
  
  
• The third is a swing set package. This includes everything from the lumber that is sanded & finished, pre-drilled and cut, to all nuts, bolts and accessories which makes it the easiest to assemble but the most expensive. I found a site with a great selection and end of the season deals running right now. SwingSetSource.com

I have provided links to two different sites. The third will be here soon. Each site has a good selection for each of the three categories that I have outlined. I hope this helps you find the right swing set for your family.

Let me know what you think.
Mike

What...No Swing Set Plans?

I have all the pieces of an old swing set in my backyard, given to me by a friend of the family. I truly wish I had the swing set plans, because when I say it is in pieces, I have a bucket of old bolts and brackets with a bunch of lumber that has no markings left on it. Some of these will need to be replaced or painted. I am having flashbacks to when I received the antique Brunswick Billiards table that had been in our family for the last 60 years. It turned out amazing, but that free table cost me over $6,000 to restore and refelt. This was back when I thought I was going to have a "Man Room" to shoot pool and watch games on the big screen....This, however, was before children. Now I am trying to figure out how to rebuild a swing set for my four year old daughter who thinks that I can do just about anything!

She was a little confused this morning when she woke up as she fully expected her swing set to be ready to use. She said, "Daddy where is it?" I told her it would take quite awhile to put it all back together, she said "that's o.k. Dad, we can swing after lunch."

I knew my mission for the day, if not the rest of the week. I needed to assemble this pile of lumber into something that looks like the picture I took of it, or risk disappointing my daughter. I am now thinking I may have been way ahead to have ordered a book of swing set plans or a kit, so I would just have to assemble and play...I mean watch my daughter play on it. I think I'll have a look around to see what my options are.

Hope you have enjoyed my ranting. I feel better now. I'll be back another day with my progress. Let me know what you think.

Mike