| As life in the suburbs has gone to bigger and better | | | | project? |
| things.. from square footage to yard space... children's | | | | Most of medium sized D.I.Y. swing set, fort kit and |
| play sets have grown up and gone in the direction of | | | | jungle gym plans with swing beams can be |
| bigger is better as well. It wasn't so long ago that if | | | | completed in a weekend (12-16 hours). |
| your friend down the street had a simple swing set - | | | | Good swing set kit plans help by avoiding pre-drilling |
| they were the envy of the neighborhood. Now the | | | | and angle cuts when possible. In addition, they keep |
| envy of the neighborhood child is the friend who's | | | | the design of their frames and swing beams simple |
| family has graced them with the newest "Play - | | | | without comporomising strength. |
| System." | | | | Do I have the required tools? |
| The terms Play-systems, Jungle Gyms, Forts and | | | | All D.I.Y. jungle gym plans will include a 'required tool |
| Swing Sets are pretty much interchangable. At many | | | | list'. Believe it or not.. 90% of the plans available |
| stores selling outdoor play equipment calling a swing | | | | require 3 "power tools" a 'circular saw' and 'electric or |
| set a "Play System" simply means they've added a | | | | cordless drill'. Only commonly found tools and basic |
| few extra dollars in the cost of the product. And | | | | carpentry skills are required to assemble these kits. |
| while the sticker shock of such systems will remind | | | | The swing set plans, swings, accessories, hardware, |
| many of us of how much we paid for our first car... it | | | | etc. is all included with the kit. Lumber is purchased by |
| simply doesn't have to be this expensive. | | | | you locally and consists of 2x4's, 2x6's, 5/2x6's and |
| With some very basic carpentry skill matched with | | | | 4x4's. |
| time and a little effort, a Do-It-Yourself Swing Set or | | | | Here is a quick guide to an easy and budgeted play |
| Fort is easily achievable. D.I.Y. swing set kits today | | | | system. |
| are basic and easy to understand. These kits come | | | | 1. Research! Start by determining the system you |
| with fully illustrated step-by-step manual taking you | | | | desire **Determine if a slide for your kit is available |
| through the entire process from lumber purchase, | | | | locally. This will save you close to 100$ on the cost |
| cutting, drilling, and assembling to adding the finishing | | | | of shipping a slide as freight from the |
| touches. You could even make it a Christmas gift... | | | | manufacturer!** Kits (without the slide) typicaly |
| one that will undoubtedly seed great anticipation for | | | | includes: brackets / bolts / swing seats / chains / |
| spring, but that would allow for proper planning and | | | | tarp roof (if included) and blue prints. Make note of |
| budgeting of the system. | | | | what tools are required. |
| Play set | | | | 2. Purchase your swing kit. A standard kit for a 5' x 5' |
| First a quick run-down of some typical questions | | | | Fort and three swing beam system costs around |
| asked when planning for a Do-It-Yourself swing set: | | | | $300 (Not including freight shipped slide) |
| What's my budget? | | | | 3. Once you have your kit, determine and budget for |
| Some smaller D.I.Y. Play Sets run as little as 295$. ** | | | | the lumber purchase. A way to save a few extra |
| BUDGET SAVER** Many play sets have to charge a | | | | dollars is to price the lumber by contacting local |
| hefty fee for shipping the slide. That is because this | | | | lumber stores. Don't always assume that your local |
| is the only item that has to be boxed and freight | | | | big-box hardware store has the cheapest wood |
| shipped. A good way to save money is to buy your | | | | available. Taking the time to price your lumber sheet |
| slide locally. Check with your local big-box hardware | | | | can save you as much as 25% on the total cost of |
| store first. | | | | your system. The lumber cost for a system like the |
| Lumber, bought by you locally, for smaller jungle gym | | | | one mentioned about should run around $250 |
| plans is approx. $175 = A total price for a nice play | | | | 4. The final step before building is to determine if you |
| set would run $470. On average (including your | | | | want to prep the ground area. Will you want to use |
| lumber costs) a basic set can be built for under $600, | | | | a tiller / dig the area out and add mulch or padding of |
| medium sized under $900, largest models $1,200. | | | | any type? While this will add to the final cost of the |
| (That is cost including the slide) | | | | project it may save you possible bumps and bruises |
| How much time do I have available to work on this | | | | in the future. |