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If you are building a swing set or just installing a ready one, you will reach the point where you need to anchor it to the ground. This is a short but specific guide with pictures which will show you how to prepare your foundation holes.
The guide assumes that you are installing a standard “A-type” swing frame like the one described here. If your swing set uses a different frame, you may need to adjust the hole positions but everything else should be almost the same.
Let’s get the work done now. |
Materials and tools you need
Preparing the foundation holes and anchoring a swing set doesn’t require much:
- A small spade. You will need to dig 4 holes about 16″ (40 cm) wide and deep. A small gardening spade should do the work unless the soil in your garden is too hard.
- A pail of concrete. You can prepare it yourself using cement, water and sand. If you need help, check here.
- Eight 10 or 12″ galvanized bolts or an anchor kit. (two for each leg) You will use these to attach the legs to the foundations.
- Nuts and washers to secure the bolts
A different way to handle the anchoring could be to install the swing before the concrete becomes solid, but using bolts is much better.
Let’s dig the holes!
Step 1: Mark the positions
You should start working on the foundations only after you have built the swing set frame or at least know its exact size. Making a mistake with few inches on the long side is not fatal, but the short positions and keeping both “A” parts of the frame parallel is very important.
Use the spade to mark the positions before you start digging. |
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Step 2: Dig the holes
You need one foundation hole for each leg of the swing, so 4 holes. Dig them to about a cube with 16″ (40 cm) side. If you live in a place with cold season, you can dig a bit more.
If the soil is too soft dig more or choose a better location for the swing set.
Tamp the bottom and the side of each hole until they acquire enough stiffness. |
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Step 3: Pour concrete and anchor
Now it’s the time to use the concrete. Pour it in each hole but don’t overfill. The top 1/4 should remain empty. You will put soil and grass in this space so with the time the swing set will look attached directly in the ground.
After 24 hours use the bolts or the anchor kit to secure the legs of the swing set frame to the concrete. This operation may differ depending on the anchoring kits you have. |
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That’s all, your swing set is now secured. You may want to check out the other aspects of building swing sets.
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This is a specific and straight to the point guide with images. I’ll show you how to build probably the simplest and cheapest swing set available – a tree swing. The only thing you need to have is a backyard and a good tree 
Provided that you have all the materials on hand, you should be able to build this tree swing in a couple of hours. Don’t rush it however as the solidity of the construction of every swing is very important.
Let’s get to action. |
Materials and tools you need
This is a simple outdoor swing so there isn’t much required:
- A tree. Don’t worry, you are not going to cut it down. You’ll just attach the swing to it.
- A thick board. Usually it will be wooden, but a thick and robust plastic board can also do the work. It should be about 20″ (50cm) wide and 35″ (90cm) long. Could be slightly smaller if only kids will use the swing.
- Two robust ropes. I can’t tell you how long, because this depends on how high branch on the tree you are going to use. In any case each of them should be minimum 4 feet / 120 cm because you swing will have height equal to about its half. In the guide below you will see why.
- Eventually a couple of rings You can make your swing without this, but if it will be used too often the ropes will fray from the friction into the wood, or the branch itself will be damaged. A couple of metal or plastic rings will significantly reduce the friction.
- Brace or drill. You will need to make a few holes in the board.
If you decide to add the rings, you should somehow put them onto the branch. Eventually this can happen easier by using half rings instead of full ones.
Let’s build it!
Step 1: Choose a Tree
You need a good tree, old and strong enough. Avoid using fruit trees like apple or pear, they aren’t strong enough. A walnut-tree, mulberry, oak or beech will do the best work.
Pick a branch that is 2-3m (10 ft) from the ground so the outdoor swing is neither too high nor too low. The branch should be strong and relatively horizontal. |
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Step 2: Prepare the Board
The board must be thick and robust. If you are building a swing for adults, it should be wider than if the swing will be used from kids only.
Use the drill to make four holes into the board. They should be wide enough for a good strong rope to run through them.
Make the holes at least 2 inches (5 cm) away from the ends of the board, so the connection between the board and the rope is stable enough.
Don’t drill them too much inside however as there should be enough space for the person who will swing there.
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Attach the Board To the Branch With Ropes
Here is how you can calculate the length of each rope. It equals A + B + C + about 30% of thus formed length for the knots.
If you are using rings, attach them on the branch at the positions where you plan to make the knots.
The board should be exactly horizontal, otherwise swinging will be impossible. So it’s quite likely that your ropes will have different length.
For maximum comfort you can attach handles on each rope.
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That’s it! This outdoor swing is really simple. We’ll have guides on building more complex outdoor swing sets, so keep visiting us.
Here is a tree swing guide with more details and photos.
