Redwood Playset/Swingset build log

[sunsetpizza]

Here’s the playset I built for my kids back in 2005. My daughter was 2 and my wife was pregnant with our son (2-3 months pregnant).

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/playset/theworks.jpg

I started with a terrific area under a large willow tree in the backyard. We’re really lucky to have such nice shade here in Dallas.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/playset/0.jpg

I decided I wanted to incorporate the tree as much as possible but still be able to move the playset if we moved or sold it after the kids grow. I visited a couple retailers and got a feel of how to build a playset. I decided I would use only redwood since it doesn’t splinter easily and is naturally resistant to rot and bugs. And I used Galvanized 1/2" and 3/8" hardware - a shocking amount too :eek:.
So after a ton of planning and design I came up with a “wrap around” design.
*Easy to climb platform stairs
*A swinging bridge
*Upstairs “treehouse”
*A chain ladder
*Slide – fast as hell!
*Downstairs deck – This fall I may finally enclose this into a playhouse.
*2 swings/trapeze - just couldn't squeeze in 3 or I would have.

I bought the slide, chain ladder, swings and swing hardware from the local Woodplay retailers. (they also gave me great advice on how to build these things, including letting me take a ton of pictures of their sets. I was upfront with them that I was building my own set but wanted their accessories – which ran several $100’s.)

I drew plans up on graph paper and detailed every dimension. I don't know autocad but should probably learn that someday. :rolleyes:

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/playset/101_0847.jpg

I became friendly with the lumberyard guy and was able to order pretty much exactly what I needed (ie 20pcs 4x4 x 8’ – 17pcs 4x4 x 6’) . Something you can’t do at home depot! The quality was great, but my wife and I still spent 5 days sanding and rounding the corners with a ½” roundover bit with the router. Here’s what we started with. I ordered the rest a month later when I was further along.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/playset/stack.jpg

I leveled the concrete blocks that this rests on. Here in TX the clay is so hard there’s no need for piers.

May 9th - finally getting started!

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/playset/10.jpg

All beams, posts, and railings are 4x4’s and the decking is 1x6 and 1x4. As I cut each piece, I quickly rounded the ends, sanded lightly if needed, and coated them thoroughly in oil based sealer. The sealer really brings out the rich color of the redwood. On the decking, I used a hidden screw system so no screws are visible and could cut a kid’s bare foot. Here’s what I used http://www.grabberman.com/Deckmaster/

On the bottom deck I had to just screw from the top down with coated deck screws.

3 days in, it’s really taking shape. I had very minimal help doing this project. My wife couldn’t work too hard and since my days off are tues-fri, no neighbors were really around. So it was mostly me and my 2 yr old "helper".

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/playset/25.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/playset/111_1154.jpg

May 19th - coming along - left for 10 day vacation on the 20th.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/playset/111_1161.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/playset/111_1159.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/playset/1stslidedown.jpg

The swing beam was added around the 10th of June if I remember correctly.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/playset/112_1274.jpg

I was going to use 2x2’s for railing balusters since they were much cheaper then the powder coated aluminum tubes. However, the 2x 2 quality was not great and the amount of sanding involved would have been horrible. I’m really glad we went with these as I think it really makes it look classy.

June 13th - still had a huge pile of wood. Starting to get the feeling this will never get finished. :(

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/playset/112_1276.jpg

But 2 weeks later! June 25th! My father in law was over to admire the work and play.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/playset/tower.jpg

I pressurewashed and resealed the entire setup this spring. I had a little settling in the stairs so I corrected that too. Here are some 2008 pictures

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/playset/101_0840.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/playset/101_0841.jpg

The tree is so dry from the heat, it's losing some leaves. Too hot here!

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/playset/101_0842.jpg

Closeup of the bridge. The planks are bolted to chains.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sunsetpizza/playset/101_0844.jpg

2 things I should have done differently.
The deck boards are too close together and gather tons of gunk/leaves.

The tree grew fast near the slide. I've had to cut the railing off where the tree was rubbing and need to correct it when it cools off a little.

Hit me with questions or comments! It was fun to build and the kids love it. Total time was around 6 weeks. Price was just north of $3k.

[Happy Hazard]

Wow that is freakin sweet :) Excellent job man

[SVTF]

Nice set up, you have a chance to make some extra cash to pay for it...

Just invite the neighborhood kids over and charge an entry fee. That is 100 times nicer then any of the public play grounds in my area.

[Quads]

Wow.
Beats the shit out of the punk ass swing set I built.
http://pcpotato.com/gallery/albums/ThisWeekWithBeth/TWWB_67.sized.jpg

[Oz]

WHOLLY CRAP BATMAN --

That's one friggen nice swing set!

No Q --- not yours.

Nicely done sunset, nicely done.

[Irish]

Wow, nice setup sunset. I'll definitely be checking this thread again, I was planning on doing something like this next year, thanks for sharing!

[SVTF]

Maybe sunset is over "compensating" with this big of build.

[pond007]

Very cool. I was planning on something similar but looking to cut cost anywhere I can. I'll be checking this thread later!

[Aust1227]

Very nice.. Very nice indeed...

[timsta007]

Awesome thread. Hands down this is exactly the sort of resource that will make this site a great one. Still blown away.

[sunsetpizza]

Thanks everyone! I'm glad I can contribute. I was excited to get this other projects forum up. I'm sure we'll see a lot of great stuff here.

[j p frog]

very nice work. Did you use an online resource to help with planning?

[sunsetpizza]

very nice work. Did you use an online resource to help with planning?

no I didn't. I visited the Woodplay and Rainbow retailers and just looked over the options they offer and noted how they constructed them. The woodplay guy let me take a bunch of pictures of their stuff. I probably took 50-75 pics.

then I studied the pictures and during my down time at work, started working up some designs. I knew the height of the slide, the overall dims of the area I had under the tree, and my wife really wanted to incorporate a swinging bridge. I planned the thing down to each damn bolt. I really tend to over think things before I start a project. But it paid off. I didn't have hardly any lumber left. And returned all unused bolts and lags to Lowe's. I have 2 pages of plans on graph paper - a top view and side views.

[j p frog]

no I didn't. I visited the Woodplay and Rainbow retailers and just looked over the options they offer and noted how they constructed them. The woodplay guy let me take a bunch of pictures of their stuff. I probably took 50-75 pics.

then I studied the pictures and during my down time at work, started working up some designs. I knew the height of the slide, the overall dims of the area I had under the tree, and my wife really wanted to incorporate a swinging bridge. I planned the thing down to each damn bolt. I really tend to over think things before I start a project. But it paid off. I didn't have hardly any lumber left. And returned all unused bolts and lags to Lowe's. I have 2 pages of plans on graph paper - a top view and side views.

great work...there is no such thing as overplanning when building something. And good planning makes for easier builds. One nice thing about a quality built set, when the kids outgrow it, there is always someone who wants to buy it...usually for what you have in it as the materials don't get any cheaper!

[wyatt880]

That is a great looking swingset - the time that you took in the planning really shows.

[CRAW]

What? No monkey bars?

Just kidding. Dude, that's INCREDIBLE!!! I couldn't imagine doing anything remotely close to this. Great job!!!