PDA

View Full Version : Swing set help needed...



Gardenarian
4-14-11, 8:42pm
Hi all -
My dd has about outgrown her swing set, but she still loves swinging (and so do I.) We have some huge pine trees and I have this idea that I could run a piece of pipe between them and hang some swings from it. Then we could have some really awesome, high swings. I would affix the pipe to the trees with some sort of plumbing hardware.

My problem is that I don't know what kind of pipe to get. From my research, the hooks you hang the swings from are made for 2 3/8 inch pipe (galvanized steel I'm assuming?) I can't find this type of pipe anywhere. Do you think something thinner would work? Smaller sizes are available at Home Depot.

The trees are about 15 feet apart; I assume I would have to get 2 pieces of pipe and have them threaded and use some kind of connector.

Does this sound like it would work? Anyone have any suggestions on where to get pipe? I'm open to using other materials, but I want it to be safe - I can't think of how I could use, say, a wood beam in this situation.

Suggestions on making the swings themselves are also welcome! I was thinking of maybe using leather? The swings on the old set are plastic and made for smaller bottoms - though I could perhaps use some of the chain.

:thankyou:

Tweety
4-15-11, 8:21pm
I'm no help with the pipe, but when my kids were little we made a rope swing from a high horizontal branch on a big pine tree. We just used heavy marine rope threaded through a plank seat with 2 holes drilled in it. The branch must have been about 18 feet high and gave the swing a huge scope. The kids loved it for years and years.

Gardenarian
4-18-11, 8:46pm
Hi tweety!
We do have a rope swing, which is a lot of fun! I would like to have two regular swings, and maybe attach an addition or two (climbing rope? one of those swing chairs?)