Putting a Playset/Swingset together-tips or tricks?

[tinker&belle]

We ordered a swingset from the outlet store at Swing-n-Slide. It is the brand you can buy at Lowe's. Has anyone put a wooden up playset before who would be willing to share something they wish they knew when they started the project? I sorted all the wooden pieces and put like ones together; but it all seems so overwhelming.

 

[Lstar311]

Theres no way I'd be able to do it myself. I'd pay someone. Then I'd know for sure its put together correctly and safe. Sorry I can't help.

 

[cinabug]

I bought one of these a few years ago, and my mom and I put it together. My only advice would be to use good quality power tools. My decent little drill/ driver wasn't up to the task of driving all those big bolts. I borrowed a better one from dad's shop to finish the job. We spent several days over several weekends on this as I recall, maybe only partial days each time. As I said, it's been a couple of years.

 

[humalexis]

I didn't put ours together my DH and friend did it. I have heard that with the pre cut kits you should predrill your holes so you don't split the wood since sometimes the wood is soft. If its already predrilled all the better. Make sure you have some help but not too much. My neighber found that out when 5 or 6 dads came over to help and then it became too many advice givers and not enough work going on.

I would say give yourself 2 days and takes lots of mental health breaks so you don't get frustrated when something isn't right in thedirections.

Good luck!!

 

[mb_uh]

1. Make sure you sort the wood and label it if it is not labeled.
2. Buy a airgun drill Pneumatic sp? much faster
3. It will take at least 2 days are requires at least 2 adults no matter what the instructions say.

Good luck, DH and put together a huge one with lots of extras with those tips.

 

[tinker&belle]

Thanks for the replies. My FIL and BIL are coming over to help on Sat. I sorted all of the pieces except for a seperate playhouse componet kit. I am going to label each piece of wood tomorrow. I have added the componet part number to each part of directions. We are missing a piece but have an extra piece that is too long so if everything works out we may just cut it.

All in all I cut my thumb and got two splinters. It is going to be a long weekend.

 

[RMulieri]

Theres no way I'd be able to do it myself. I'd pay someone. Then I'd know for sure its put together correctly and safe. Sorry I can't help.

I agree...But that said..Op if you are set on doing this , make sure you read everything very very carefully and take your time.You will need more than one person no matter what the directions say.

 

[telephoneman66]

I run a handyman company. I've put together many of these things.

1) They are a pain.
2) Have the right tools. Use power drill with a socket adapter rather than a socket wrench. Use a power screw driver, but not a cheap one, you need torque. I use a Rigid brand power drill.
3) Sort the stuff and label the pieces if they aren't labeled.
4) Pay VERY close attention to which side of what the picture shows where your pieces go to avoid having to backtrack and undo your work. Just because a piece fits in a certain spot, don't assume that's where it should go. The drawings in these kits are more important than the words often times.
5) Read the entire step you're on and make sure you have a clear picture of of where everything should go before you attach anything.
6) If it says pre-drill a hole, PRE DRILL the hole.
7) Don't over drive the screws. The wood splits very easily. If you've never used a power driver, it takes some practice.
8) If you don't get the base level and plumb you're gonna be hating life. Make sure all your main structure parts are in square and level as you build it.
9) It's gonna take longer than you want, so relax.
10) You're going to need some good help to build this. 2 people, 3 won't hurt.


Good luck.

 

[tinker&belle]

I run a handyman company. I've put together many of these things.

1) They are a pain.
2) Have the right tools. Use power drill with a socket adapter rather than a socket wrench. Use a power screw driver, but not a cheap one, you need torque. I use a Rigid brand power drill.
3) Sort the stuff and label the pieces if they aren't labeled.
4) Pay VERY close attention to which side of what the picture shows where your pieces go to avoid having to backtrack and undo your work. Just because a piece fits in a certain spot, don't assume that's where it should go. The drawings in these kits are more important than the words often times.
5) Read the entire step you're on and make sure you have a clear picture of of where everything should go before you attach anything.
6) If it says pre-drill a hole, PRE DRILL the hole.
7) Don't over drive the screws. The wood splits very easily. If you've never used a power driver, it takes some practice.
8) If you don't get the base level and plumb you're gonna be hating life. Make sure all your main structure parts are in square and level as you build it.
9) It's gonna take longer than you want, so relax.
10) You're going to need some good help to build this. 2 people, 3 won't hurt.


Good luck.

Thanks for this. FIL's best friend is really handy and has tons of tools so we may see if we can borrow his. I will pass this info on to DH as well. I was hoping to get it done tomorrow, but maybe if I lower my expectation I will be happier. My goal is to get all of the pieces of wood labeled with chalk today and put the screws in ziplock baggies and label them to make finding them as easy as possible when we get to each step. While DH, BIL, and FIL build I plan on bringing the pieces they will need for the next step and laying them out for them to use.

 

[Hannathy]

Be sure your children know that some words are only adult words!

Have plenty of adult beverages for after.
Pray for no rain.

 

[tinker&belle]

Be sure your children know that some words are only adult words!

Have plenty of adult beverages for after.
Pray for no rain.

LOL...I'm sure there will be adult words. My mom is coming over to play with the kids inside since I don't really want them getting in the way or getting hurt, not hearing the words will be an added plus.

We are getting pizza and doughnuts, but I thanks for the reminder-I should make sure we have plenty of beer on hand as well. We are in Indiana and there is a chance of storms tomorrow, but we are hoping and praying for no rain.

 

[NotUrsula]

Probably not a do-able option for you since you're planning to construct it over the weekend, but IME, the weather treatment on these things is NEVER what it should be. I would treat every single piece before it is put together, so that the sealant is inside the joints as well.

 

[tinker&belle]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. It rained like cats and dogs this morning. They were able to build the first side in the garage. Lunch arrived, the sun came out, and they breezed through several other steps.

The frame is built and the top decks are built. We still need to do the swingbeam and then it should go fairly quickly adding the side pieces. We are hoping to get another good day in tomorrow and I am hoping it is most of the way finished at that point.

 

[monorailsilver]

My dh did ours. We bought a Monkey Playset IV (I think) from the swing set source.

He went thru the directions first. Then we started & made sure it was a flat area.

He would basically do all the putting together & let me do a piece here & there but what I did was lay out all the pieces for him so that he didn't have to look for them.

It took a few weekends, a few hours at night but it got done.

We were missing some pieces & of course he found that out on a Friday night so he called on Monday & we had them in a day or so. He also went out & bought better bolts/screws for some parts.

 

[sarah-jane]

Congratulations on getting it up and ready. When I did ours last year it ended in much frustration and mommy tears.

 

[Pookasaurus]

I had my dad to come over and build ours since DH is less than handy. He did most of it by himself though I helped when the kids were napping. It took 2-3 weeks working 2 (sometimes 3) days per week, 3-5 hrs per day. It was finished a week or so ago and I sealed it this weekend.

I'd check around online and see if you can find any reviews - I was able to find several for the set we bought and the reviews had all sorts of tips and tricks from other people who had already built the swing set and it helped a lot.

I agree with sorting and labeling all the pieces in advance, it will make it so much easier.

In the end, its worth it! Our set is adorable and my kids LOVE it. The first time my 4yo got to play on it he'd giggle down the slide and exclaim "I love this!!!" over and over hehe.

 

[jemmouse]

Good luck! My advice is to have patience and a lot of time....just keep in mind it's for the kids