Wood See-Saw Swing

I looked for instructions on how to build a see saw swing out of wood. Couldn't find any. BUT lucky for me my neighbor had a swing so I had a reference for measurements. 

You need:

3  8ft treated 2x2's ( had one 10 ft 2x4, and I ripped it on my table saw)

scraps of ply wood, or planks for the seats

4 5 1/2 inch bolts (I used 6 inch)

1 1/2 inch (ish) screws

3 inch screws

Cut 2x2's:

2 7ft long (swinging bars)

2 1 ft long (foot rests)

2 3 ft long (seat supports)

2 14 in long (swing supports)

Then cut the seats

They are about 10 inches front to back, and 10 inches at the widest point. I used 3/4 in ply wood, just scraps I had.

Drill your holes in the seat supports at the 12 inch mark and the 24 inch mark for the bolts. I used 3/8 in bolts. Place one of the foot rests between the seat supports before screwing the seats down. This will help you get your spacing right so the swinging bars can fit . 4 1 1/2 in screws on each seat.

Back View

Now drill your bolt holes on the swinging bars. 1 1/2 in from the top

And 12 in from the bottom

Now drill the holes in your top supports 1 inch in on each side. They should be 12 inches apart, just like the holes on the seat supports.

Turn the swinging bars on their side so the holes are on the right and left, not the top and bottom, and screw the foot rests on the bottom with 3 inch screws. 2 or 3 screws on each.

Bolt the swinging bars to the seat supports.

Screw the supports to the top of the swing set with 3 in screws. Use a scrap 2x2 to place between them while you screw it down to keep the spacing right,

Then bolt the swing to the top supports and she is ready to go!

I think I might cut some dowel rods, drill another hole on each bar about 1 ft up from the seats and slide the dowels through. One screw in the center should hold them, then the kids would have some handle bars.

Seriously, they LOVE it. (it's bigger then the ones you can buy, so it swings higher)

Make a puff sleeve pattern

I'm steeling this from my personal blog cause it gets so many hits from yahoo answers.
I found this explanation:



This is a regular straight sleeve pattern that I already had.


Following fig. 2 above I cut it into 1 inch strips (numbering them so I didn't mess up the order)
Space them out, draw the new lines and you have the outlike for your new pattern.


This is now a puff sleeve pattern, and I didn't have to buy it!


This is not a very good picture, but it's the only one I have. This is the finished sleeve on the dress.

Intro to My Projects

   I have a never ending project list. Once I finish one, I end up adding 2 new ones. Things that most people will buy I look at and say, "hey, I bet I could make it cheaper and cooler"

   I have big ideas, and they never turn out quite like I imagined, but they usually work, and it seems to impress people. Everyone tells me I could make a lot of money with everything I can make, or they say I should start a business. Thing is, I usually only do a project once, then I'm done with it and I want to move on.

   I have dabbled in wood working, sewing, making patterns, glass etching, photo transfer, and yes even duct tape. And I am still learning new things. I love the challenge of figuring something out.

   My purpose with this blog is to show you in detail how I do my projects so you can do it too. I never pay for anything I don't have to pay for, and sometimes it takes me a while to find the resources I need, and a lot of trial and error. I''m hoping to share what I have learned and pass on the DIY education.

PASS IT ON.