Arbor swing plans

This step by step diy project is about arbor swing plans. This garden project features detailed instructions regarding the construction of an arbor swing. Don’t forget to take a look over this article and this article, in order to see how to build the swing bench. Check out the rest of the outdoor projects that are featured on our site.

You should always plan everything from the very beginning, in order to prevent costly mistakes and to save time. In most of the cases, you need a friend to give you a hand when assembling the deer feeder. Invest in high quality lumber and plywood, as the components will be exposed to bad weather. Protect the components with appropriate paint or stain.

There are a few tips that you should take into account, if you want to get a professional result. Therefore, take accurate measurements and use professional tools when making the cuts or when drilling pilot holes. Align the components at both ends and add waterproof glue to the joints, if you want to create a rigid structure. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.

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Arbor swing plans

Building an arbor swing

Materials

• A – 4 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 84 1/2″ / 120″ long POSTS
• B – 4 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 60″ long BEAMS
• C – 5 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 96″ long RAFTERS
• D – 4 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 30 1/2″ long BRACES
• E – 4 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 67″ long, 8 pieces – 40″ long 2xTRELLIS

• 4 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 8 ft
• 1 piece of 4×4 lumber – 12 ft
• 2 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 10 ft
• 5 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 8 ft
• 8 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 8 ft
• 4 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 12 ft
• 4 post anchors
• 8 carriage bolts – 7″
• 20 pieces of 4 1/2″ screws
• 200 pieces of 2 1/2″ screws
• wood filler, wood stain

Tools

• Safety gloves, glasses
• Miter saw, jigsaw
• Chalk line, tape measure, spirit level, carpentry pencil
• Drill machinery and drill bits

Tips

• Use a good miter saw to make the angle cuts
• Drill pilot holes before inserting the screws

Time

• One Week

Related

• Porch swing plans

How to build an arbor with swing

Laying out the arbor swing

The first step of the project is to lay out the garden swing in a professional manner. Therefore, use batter boards and string to determine the location of the posts. Make sure the diagonals are equal and apply the 3-4-5 rule to every corner, in order to check if the corners are square.

Anchoring the post into concrete

After you have dug the holes (2-3′ deep, 12” in diameter) you should decide the anchoring system. If you want to set the post into concrete, the whole structure will gain more rigidity as compared to using adjustable anchors.

Compact 2” of gravel on the bottom of the holes, set the tube forms and pour a 4” layer of concrete. Set the posts into place, plumb them with a spirit level and lock them with two 2×4 braces. Setting the posts in concrete add the most support to the whole structure.

Building the support beams

Build the support beams out of 2×6 lumber. Use a jigsaw to make the ends decorative. Smooth the edges with sandpaper before locking them to the top of the posts.

Attaching the support beams

Clamp the support beams to the top of the posts, as shown in the diagram. Drill pilot holes through the beams and through the posts. Insert 7″ carriage bolts to lock everything together tightly. Make sure the beams are horizontal by using a spirit level, before drilling the pilot holes.

Building the shade elements

Build the shade elements out of 2×6 lumber. Cut both ends in a decorative manner, using a jigsaw. Use a circular saw to make parallel cuts inside the marked areas. Remove the excess with a chisel and smooth the recess with a damp cloth.

Fitting the shade elements

Fit the shade elements to the support beams, as shown in the diagram. Drill pilot holes through the rafters and insert 4 1/2″ screws into the support beams.

Building the trellis

Use 1×2 0r 2×2 lumber for the side trellis. Lay the components on a level surface and space them as shown in the diagram. Drill pilot holes and insert 1 1/4″ (if you use 1×2 lumber) or 2 1/2″ screws (if you use 2×2 lumber).

Fitting the trellis

Fit the trellis to the sides of the arbor swing. Align the panels with attention and secure them to the posts by inserting 2 1/2″ screws. Drill pilot holes before inserting the screws to prevent the wood from splitting.

Building the braces

In order to enhance the rigidity of the arbor swing, you need to install 4×4 cross-braces to the structure. Cut both ends of the braces at 45 degrees and use a jigsaw to make the curved notch. Smooth the edges with fine-grit sandpaper and remove the excess with a damp cloth.

Fitting the diagonal braces

Fit the braces to the arbor swing and align the edges with attention. Drill pilot holes through the braces and secure them into place using 2 1/2″ screws. Make sure the posts are plumb and the shade elements horizontal, before inserting the screws.

Fitting the top slats

Fit 2×2 slats to the top of the arbor swing. Place the slats equally-spaced and secure them to the rafters using 2 1/2″ screws. Drill pilot holes before inserting the screws, to prevent the wood from splitting.

Arbor Swing Plans

Last but not least, we recommend you to take care of the finishing touches. In order to get a professional result, fill the holes and the gaps with wood filler and let it dry out for a few hours. Check if there are protruding screws and fix this issue, if necessary.

Thank you for reading our project about arbor swing plans and we recommend you to check out the rest of the projects. Don’t forget to SHARE and LIKE our projects with your friends, by using the social media widgets, if you want to help us keep adding free woodworking plans.

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