How To Make A Wooden Patio Swing

Rustic Porch Swing Plans

This DIY plan will give you a customized rustic porch swing. Its a bit on the advanced side, and will show you how to build a frame as well.

Youll be able to make it the exact length you want, determine the bench size, design the seat, and learn how to cut lumber and assemble everything. You can find all these instructions, along with pictures to help make the process easier here.

The Porch Swing With Support Set Blueprint

Mother Earth News provides instruction plans for assembling a durable porch swing that can either be hung from your rafters or integrated into a support frame. Its built from construction-grade softwood lumber as well as cedarwood and includes comprehensive materials list as well as some handy woodworking tips.

The joints in this wooden bench swing are either screwed or glued together- they specifically advise using wood glue that is either Type II or Type III grade water resistance like Gorilla wood glue. Because this plan has a number of curved elements its best to create full-sized templates before you begin cutting.

They also include design instructions for creating tapered wooden plugs to hide screw heads.

The Black Steel Pipe Porch Design

To build a classic porch swing in the weekend, you only need to follow these step-by-step instructions and pictures. Unlike other porch swings, this one has a unique suspension system a 1/2 pipe with eye bolts fastened through it. In this way, the pipe acts as a cradle and eliminates stress in critical joints.

To finish this DIY project youll need a table saw, a circular saw, and a jigsaw.

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Which Wood Should Be Used For Swings

You can use cypress, alder, walnut, pine, and cedar wood for making your own wooden swing and install it either in front porch, garden or in the patio wherever you find the best spot for it.Though there are ready made indoor and outdoor hammock swings which are made of wicker and rattan, but they can accommodate only one person at a time. Wood is way more durable than wicker and rattan, you can construct a nice swing with it by going through some DIY porch swing plans.

Step : Cut The Porch Swing Pieces To Size & Sand Them

After breaking the pallet apart, I went ahead and cut all the swing pieces. I kind of had an idea of how I was going to build it, but it wasnt until I started cutting the pieces that I envisioned how I was going to put it together.

I ended up cutting the following pieces:

• Two 54 x 2 & two 14 x 2 pieces for the lower frame of the swing.
• Two 48 x 2 & two 16 x 2 pieces for the backrest frame of the swing.
• Two 16 x 1 & two 10 x 1 pieces for the armrests.
• Nineteen 17 1/2 pieces for the seat & backrest.

All of them are the original width of about 1 ¼.

When I had all the pieces, I sanded them with 60 grit sandpaper. It was mostly to remove slivers, not to make the wood super smooth.

After cutting and sanding the wood pieces for the porch swing

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Porch Swing In Aslittle As 5 Hours

Many people do notconsider getting into DIY because they have to spend time working on theproject. Some projects are more time-consuming than others, making it moreappealing to just buy what they need.

With this plan, though,you can make your own porch swing if you can manage to spend 5 hours in it.Just half a days work and you have a porch swing that significantly costsless!

The website where theplan can be found provides direct instructions that are not difficult tofollow. It even provides diagrams so that the project maker will be more guidedduring the process.

Another thing that weliked about the diagram is that its color-coded. This is useful for cuttingthe wood and eventually assembling all the pieces.

As a porch swing that canbe made in a short amount of time, it has to includein this list.

How To Build A 2×4 Porch Swing

Cut Out Slot On Underside Of Arm Rests For Vertical Support

• Lay out arm rests side by side with curved edges facing each other.

• Use the pictured diagram to measure and mark the 3 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ rectangle on each arm rest. Make sure the arm rests look like a mirror image of each other when laid side by side. The slot should be closer to the curved edge on both arm rests.

NOTE: In the second picture, the originally drawn slot is incorrect. If you want to spend a lot of time doing extra wood chiseling and filling the space with an extra bit of wood, go ahead and make that same mistake. 🙂

• Using a wood chisel and hammer, remove the wood inside the marked rectangle down to 3/4 inch deep. Be careful when chiseling near the 1/2 inch edge of the arm rest so as not to split the wood.

• Repeat with the other arm rest.

TIP: Use the square to draw a line 3/4 inch down from the top of the vertical arm rest support board. When you can place the arm rest on the support board and it lines up with this line, you know you’ve chiseled enough.

• Use the random orbital sander to sand all edges of the arm rests.

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Basic Porch Swing Forbeginners

Those who are juststarting out in making a porch swing will find thisguide beneficial. Thats because of the complete details that it provides tothose who want to replicate this project.

The porch swing needs alot of wood pieces. On the website wherethe porch swing plan for this project can be found, youll find the sizes foreach wood panel, all materials needed, and the instructions that should befollowed.

The tip that was given atthe end of the porch swing plan on how to take care of the wood that is usedfor the project is also appreciated. This will surely extend the life of thewood and the project significantly.

Its because of thosebenefits that made them take the top spot in this list.

Free Porch Swing Plans

Free Garden Swing Plans

If you have kids or you miss the kid in you, building a garden swing is one of those life changing projects. Building a swing means freedom and creativity, so why not take up the plunge and invest in your happiness? There are several designs you can choose, starting with the classic A-frame structure up to more complex arbor stands.

I have gathered the best free garden swing plans on the internet to help you with the woodworking project. In addition, I have selected only the plans that come with detailed instructions and with a materials list, so that you can save time and money.

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Build Swing Seat For Arbor

This simple, custom swing is a good fit for the freestanding arbor frame above. Use a jigsaw and cut the seat supports on a curve for a more comfortable seat.

Measure and Cut Lumber for the Swing Seat

This simple, custom swing is a good fit for the freestanding arbor frame above.

Use a jigsaw and cut the seat supports on a curve for a more comfortable seat. Draw the curve before cutting and make sure the pieces match exactly.

Lumber Sizes:

• back uprights : 28″
• seat supports : 24″

• Rip a piece of 1×6 lengthwise to 3-1/2″ wide, then cut two pieces 20″ long for the armrests.

• front uprights : 13-1/2″
• arm rails : 24″
• stretchers/back supports : 39″
• back cleat : 48″

Porch Swing With Cup Holders

This swing has a distinct design that features the classic porch swing and a center console that holds drinks. The project is perfect for hanging out with family and friends on a nice day. A step-by-step guide will show you how to create a gorgeous porch swing with cup holders in a short amount of time.

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Crib Mattress Porch Swing

The frame of this swing has a very rustic and antique vibe. It is made with large piece of wood. A good crib mattress has been added on the seat for adding comfort. You can learn how to make this wooden patio swing yourself. You can install a canopy with it in order to make it even more comfortable for yourself and your kids. Since this DIY rustic wooden swing has a mattress, it can also be useful for indoor use such as it can be placed in living room and lounge area. Garden room could be another best location for its placement.

Trace And Cut Out Hole In The Vertical Arm Rest Support Board To Prepare For Seat Slats

One of the seat slats will run through the vertical arm rest support board, and the hole for that needs to be cut before the arm rest support is attached.

• Place one of the vertical arm rest support boards upright on the front baseboard, flat against the inside of one of the outer swing seat support boards.

• Make a mark at the center of the vertical arm rest support on the outside of the board, just above the curve of the swing seat support board.

• Trace the curve of the swing seat support onto the vertical arm rest support.

• Next, line up the end of one of the seat slats with the traced curve and center it on the center mark. Then trace the outer edge of the end of the slat onto the vertical arm rest support. This will look roughly like a rectangle.

• Using a 1/2 inch drill bit, drill a hole through the center of the traced rectangle.

• Then, using a jigsaw, completely cut out the rest of the rectangular piece.

• Roll up a small piece of sandpaper and use it to smooth the edges of the hole.

• Repeat with the other vertical arm rest support board.

Before moving on to the next step, make sure you can slide a seat slat easily through the hole while holding the vertical arm rest support in place against the swing seat support board.

***As you can see in the picture, I tried to do this step much later in the swing assembly, after the other swing seat support boards and most of the seat slats were attached. This resulted in much removing and reattaching of screws, and I don’t recommend it!

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Diy Roll Back Porch Swing Bench Free Plan

Having swing in your own home or garden can be so relaxing a thing to enjoy, no matter you have big yard or vacant porch, or patio. Kids will fall in love with it and love playing in a breezy day. Adult can can also relax and enjoy a quite morning coffee, a book or just being embraced by the sun in swing. We have a wide collection of DIY swing projects with tutorials from wood working to old furniture recycling, if you would love to build one and get inspired on how, go check out the link here. A wooden swing offers comfort when you want to relax after a day of hard work, and this porch swing bench we feature today with get you extra indulgy with a flip-down console in the middle to place your drinks on. Your friends and family will enjoy this space, as it has a beautiful appearance and adds value to your property.

The project is recommended to use Cedar, redwood or pine wood which are better resistant to rot and have an exquisite look. The simple cypress swing with this flip cupholder will cost you over 200 bucks from .

Is My Porch Strong Enough To Support An Outdoor Swing Bench

Make sure your ceiling framing is strong enough to support your porch swing. Most porch and patio roof structures typically include a horizontal joist that supports the ceiling finish. Joists are often made from 2×6 or larger lumber but could be also made from 2×4. Typically for a 4-foot long swing, 2×6 is strong enough to support the swing. If the porch is made from 2×4 joist than additional reinforcement will be required to support the weight of the swing.

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How To Make A Porch Swing

First, youll need to select the best kind of wood for the porch swing. Second, cut the seat frame into equal parts . Then nail or screw them onto two parallel beams using galvanized nails/screws that wont corrode easily like stainless steel, but be sure not to make any holes through which water can get in and cause damage.

You shouldnt use regular nails because they may react negatively with the wood instead, opt for longer screws if necessary, so theres no chance of penetration. The next step is putting together the legs, where you will connect two pieces at a time until it reaches a desired height off the ground, which should ideally be up around knee height when youre sitting on the porch swing.

To do this, first, attach a leg to a seat frame and then move on to the other side of that same beam so theyll be parallel with one another. Make sure your best kind of wood for the porch swing is well-sanded before staining/painting, and be sure to use the best furniture glue if necessary.

You can choose your best color for painting or staining, which will bring it all together as well as protect each individual component from water damage down the road! Creating an outdoor escape is incredibly achievable with those steps in mind even if youve never built anything before in your life!

A Complete Guide For That Pallet Porch Swing

Its true that any DIYprojects require money to be spent. After all, no materials will only translateto not being able to do anything.

If you want to get yourfeet wet in making a porch but cant spend that much, why not try using palletwood instead? You can buy these for low prices, or you can even just askcompanies who have it to give it to you!

In this project, minimalcutting of wood will be needed. This will free up a significant portion of yourtime, allowing you to work on the project as early as possible.

Another good thing aboutthis project is the downloadable PDF guide provided by the website of themaker. This will allow you to work on the project without going back and forthto your computer.

These points are enoughfor this to be part of our list.

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Measure And Cut Boards To Length

Using a pencil, measuring tape, and the carpenter square, mark each board according to the lengths listed below. See the picture for how to mark the cuts to maximize the use of the wood.

• Cut the 2 x 4 boards to the following lengths

• 65″

• Cut the 1 x 4 boards to the following lengths

• 22 3/4″

• Cut the 1 x 2 boards to the following lengths

• 58 1/2″

TIP: Write the length on each board before cutting, as many of the boards are very close in length. Labeling the length of each board will eliminate confusion later.

When you are done cutting you should have the following boards:

• 5 Swing seat support boards

• 2 baseboards

• 2 vertical arm rest support boards

• 2 vertical back support boards

• 2 horizontal back support boards

• 2 arm rest boards

• 14 Swing back slats

• 10 Seat slats

To avoid confusion, these names will be used to refer to these boards throughout the rest of this Instructable.

Cut Down The 66 Post To Proper Size

Once the cement cures around your post, decide how tall you want your pergola to be.

Since our patio cement was going to be filled in around our posts, we needed to figure out the height we wanted our pergola from the height of the patio cement.

We wanted the bottom of the middle beam on our swing pergola to be 77 above the ground so that we wouldnt bump our heads on it. Since we were using a 2×8 for our beam, we measured 7 1/4 up from 77 and decided to make our posts 84 1/2 tall from the patio to the top of the post.

Tip: 2x8s are no longer a true 2 inch by 8 inch measurement like they were in the past. They are now 1 1/2 by 7 1/4even though we still call them by their old measurement.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes. There is always a risk when using power tools and certain safety recommendations to follow. Get help from an expert if you need it.

Since our 12 foot post was too tall, we needed to cut some off of the top. We marked a straight line with a carpenters square around the post at 84 1/2.

Then we used a circular saw to cut each side of the post.

Remember: Always measure twice to make sure you are right before you cut. Measure twice, cut once.

A circular saw only cuts about 2 inches into the wood so we finished cutting through the post with a reciprocating saw. Cutting with the circular saw first gave us a straighter cut.

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