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How to Make a Seat for a Rope Swing

A simple rope swing can give children hours of outdoor fun and enjoyment. Hang it from a wooden frame or from a sturdy tree in the yard. Creating a wooden seat for a rope swing requires some basic woodworking skills and the right tools, but it doesn't take long to make. With proper maintenance, it can last for years.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 pieces of 1-by-8 oak, each 16 inches long
  • 1 piece of 1-by-8 oak, 14 inches long
  • Power saw
  • Exterior wood glue
  • 24-inch adjustable-bar wood clamps
  • Wood screws
  • Electric drill
  • Drill bit, 3/16 inch
  • Spade drill bit, 1-inch
  • Jigsaw
  • Sandpaper
  • Paintbrush
  • Exterior acrylic paint
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure and cut two pieces of 1-by-8 oak 16 inches long. Cut a third third piece of 1-by-8 oak 14 inches long.

    • 2

      Glue the edges of the two 16-inch pieces together to create a 16-inch square. Use exterior wood glue. Run a bead of glue along the edge of one board. Align the edge of the second board with the first.

    • 3

      Hold the two sections in place with wood clamps until the glue dries.

    • 4

      Place the 14-inch board, centered, across the seam of the two 16-inch pieces. Attach the brace, using an electric drill and 1 1/4-inch wood screws. The braced side forms the bottom of the seat.

    • 5

      Turn the seat with the brace facing down. Find the center of the seat. From one corner, draw a diagonal line to the opposite corner. Use the same process to create an "X" starting at the opposite corner. The center is where the two lines cross.

    • 6

      Draw a circle on the seat's surface. Tap a small finishing nail into the center of the seat. Tie a string measuring half the length of the seat to the nail. Attach a pencil to the other end of the string. Pull the string taut, and with the pencil trace a complete circle on the wood's surface.

    • 7

      Remove the nail and string. Use a jigsaw to cut out the circle following the pencil mark.

    • 8

      Drill a hole through the center of the seat using an electric drill with a 1-inch spade bit.

    • 9

      Sand any rough edges with sandpaper. Paint the seat with exterior acrylic paint.

    • 10

      Push the bottom end of the swing rope through the hole in the seat. Tie the end of the rope in a tight knot to prevent the rope from coming out of the hole. Burn the end of the rope to prevent fraying.


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