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How to Create a Home Rope Swing

A rope swing is a fun addition to any backyard and especially well-suited to one with a few hardy trees. There is something freeing about swinging in the warm summer breeze. A simple homemade rope swing will bring hours of enjoyment for both young and old. If you are comfortable with basic carpentry skills, this rope swing project can be completed in an afternoon.

Things You'll Need

1-by-8-inch wooden board
Measuring tape
Wood glue
Clamp
1-inch wood screws
Compass
Drill with spade bit
Jigsaw
80-grit sandpaper
Wood paint in desired color
Paintbrushes
Sturdy tree branch, at least 6 inches thick
Large eye bolt with matching washer and nut
Long 1-inch thick, sturdy rope

Instructions

Seat
- 1
  Cut two 16-inch long pieces off the 1-by-8-inch board. These pieces will make up the seat of the swing. Apply wood glue to the face of one of the seat pieces. Place the other seat piece on top of the layer of glue. Adjust the top seat piece, so it is in line with the bottom one, then clamp it in place. Allow the glue to dry completely.
- 2
  Cut an 8-inch long piece of the remaining length of a 1-by-8-inch board. Place this board in the center of the bottom seat board. Attach the square to the seat by screwing it on with 1-inch wood screws in each corner. This is the support board for the seat.
- 3
  Draw as large a circle as you can on the face of the top seat piece. Use a compass to make sure the circle is perfect.
- 4
  Drill a 1-inch hole in the center of the circle you drew, using a drill with a spade bit. The drilled hole should go through both seat pieces and the support piece. This hole will hold the rope.
- 5
  Use a jigsaw to cut out the circle. You should be cutting through both seat pieces. This circle is the seat of the swing.
- 6
  Sand the seat with 80-grit paper. Round over the edges of the seat while sanding to remove splinters and rough spots caused by cutting the wood.
- 7
  Paint the seat of the swing in desired colors and styles. Let the paint dry before hanging the swing.
Hanging
- 8
  Pick a strong, sturdy, tree branch that is at least 6 inches in diameter for the swing to hang. The branch should be high enough of the ground to allow room for swinging.
- 9
  Drill a hole through the center of the branch you selected. Insert an eye bolt through the hole, with the eye facing toward the ground. Secure the bolt using a washer and a nut.
- 10
  Measure the distance from the tree branch to the ground. Cut a length of 1-inch thick rope as long as that measurement.
- 11
  Pass the rope through the center of the eye bolt. Tightly tie the rope to the bolt with a bowline knot. Pull the knot as tight as possible.
- 12
  Thread the hole in the swing seat into the end of the rope that is not tied to the bolt. Pull the swing up to a comfortable height, then tie a tight overhand knot under the seat of the swing. Cut off any extra rope. Leave a small tail to tighten the knot periodically.

Backyard Toys