While I have been constructing the frame work I have been considering the best way to hold this structure in place, that is, stopping it from possibly swaying once the swings are in full flight. The plans suggest using some of the off-cuts of the preserved timber to produce stakes of between 12 and 18 inches in length and pounding them into the ground next to the base frame and securing them with galvanized deck screws. I had on the previous swing set used this method for holding it down but was a little disappointed with the result, the base did move when the swings were in full flight so I decided to use the steel mixer type ground holds. These items are screwed into the ground up to a depth of twelve inches and will need the help of a bar through the eye of the anchor to gain the required torque to get them to the full depth, but once in there, there’s no way that they will pull out.
To provide the best support possible I placed the anchors in each of the corners by the main uprights so that the seat positions would cover the steel end loop. Connecting to the uprights was by using the steel straps provided with several holes punched in so that I could loop it around the eye of the anchor and connect it to the frame with a lag bolt. The effort required to get them to the full depth proved to be harder than I though especially in this tight confinement but once there I feel confident that it will restrict any movement.
With the fort now anchored I could place the corner seats in position to cover the steel ends, even though there will be a picnic table in this area the corner seat will still be there. To place the corner seats in I had to notch out the face to allow for the seat to fit around the upright, just enough so that I could screw the seat to the tops of the base boards. Without the notch only a portion of the seat overlayed the frame leaving little room to screw it down securely. The plans from Detailed Play Systems that I’ve been following have been very concise so far, with illustrations, plus to the point written instruction. I haven’t come up against any errors as yet but there’s a long way to go.
Now that I’ve got the main structure secure I can concentrate on building up. First off is to place in the diagonal bracing, this will stop any side sway. The bracing connects to the main uprights and the boards that will eventually support the floor or decking. I’ve already cut the 45 degree angles on with the miter saw when I was going through the cutting list so now I have to drill holes for the lag bolts. This was easy enough on the drill press and I was able to counterbore two out of the three holes, the third would have to be done free hand once in position. The reason for this is that it’s on the 45 degree surface angle and the counterbore needs to be ninety degrees to this face. Check out the photo you’ll know what I mean, trying to do it on the drill press would have been asking for trouble unless I clamped it to a fixture to make it rigid. Once I bolted the two through the side boards I could free hand counterbore the last hole, starting square to surface then gradually lifting the bit until the counterbore was square to the hole.
On some of the braces I was finding that they were springing away from the main upright so to pull it back flush I just used a clamp, pilot drilled and bolted it down snug. This was due to the brace over lapping the joist hangers, I remedied this in the later braces by cutting the offending piece so that it didn’t overlap, no more problems.
With all the bracing done I can now slot in the joist beams into the joist hangers ready for the flooring. These fitted in a treat and with a couple of galvanized nails per side that was all that was needed to secure them in place. The last item for the lower part of the structure was to place in the side bar that would act as a deterrent on the swing side. This bar is placed midway from the baseboard to the upper floorboard preventing children from inadvertently walking into the path of a swing. In my case this is placed on the opposite side to the plans as I’m having the swingset on the right, luckily the holes for the bolts were in the right place!
Now the fun begins, I’m going to have to start constructing the upper portion of the fort and with two eager children ready to help things could start to get interesting to say the least!
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