Do-it-yourself garden swing made of metal: drawings, dimensions, how to make it for children

Garden swings at the dacha or in the garden add variety to the relaxation of home owners. This relatively simple design pleases not only children, but also adults, who happily spend their free time on them, swinging in the fresh air. There are many ready-made options on the market - both simple and original, but if you look at the drawings of a garden swing made of metal, you can make them yourself. The main thing here is to familiarize yourself with the basic subtleties of the process and adhere to the manufacturing technology.

Pros and cons of metal swings for the garden

The high popularity of country swings made of metal with your own hands is due to a lot of positive aspects that are observed during their assembly and operation:

Long service life. Unlike wooden products, metal structures can last much longer if they are properly cared for.
Sufficient level of stability. Since metal swings have serious weight, they can quite adequately withstand any impact without the risk of deformation changes. In addition, the likelihood of such an installation being stolen from the site is extremely low.
High decorative qualities. The finished structure can be made taking into account the existing landscape design, and even become the highlight of a personal plot or cottage. A product decorated with wooden inserts, textiles, and plastic looks especially impressive.
Resistance to wind loads, sunlight, temperature changes.
No special care required. If initially the metal swing was made taking into account all the norms and requirements, then in the future it will be enough to simply clean it from dust.
Possibility of self-assembly. To make a yard swing from metal with your own hands, you need a drawing, consumables and desire.

Despite a whole list of advantages, metal products also have their weak points that must be taken into account before their manufacture and installation:

The need to form a foundation. This is due to the high probability of metal garden swings sagging into the ground.
The size of heavy products makes it difficult to move them to another place if the desire arises.
To increase the level of comfort, additional elements such as pillows and seat pads are required. Also, decorative items will help reduce the feeling of discomfort in hot or cool weather.
The need for special treatment of metal garden swings against corrosion.
The need for a welding machine and the skills to use it, since the connection with its help is considered the most reliable.
There is a risk of injury from the metal swing frame.

Variety of models by type of fastening

Garden swings differ not only in shape and size, but also in the type of fastening.

Stationary

Fixed swings are equipped with two wooden supports (or pipes with a cross-section of 150-200 mm), which are installed in the ground and concreted.

The advantage is that they can be placed anywhere. This design itself is durable, its service life is estimated at many tens of years. It can withstand significant loads.

A fixed swing can accommodate up to four people, often with a canopy or canopy for protection from the elements.

To install beams in the ground, two small holes 1.4 meters deep and 45 cm in diameter are dug, fine crushed stone is poured (40 cm layer), it is well crushed. One end of the beam is primed, wrapped with waterproofing, and placed in a hole. Then you should prepare the concrete:

4 pieces of sand;
1 part cement.
5 pieces of small crushed stone up to 20 mm;

The rods are placed in a hole, centered at a two-meter level, fixed and filled with concrete. You should wait 2-3 weeks before subjecting such a support to any stress.

This construction is best done in the fall; according to the technology, the concrete is “good” for another five months, that is, this process will stretch throughout the entire winter period.

Mobile, hanging

This product is self-contained and does not require additional suspension. In addition, this model can also be moved to any location. The configuration may vary. The swing, which is fixed with chains, is durable. You can hang a more massive structure on them (withstand loads of up to 300 kg).

Among the disadvantages are the following nuances:

large links can cause injury: if you pick up the chains while swinging, your fingers may get caught between the links;
Use is only possible in cold weather because the joints are heated by the sun.

Garden swings that are attached to a rope are very popular in use because the price of such material is low, and the design with such a stand is very simple.

Professionals:

safe use;
does not require special support in case of suspension;
easy to repair.
affordable price;

Flaws:

in the near future;
Do not hang heavy structures.

Types of homemade metal swings

The design of a metal swing can be very diverse; there are many interesting options. But in the classic version, the product has an A-shaped rack, they are connected by a crossbar installed on top. To increase the degree of rigidity, use a jumper (for tightening).

There are swing configurations where such an element as a jumper is not used; the supports are made in an L-shape. A primitive solution is a U-shaped metal swing. But here it will be necessary to deepen and concrete the supports for stability. There are beautiful metal swings that are very different from ordinary ones; the seats can be hung from tree branches, or on the veranda - separately from the frame.

Metal swings are also divided into the following groups:

Stationary type, where there is a need for concreting supports.
A mobile variety, they are fixed to the surface of the earth either with reinforcement or anchors.

Depending on the size of the hand-made metal swings, they can be family (large) or children's.

Selection of profile pipe

To build swings welded from metal, corners, round pipes, and brands are used. But more often they choose profile pipes, since they, compared to other types of rolled metal, have the following advantages:

convenient form for work;
the walls form stiffening ribs, which increases strength;
resistance to mechanical damage.

Among the disadvantages it should be noted:

the complexity of bending, you can’t do without a special machine;
the need for high-quality corrosion protection.

Profiles of various shapes are used to manufacture swing elements:

Bent parts are made from oval pipes, such as seats, arches, armrests;
square and rectangular profiles are used for the manufacture of elements with heavy loads - racks and spacers;
auxiliary parts are made from flat pipes.

What you need for a homemade metal swing

To weld a metal swing with your own hands, you need to prepare:

roulette;
building level;
grinder (hacksaw);
welding machine (mask, gloves);
electric drill with a set of drills for metal and wood;
screwdriver;
self-tapping screws for mounting polycarbonate sheets;
vice;
pliers;
hammer;
set of wrenches.

Supplies you will need:

metal profile (angle/pipes of various sections);
lumber for assembling the bench (timbers, boards);
bolts with semi-countersunk heads, equipped with washers and nuts;
suspensions with bearings;
chains;
carbines;
eye bolts made of galvanized or stainless steel for bench installation;
anchors for attaching the swing to the foundation (bent reinforcing bars);
for making a canopy polycarbonate sheet;
primer against metal corrosion;
metal paint;
stain and varnish for processing;
brushes for work.

Seat fixing options

Fixing the seat to the frame can be done using various methods, but in any case it requires a separate development of the fastening mechanism.

Fixation with a spring. An eyelet with a hole for the spring is welded to the cross beam; a similar eyelet is installed at the end of the seat mounting pipe. Next, a dense spring is threaded between the holes. This fixation is suitable primarily for garden swings and additionally acts as a flavoring agent for comfortable relaxation.

Fixation with an anchor. Mainly used for swings where impressive swinging is planned. The anchor consists of two metal plates, between which a ring is threaded, fixed to a bolt between the plates. In this case, the pipe from the swing seat is welded to the anchor ring.

Fixation of seats from a chain. The most common fixation for seats is on ring chains. To do this, rings are welded to the crossbar of the swing, through which the chain is threaded. The chain can also be fixed to a hook fixed through a ring, or directly to a hook placed on the crossbar.

In building materials stores you can also find special anchor bolts for attaching chains from the seat to the main frame of the swing.

It is recommended to fix the garden swing at the four corners of the seat for stability, and you can lean your elbows on the back.

Metal swing design

To build a reliable structure that fits organically into the landscape design, you need to figure out which material is most suitable for this work. And also view photos of a metal swing made by yourself.

What metal is the swing frame made of?

For welded products, it is effective to use angles, tees, and round pipes. But the best option is the profile type, because they:

convenient to use;
due to the walls, stiffening ribs are formed (strength characteristics increase);
high level of resistance to mechanical damage.

If we consider profile pipes from the disadvantages side, we can only highlight:

difficulty in bending (special equipment required);
the use of effective measures to protect against corrosive changes is required.

To make an adult or children's swing from metal with your own hands according to the diagram, you should decide on the profile; it can be of various shapes. The most commonly used pipes are:

oval for the manufacture of bent swing elements (seats, armrests, arches);
square/rectangular are necessary for racks and spacers (parts with serious load);
flat for additional structural elements.

Metal swings can be mounted using racks that are concreted in the ground (stationary type) or attached to a frame using anchor bolts or reinforcement driven into the ground (mobile version). Portable products are especially relevant for seasonal use; they are easier to place indoors for winter storage.

If we compare in terms of stability, then A-shaped swings, which have a jumper at the bottom, are better than U-shaped ones, although the latter do not cause difficulties during assembly. Here, for reliability, deep digging with concrete pouring will be required. If a mobile swing is made, then L-shaped supports are used to increase the level of stability.

You can hang a metal swing bench, assembled with your own hands, by using:

clamps with hooks;
anchor bolts with loops, which are installed in holes made in the top crossbar;
ball bearings (to avoid squeaking, you need to lubricate them periodically).

Important!
To reliably and permanently connect profile pipes to the crossbar, it is necessary to use bearings. The seat of a hand-made metal swing is suspended using rope, chains, cable, and profile pipes. Each of these methods has both advantages and disadvantages that should be considered when choosing a specific option. Rope is a simple type of suspension, but not durable, the chain and cable are prone to rust, and painting them at the joints does not help.

Drawings of a homemade metal swing for a summer house

A review of the most common drawings of a device for swinging outdoors will help you decide on the choice of one or another version of a metal structure.

Swings for children up to 6 years old

The low weight of children makes it possible to make simple structures, which, as a rule, are assembled from pipes with a diameter of 50 mm. A drawing is first drawn up with the dimensions of all components.

For children, a design in the shape of the letter “L” is suitable, with a height of 1.5-2 meters. It is better to make it portable; to do this, a square-shaped base is welded to the bottom of the supports.

Clamp a metal rod in a vice and bend it into a hook shape. The length of such a pin is one meter, of which 50 cm is driven into the ground. Four fastenings are enough to stabilize the product and prevent it from tipping over.

Photo: children's swing made of round profile pipe. If a bearing is installed at the hinge joint, smooth running is ensured.

How to make a metal swing with your own hands

To make a structure that will both decorate the local area and help you take a break from the hustle and bustle, you need to choose only high-quality consumables and follow a certain technology.

How to make a swing from a metal profile with your own hands

This material perfectly distributes the load on the frame. To make a swing with a height of 1.8 m, a pitch width of 1.4 m and a crossbar size of 1.6 m, you will need a 55 mm profile pipe. The parameters of the bench are: width 0.5 m, distance from the ground 0.5 m and depth 0.35 m. The metal structure includes the following materials:

profile pipe for assembling racks (16 m);
metal corner (2 m);
edged board for bench;
metal loops (ears) for hanging the bench;
bearings (2 pcs.).

In order for the frame to have sufficient stability, it is necessary to dig holes for the supports and prepare the ingredients for the working solution: sand, water, cement, a container for mixing it.

The algorithm for assembling a swing involves performing the following actions:

Using a welding machine, make A-shaped side posts, maintaining a distance between them of 1.4 m. It should be taken into account that 50-60 cm of the posts will be dug and concreted into the ground.
Install the crossbar, on which the “ears” have already been welded to the side supports in advance.
Mount the bench frame by welding from metal corners. Attach the profile pipe for hanging the seat.
Using rope chains, attach the hanging part of the swing to the crossbar.

How to make a metal swing with bearings with your own hands

You can make a swing using bearings using a similar scheme as in the previous version. Only fix the hanging part on bearings installed on the main pipe of the upper lintel of the structure frame.

Another fixation option is to use end fastenings (to the side supports), or to the upper frame tube using bearing units.

Advice! To ensure secure fastening, it is recommended to secure the bearings with a lock nut.

How to make a swing from metal with forging

A forged swing in a dacha certainly gives it solidity, creating an atmosphere of wealth and success for the owners. Due to its heaviness, it is quite stable and can easily withstand bad weather and strong gusts of wind. But at the same time, this is a complex object that hardly anyone can make with their own hands without some experience and equipment. It is better to order such a design from professionals.

How to make a large metal swing with your own hands

Before calculating the metal for a swing, you need to determine the capacity of this recreational facility. So, for a married couple and one child, it is enough to make a bench 1.6 m wide. And to comfortably accommodate three adults, the bench should have a width of 180-200 cm. When drawing up a sketch of a garden swing made of metal, you also need to focus on the features of the existing landscape or room , where the recreation facility will be installed.

To make durable, but at the same time not bulky swings, use:

profile pipe with a wall width of 40-70 mm, thickness 1-2 mm (these will be racks and crossbars);
rectangular pipe with a cross section of 15-20 mm (lintels, frame for a bench);
wooden blocks 30×30 (for the bench);
for hanging the structure, rope, chain (load 250-300 kg);
6 pieces of eye bolts equipped with nuts and engraving washers (for hanging the bench);
paint for metal surfaces;
varnish for processing wooden blocks.

Important! To prevent negative consequences - a collision of the bench with the supports, it is necessary to maintain a distance between them of 0.35 m for rope, and 0.25 m for chains.

First, you need to cut 4 pipes 2.5 m long for arranging the racks and 1 pipe 2.1 m long for the crossbar. Then cut the edges of these elements at an angle of 30 ° C and weld them in pairs in the form of isosceles triangles.

Then you need to weld a horizontal jumper, moving 2 m from the top. Its size should be 1.038 m. Using a welding machine, attach the crossbar to the upper parts of the racks, which need to be spaced a couple of meters apart. The ends should protrude 50 mm on both sides. Cut one and a half meter long wooden blocks for the bench. They need to be sanded and varnished, then the bars must be fixed to the frame of the bench using bolts with a pitch of 20-25 mm. Depending on the size of the bars, the distance between them can be adjusted.

By using eye bolts, hang the bench from the crossbar, which are mounted in pre-prepared holes. Dig 4 holes on the site, the depth of which is at least 45-50 cm. Lay a layer of crushed stone, 10 cm sand on the bottom, install supports and fill them with a concrete mixture of 1 part cement, 2 sand and 3 water.

You can try the swing for stability after 3-4 days. Once completed they are painted.

How to make a metal swing with a canopy

This type of garden swing can be assembled in the same way as in the previous case, only here a canopy must be provided to protect vacationers from the scorching rays of the sun and precipitation. It is a rectangular structure made of a metal frame, jumpers and a sheet of cellular polycarbonate. The roofing material must be installed at an angle, otherwise water and snow will linger on the swing. After manufacturing, the visor is also welded at an angle to the top of the swing.

Important! It is necessary to install polycarbonate using special fasteners with sealing washers. To prevent dust and insects from entering, the end caps are covered with a polymer profile.

How to make a metal swing for two with your own hands

There are several ways to make a device for swinging two children, where one involves making a U-shaped object, and the other involves making a structure with A-shaped posts reinforced in the middle part.

Instructions with detailed description:

By using a drill, make holes for fastening. From the inside, to enhance the effect, use thick metal plates.
Fix the crossbar to the racks using bolts with locknuts and Grover washers.
Install the seat on suspensions.
The posts are concreted.

The swing can be secured either with bolts or using a welding machine. To equip the facility, a square metal profile with a side of 60 mm and a length of 3 m is used. After installation, the height of the structure will be 2 m, and 50 cm will be in the ground.

Seat installation

It is welded from a metal profile at an angle of 90 degrees. The master calculates the dimensions of the seat according to the baby. But they should not be less than 60 cm wide and 50 cm deep. Back height - from 30 cm or more. You can also provide armrests for the baby. This will make it more convenient to swing.

The process then looks like this:

Two chain rings are welded to the frame in the armrest area.
The welded seat is sanded, removing sharp metal burrs. They can injure the baby.
The next stage is the preparation of wooden slats for the seat and backrest. Their number is calculated by the total depth of the seat and the height of the backrest, divided by the width of the wooden plank. The wood is cut into pieces and sanded well on all sides.
Holes are made in the seat frame for bolts/screws with a round head. The same ones are formed on planks.
Then the workpieces are attached to the welded frame, tightening the nuts well from the back.
The metal should also be treated with an anti-corrosion compound and painted. The wood is coated with varnish or any bright coloring agent.
The final stage of assembling the structure is the installation of circuits. Their length is measured so that the seat hangs 50-70 cm from the ground. The chain (2 pieces) is attached to the seat rings. And in the upper part they are hung on spring hooks-shock absorbers. They are pre-lubricated with machine oil.

Tip: to prevent the child from injuring his fingers in the links of the chain, you can put pieces of rubber hose or any similar material on it before installing the suspension.

Seat drawing

You might like this: How to build a summer shower for your cottage yourself

Useful tips

In order for a DIY metal swing on chains or other suspension to serve for a long time and reliably, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

use high-quality consumables;
do not skimp on fasteners;
do not ignore treatment with an anti-corrosion compound;
treat wooden blocks with a primer;
use a canopy to protect from the sun and precipitation;
For comfortable use, sew soft decorative elements in the form of pillows, seats, covers using waterproof material and foam rubber.

In addition, for greater originality and attractive appearance, it is recommended to decorate the racks with patterns. Plant perennials around the swing, install a decorative fence, and arrange a children's play area.

Having a lot of positive characteristics, which cannot be said about other materials for assembling home-made structures, metal products require periodic and proper care. This is due to the risk of rust appearing on them.

It is necessary to inspect the garden object from time to time, clean rusty areas, and, if necessary, tint them. But first you should treat problem areas with a rust converter to prevent oxides from forming a protective film. And only then can you start painting the surface.

To avoid unpleasant squeaking, you should use oil. This technique allows you to extend the service life of the swing. It is advisable to store the chains in a dry room for the winter.

Peculiarities

If there are children in the family, having a swing is an excellent option for spending free time. There are a huge number of garden swings on sale. But assembling a structure with your own hands is always interesting and exciting. There are several types of metal garden swings that you can make with your own hands:

for the whole family (a massive structure consisting of a large bench that can accommodate young and old);
for children (small swings that consist of one or two seats, only a child can ride on them).

Drawings with dimensions

Before you start making a swing with your own hands, you will need to make a competent drawing of the future design. It is necessary to indicate on it all the dimensions of the product, the location of the bearings, the materials of manufacture and all other nuances.

When constructing a swing, it is recommended to observe the following dimensions:

support frames are installed at a distance of 140 cm - 180 cm from each other;
the height of the structure can vary from 210 cm to 230 cm;
the distance from the edge of the seat to the ground should be within 45 cm.

Rules for safe holidays

When using the swing, the following safety precautions must be observed:

Do not exceed the permissible load on the mechanism. This can lead to distortion and breakage of the structure;
It is not recommended to swing too much on the swing, as it may tip over or fail;
It is not recommended to sit on the product too sharply. This will lead to a violation of the strength of its foundation. It is also prohibited to jump or rock the seat from side to side on such products.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that garden swings with bearings can cause a lot of delight not only among small users, but also among adults. With them you can remember your childhood, swinging high or just relaxing in the garden on warm summer evenings.