Crossbeam swing set

[patrik19836]

Planning to build my own swing set for the kids this summer. I have figured out how and what to use for everything except what to use to get a strong and stable crossbeam that doesn't sway significantly even when older kids swing. The span will be about 350-420cm.

Previously, I had a 95*95 beam positioned with the 90-degree corners up/down/front/back on another swing with about a 380cm span. This worked when they were small but isn't stable enough now.

The ideas I have are:
• Glulam beam, for example, 56*225, which I will treat with oil or something similar.
• A homemade beam made from 4-5 pressure-treated 45*70 that I glue and screw together myself. I won't plane or anything, but lots of clamps, of course.
• Construction timber might work if I find a long enough piece.

 

[Alfredo]

An old telephone pole?

 

[patrik19836]

Is an option too, but I don't have any at home...

 

[Gabbe1]

HEA 100 or 120 should be fine.
Or is it a requirement that it is wood?

 

[Peter2400]

Isn't it simpler to take 2 printed 45x195 with glue and fasten together with screws. You can mount it directly and it should be stable enough.

 

[patrik19836]

HEA 100 or 120 should be good. Or is it a requirement that it's wood?

A bit of an aesthetic requirement yes.

 

[patrik19836]

Isn't it easier to take 2 printed 45x195 with glue and pull together with screws. You can mount it directly and it should be stable enough.

Yes, that can work, and it's easier. But I have the idea that it will become more "side stable" with several 45*70 or 45*95 studs glued together.

 

[Gabbe1]

A small aesthetic requirement indeed.

Tsss, that is highly subjective.
I have never seen a piece of wood that was more aesthetically pleasing than a HEA beam

 

[RogerH]

I built a swing set for the kids a few years ago, span about 4 m (three swings), no sway, ordered pressure-treated round wood from the local lumberyard. 15 cm diameter on the 4 legs and 20 cm on the crossbeam, sunk the legs slightly into the ground. Then it was stable for both sway and leg lift, I think I paid about 2000:- for the five pieces, reinforced with a crossbar between the legs on each side. It became a sturdy structure that held for big kids

 

[Peter2400]

Yes, it can work, and is easier. But I get the impression that it becomes more "side-stable" with several 45*70 or 45*95 studs glued together.

I also think that idea might be somewhat more side-stable, however, virtually all the load-bearing capacity that your beam has depends on your glue joints.

It can be difficult to guarantee that with pressure-treated moist lumber outdoors.

With "my" solution, the glue joint is significantly less critical.

 

[patrik19836]

however, almost all the load-bearing capacity of your beam depends on your glued joints.

As well as the excessive amount of screws used to fasten the studs, and the threaded rods right through.

 

[myrstack]

Drove a T-shaped construction with a horizontal lintel (lightly planed for drainage) and an 8" upright underneath. All pressure-treated for negligible maintenance.

Even the three Japanese gentlemen with impressive BMI that a certain construction chain is using in their advertising now could have used this without swaying.

 

[patrik19836]

Ran a T-shaped construction with a horizontal tie beam (slightly planed for drainage) and a vertical 8" underneath. All treated for minimal maintenance.

Even the three Japanese gentlemen with impressive BMI that a certain hardware chain uses in their advertisement now could have used this without wobbling

Interesting, what dimension on the horizontal one, and how long is the span?

 

[myrstack]

3 swings, approximately 4 meters between the attachments. The crossbeam was 2"x5" if I remember correctly. Glued and screwed downward but only screwing would probably have sufficed.