Porch Swing
 

I want to build a porch swing in an area of our main garden that is always in the shade. This area of the garden isn't used to grow anything other than some mint nearby. It's the perfect area for a porch swing.

I looked online at all the local big box type stores (Home Depot, Sears, Lowes, McCoy's and even Walmart) and found that none of them carry porch swings in-store. Is everything .com now?

I found one that is interesting at [URL]https://shop.mccoys.com/outdoors/outdoor-living/furniture/p.35338[/URL] I like the price and the fact that it comes ready to finish.

Being that it is the shade 24/7 there's no need for a shaded top (cost too much anyway) and I want to build the support frame to look like the picture below - and also paint the swing and support to match the picture.

What I want to use for the support frame is landscape timbers. Something sort of like this [URL]https://www.google.com/search?q=porch+swing+plans&biw=1152&bih=553&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjM2cnD1rbMAhXFCD4KHYVsDdgQ_AUIBygC#imgrc=7_SEV1JhNOIMIM%3A[/URL]

I need to add the picture and then I'll reply more info and questions.

I'm not married to any of these ideas, so thoughts, pictures, and ideas are very welcome. We're just in the planning stage.

In the picture above, center and back, you see a corner post for the garden fence - that is the general area where the porch swing will be.

My wife and grandchildren will use this swing a lot. It needs to hold up to growing grandchildren. My wife only weighs 115 pounds, but I weigh 220, so the swing set needs to easily support 350 pounds swinging on it.

Add something there to repel the 'skeeters, too.

Looks like a nice spot to cool off in. Nice spot,Salt.

You can also use a kids swing frame. If you do, concrete in the legs. Most of the home setups for kids swings, etc., use 4"X4" pressure treated. But what you're looking for is just to build a couple "letter A" setups and then put in a crosspiece to support the chains for the swing.

We find a few at the local flea markets, mostly built from oak. They run about $75 to $100 for a two seater (when you can find them). They really are easy to build from simple plans if you have a table saw to rip the slats. If you have a kiln nearby that dries hardwoods, they usually sell the samples they use to test the dryness for half price or less.

I built one back in 2006 from kiln dried Cherry wood. Cost was about $30 for the wood and 15 for the hardware. I have a few air hammers that do brads, finishing nails, and framing. Once I got the wood cut, it went together in one afternoon.

Good luck on your project. Give us some pictures when you get it done.

Okay Salty I did some research on the swing in question.
It says unfinished hardwood.
I looked on line to reassure my self about Cypress which is what it is made out of.

Even though cypress is considered a hardwood it is a softer wood in structure.
The wood from old growth is pretty good at weather resistance but new growth not as much.
But it is a good wood and is far better than some oaks like red oak.
It just so happens I have spent a ton of time doing research on the strength of woods and bolts in the last day or so.
And things like moments of force on angles and so on.

I have to say wood is a bugger to calculate because it isn't all the same due to grain structure and things like knots and so on.
Also the way the grain is turned.
So I cant just say go down and buy a 2X4 and it will hold so and so weight.

As for hardware they have gone over the top in safety as far as what to use.

The hangers are rated at 500 lbs per hanger there are two so it is 1000 pounds total.
Some of the others are de rated big time.
This is because people will be sitting on them.
This is crazy.
Just look on line at home depot for porch swing hangers and you will see what I am talking about.
Law suits rule the world.:lol:
Back when you and I were kids they would sell s hooks and J hanger bolts to screw into a 2x4 with dag chains.
Not anymore.
If they do they are rated at like 150 pounds.

The same eye bolts they used to sell now say not rated to support people.
Here is a link to turned wire eye bolt load limits.
A 1/2 turned eye bolt working load limit is 200 pounds.
They also say to never load at an angle.
My how times have changed.
[URL="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjtzPXx9rbMAhXD5yYKHXE6DJoQFggiMAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boltdepot.com%2Ffastener-information%2Feye-bolts%2FForged-Eye-Bolt-Working-Load-Limits.aspx&usg=AFQjCNEql5axUIsqzwRSyb4u3-RiMRQq8Q&sig2=qmAhv89R1gkbhIfAlZlGhA"]https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjtzPXx9rbMAhXD5yYKHXE6DJoQFggiMAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boltdepot.com%2Ffastener-information%2Feye-bolts%2FForged-Eye-Bolt-Working-Load-Limits.aspx&usg=AFQjCNEql5axUIsqzwRSyb4u3-RiMRQq8Q&sig2=qmAhv89R1gkbhIfAlZlGhA[/URL]

You say you weight 200 pounds.
If you were sitting in the middle of the swing your weight would be supported by both bolts.
If you were under one of the bolts it would be supporting all of your weight.

Now the part that is weak is the turned eye not the bolt itself.
A 1/2 grade 2 coarse thread bolt has a proof load of around 7800 pounds.
I wish I had my bolt book I left up there.:(

Now lets get to the wood.
I may or may not would use the landscape timbers to do this.
Reason is what I said earlier.
If you look all of them are the center of a log.
One thing to consider it where the hangers would be at.
It would be at the ends so the support would be stronger there than in the middle.
Theoretically if it would hold up 100 pounds in the middle it would support 200 pounds halfway to the end from the middle me thinks.

Here is a little project I have been working on to lift a 1000 pound weight.
Not finished yet but each square represents 6 inches.
None of the other dimensions are exactly right but I needed to do a drawing to calculate some things.
But it will show you how to support the structure you are thinking of building.
A little over board but I know you have your families safety in mind also.
Worth
[ATTACH]59693[/ATTACH]

Salt, just don't get one foot off the porch swing...

Worth, that is what I am thinking about. Thank you for all the research. I will ask Jan to read this tomorrow. I would ask her to check it out tonight but she's working till 8 tonight, and then go back at 7 in the morning :(

She's about to change her availability to 7am-7pm

[QUOTE=AlittleSalt;556259]Worth, that is what I am thinking about. Thank you for all the research. I will ask Jan to read this tomorrow. I would ask her to check it out tonight but she's working till 8 tonight, and then go back at 7 in the morning :(

She's about to change her availability to 7am-7pm[/QUOTE]

Your welcome Salt it just so happens I was doing this yesterday and brushing up and this stuff.

I have to do everything by myself and have to be careful not to get hurt.

One thing you can do to greatly increase the strength of the bent wire type eye bolts is to weld the eye together at the gap.

I am so used to industrial type stuff I cannot believe how cheaply made the stuff it at some of the stores.
As for lifting my 1000 pound load I cant use a forklift in my garage.:lol:

I have looked up some stuff for you.
Here is the chain rated at 545 pounds.
[url]http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-2-0-x-40-ft-Zinc-Plated-Straight-Link-Chain-806440/203958838[/url]



Worth

I will most likely go with that chain you posted the link to. Jan will like that it is shiny and new. Of course I like the 545# part and the fact that it's not going to rust.

Thinking of chains, we do have a lot of chains around the barn. I need to look at them and see what we've got. They're probably too big. I know two of them are tow chains - my father called them log chains.

Here are these chain quick links they make all sizes.
This is the small one and it working load limit is 480 pounds.
I think these come in packs of three.
I have screwed myself before and the thing wouldn't fit in the chain or the eye bolt.
[url]http://www.homedepot.com/p/Crown-Bolt-1-8-in-Stainless-Steel-Quick-Link-64684/203001534[/url]

I just dug up information from the lowes site on the turned wire type eye bolts.
The 3/8ths is 190 the 1/2 is 300 and the 5/8 was 560 pounds.
Stanly brand.
The forged eye bolts go up into the 2000 pound range or more.
Remember the two bolts that connect to the swing will share the load but they will be at an angle.
So 190 X 4 is 760 divided by 3 is 253.3 X 2 = 506.6 pounds.
Jethro math but it works for me.:lol:
This is accommodating the side load on the eye bolts at a 60 degree angle.
So a 3/8 bolt would be fine.
The top eye bolts I think would be fine at 300 pounds each also.
If it were me I would run both chains on both sides to the very top and get rid of almost all of the side load and connect them to the link right under the eye bolt there.
This will also keep the seat from flipping and relieve a ton of stress on the wooden seat.


Worth

While doing yet more looking for swing information I found this video.
Everything you wanted to know about porch swings.:lol:
[url]https://youtu.be/07_rnlBezQg[/url]

Cool song Worth !

Salt, you may want to consider using stainless steel hardware to assemble your swing if you can, its expensive but lasts forever especially outdoors.

Worth, uh huh. :yes:

Steve, I've looked at some of those too.

I wouldn't worry about the loading as much as the lateral stability of the hanger - in other words, the frame. A porch swing can anchor into the ceiling joists. You'll be in a free-standing frame. You may be a subdued swinger, but the kids will be going for height at some point. You'll want a lot stronger frame with a wider leg angle than the one in your original picture.

Might consider tying it to a tree (overhead branch?) for safety.

I can see the day where I'll be picking up the swing to get the wrapped chains off the ceiling joist. There is a reason why I sometimes refer to them as grandmonsters.:lol:

Grandmonsters! LOL!

[QUOTE=dmforcier;556492]I wouldn't worry about the loading as much as the lateral stability of the hanger - in other words, the frame. A porch swing can anchor into the ceiling joists. You'll be in a free-standing frame. You may be a subdued swinger, but the kids will be going for height at some point. You'll want a lot stronger frame with a wider leg angle than the one in your original picture.

Might consider tying it to a tree (overhead branch?) for safety.[/QUOTE]

I have a picture I need to draw to show how to resolve this how it works and why.
The picture I drew isn't finished and is for lifting not swinging at least I hope not.:lol:
As for loading I have seen this things collapse when two grown men sit on the swing. :shock:
It is always a hook or eye straightening out.

This reminds me of the time a guy I worked with came over with his wife.
She sat in one of our new lawn chairs and it collapsed due to her 400 pound weight.
They used to make stuff that was sturdy now they dont for the most part.
Then they cover their tails by putting load limits on the product.

Take a ladder for example there is a reason they are red green blue orange and yellow.
Each one has a load limit of 200, 225, 250, 300, 375 respectively.
Worth

There was a time in my life I thought all of this stuff was common knowledge but after working with many people I realized it wasn't including my father.:lol:
This is why I am putting up pictures and trying to help anyone that is interested.
Here is a pictuer of two swing like things I think they are self explanatory.
The one on the right shows a regular A frame with the weight in the middle hanging straight down.
All of the energy is directed down.
In the same picture you will see the swinging weight on the outside of the frame.
Now some of the energy is directed outside the frame.
Due to leverage the leg closest to the weight is directed down but the leg farthest away it is directed up.
Once you get outside the frame you end up in the critical area and all of this force is reversed so to speak on the right leg.
There is also another thing at play the angle of the support legs.
Not only do they play a role in the critical zone of the swing they also play a role in leverage and center of gravity.
The second picture shows how you can overcome this with an imaginary line due to the fact you have put your frame at a 60 degree angle but installed two boards at the bottom increasing the angle and changing the center of gravity.
Levers gears pulleys inclined plains and yes even a swing works on this same principle.
You can speed things up change direction or slow things down in each case sacrificing one for the other.
Worth
[ATTACH]59740[/ATTACH]

The board is a good idea. I like it.

From what I've seen of public swings, they set the legs in concrete, probably to offset lift. And don't forget that the weight of the swing set itself will have a decided effect.

Materials Update
 

This structure in the pictures below is going to be torn down soon. It is behind my brother's house and is completely useless. It's only making our property taxes higher.

It's made of 2x6s and 4x4 posts. The four tallest 4x4 posts measure 8' from ground level to the top. I'm guessing they are 2' in the ground - so maybe 10' tall?

It's free materials to build the porch swing support.

I know that has been around a long time and maybe a member of your family put them in.
Not to say anything bad about them but on a light hearted side if they are anything like the people on my street they are in maybe 6 inches.:lol:
I have never in my life seen so many leaning flopping mail boxes.
It takes a lot of work to put a 2 foot hole in the ground here.
You need a big heavy rock chipping bar and post hole diggers.

Worth

LOL Worth, I know exactly about the people you writing about.

This was built by father who believed in the opposite extreme. Every place where 2xs join and two 12 penny nails would last for decades - he would drive in five 16 penny nails instead - even though 16P nails were made for real 2"s. When we would pour a mailbox slab for a brick or stone mailbox - it had to be 24" deep with 5/8 rebar. The fill inside was laid in mortar. If a vehicle hits one of the brick or stone mailbox supports we built - the car would be totaled. That was just him, and yes, I tend to do the same. I taught our children to build it right too.

But with this said, I like getting other ideas and thoughts, and improving. Like with the pole bean supports, sometimes my ideas doing things doesn't work. I'll admit it and change it. I want it to be right.

What my father and grandfather taught me in their own respective ways - is to do it and look at it and not only be proud of it, but leave others saying, "%^&* that looks good. That is who I am.

That's the porch swing I want to build.

My brother's porch swing in our garden. Jan doesn't like it in the garden. The place where the new one will be built is outside the garden and has unlimited room to build it.

The swing in the picture was bought in either 1969 or 1970

[QUOTE=AlittleSalt;558520]My brother's porch swing in our garden. Jan doesn't like it in the garden. The place where the new one will be built is outside the garden and has unlimited room to build it.

The swing in the picture was bought in either 1969 or 1970[/QUOTE]

Dude that is cool if those chairs/swing date back to that time they are worth quite a bit.

Worth

It was originally a glider. The glider support didn't last but for a few years. It was bought for my grandmother. It has been painted many times over the years, but can still be refurbished. It has been very well used by many people.

Where I worked at they had the old original Herman Miller fiberglass clam chairs from years ago.
100's
They were getting rid of them.
I went to the person in charge and told them what the value was and to nit toss then.
These old chairs go for a very good sum of money in the retro business these days.

Worth

My Swing Design
 

Here is what I did when I wanted a swing, treated 6x6 concrete footings and solid bracing. Hope this helps.

That is a nice looking swing.

It seems like May was a long time ago now. We tried my brother's porch swing in several places and it never got used. The thought of building one was all but dead. Then, a couple of days ago, we moved it under a tree that has morning glories growing around 15-20' behind it, raised beds to each side, a huge ivy bed in front, and behind the ivy bed is our main garden.

Yesterday was another typical dog days of summer type day here with 95+ heat and high humidity. We were sitting doing our normal evening routine when suddenly there was thunder and wind with sprinkling rain. My wife went out and sat on the porch swing enjoying the changing weather. I swear she looked like she was 20 again.

It was 'the' change I've been needing. It finally made me see the changes I've been making around the place as being worth while. I have sat aside money for fireworks for Independence Day. After yesterday evening, I thought, I could either entertain people for 20-30 minutes of fireworks or build a porch swing that'll last a lifetime. I'm going to build that porch swing. Someone else can buy fireworks.