An important role in the functionality of the suburban area is played by the component for rest and leisure. If you make a garden swing with your own hands from metal, the yard will be transformed, it will become more comfortable. Suspended seats are more ergonomic, allow the body to take a comfortable position, relax mentally and physically. The simplicity of the design does not cause any particular problems when making a swing yourself.
Features of metal models
When choosing between plastic, wood and metal, the latter option is given priority in almost all respects. Compared to other materials, it possesses such essential qualities as strength, reliability and durability. Iron is more expensive than analogues, and it needs regular care. However, when it comes to performance, it is unmatched in every respect. In production, you can use not only new, but also used raw materials. Depending on the chosen assembly method and the availability of tools, the connection of parts can be carried out for welding, rivets and bolts with nuts.
The high weight is an advantage, as it determines the stability and strength of the structure. The visual aspect can not be taken into account, since there are many ways to decorate. All types of metal go well with materials that are used in construction and finishing work.
How to choose a swing made of metal
When planning to design a swing with your own hands from metal, you need to carefully consider their size, device and functionality, options.
The choice is quite wide:
- By destination. There are structures for one, two riders, a child or several children.
- By seat arrangement. A bench, a seat with a backrest, a folding sofa-bed transformer.
- By type of supports. There are no restrictions, but the most popular supports are in the form of the letter "A" and "P".
- By design. Stationary and wearable, one-piece and collapsible.
- By options. Armrests, urns, flowerpot stands, shelves, awnings, footrests can be used here.
- By swing directions. There are mechanisms for moving back and forth, sideways and circular.
- By the type of pendants. They are tough and flexible, paired and singles.
After making a decision, you should draw several sketches, choose the best option and draw up a detailed drawing. A competent project will allow you to complete the work quickly, accurately and beautifully.
Assessment of the main advantages and disadvantages
Homemade swing will cost an order of magnitude cheaper than factory counterparts, but this is not the main thing.
Metal products are distinguished by the following advantages:
- Strength. The pipes are resistant to tensile, bending and twisting loads. Even a thin profile is able to withstand a weight of several hundred kilograms without consequences.
- Durability. With the right approach to service, the products will last for at least 50 years, delivering pleasant impressions and sensations to several generations of residents of the house and their guests.
- Ease of assembly. Profile pipes are easy to cut and join, and it will not be difficult to find the necessary components on sale.
- Quite affordable cost.Iron is decent, but high-quality, outdoor-grade wood can be even more expensive.
Negative sides:
- Corrosive tendency. All types of metal must be regularly treated with protective compounds, cleaning off the spent layers.
- Limited resource of mobile connections. Hinges, hinges, bearings wear out, and in strong winds this process is much accelerated due to contamination with abrasive particles.
- Difficulty bending pipes. This cannot be done manually. You will have to buy / make a machine or contact a specialized workshop.
The assembly process is not easy, but interesting, and the approval of the family will be a reward for the master for the work.
Tools and materials for work
- welding;
- Bulgarian;
- level;
- electric drill;
- screwdriver;
- spanners;
- roulette;
- core;
- hacksaw;
- riveter;
- marker;
- paint brush;
- ladder.
List of materials:
- square profile;
- corner;
- sheet steel 5 mm;
- rotary devices;
- iron chain;
- lumber - timber, lath, board;
- bolts, nuts, self-tapping screws with silicone washers, rivets;
- primer;
- antiseptic;
- roof covering.
A separate issue is the material for the canopy. Here the choice is made from cellular polycarbonate, tarpaulin, PVC cloth, corrugated board, boards with soft tiles.
Swing attachment types and classification
Having your own land plot provides complete freedom of action regarding the choice of dimensions, device and installation site of the structure. Before you weld a rigid garden swing, it makes sense to examine the likelihood of using a suspended version. As a basis, you can take thick, horizontal tree branches. To prevent the branch from swaying, it is enough to put a support under it. It remains to fix the rope on the tree, pull the chain through it and install the seat. By varying the length of the suspension, you can make two attachment points to the bench, reliably stabilizing it in space.
Stationary swings are made of metal if light and capital construction, the laying of paths and underground communications are not planned at the installation site in the near and long term. The fixed frame is made in the shape of the letter "P". Vertical racks are buried in the ground below the freezing point and concreted. The result is a compact, at the same time very convenient and safe structure. It is necessary to choose a profile that is guaranteed not to bend from a large and prolonged load.
Swings from a profile pipe have become very popular. The material has four stiffening ribs, which makes it resistant to deformation even under heavy loads. The rectangular section facilitates precise joining of the trimmed parts.
Various methods are selected for fastening:
- Spring. Works as a mount and shock absorber. Fastening is made to the beam for welding, which provides sufficient reliability.
- Ring. It is fixed on the beam with an anchor, landing pad, less often by welding. A suspension is passed through the hole, and sometimes a carbine with a chain.
No less common and in demand are designs in the form of a suspended sofa. The structure is light, strong and stable at the same time. The latter property is provided by a rectangular frame connecting four inclined supports. The foundation is not required, for the installation of a sufficiently flat area of terrain with dense soil. Folding models are widely used, the transformation of which occurs due to the reclining of the back. After that, a small hanging bed is obtained.
An outdoor swing with supports involves the installation of a roof. As a rule, they are made in a collapsible version and used as needed.The connection is selected as articulated or bolted. Sometimes telescopic racks are chosen as supports, which are used in construction for the installation of floor slabs.
Where to install a metal swing
When choosing a place, you should use the following recommendations:
- a flat area on a hill where the structure will not fall and it will not be flooded with rainwater;
- convenient approach;
- the absence of obstacles about which a person can get hurt when rocking;
- a pleasant landscape for the gaze of vacationers;
Construction should not be carried out near household facilities, as well as a summer kitchen, shower or toilet.
How to make seats
Children's swings are made as safe as possible in terms of the impossibility of falling and materials of manufacture. A reduced size and configuration suitable for the anatomy of children is taken. It is advisable to initially make a double seat, even if there is one child in the family. In the future, a second may appear, and it is also necessary to take into account the guest factor in order to exclude a conflict situation. You can make a shell in the form of a boat, car, house, balloon.
For adults, the capacity can vary from 1-4 seats, but the double option is considered optimal. Combined or separate - decide according to the situation. An interesting solution is to use old car seats. By their design, they are perfectly adapted to the human anatomy. It remains only to restore the upholstery and make the mount.
Garden swing frame
The comfort of using the product, its safety and durability depends on the quality of the connection of the parts of the support system.
Fixing on bolts is good because it can be done by craftsmen who do not have a welding machine. The next plus is that at any time the structure can be disassembled for repair, storage or maintenance. Minus - the bolts gradually weaken, begin to creak, there is a backlash. If the nuts are not lubricated and tightened in time, the frame will fall apart or warp.
With welding, such problems are excluded. The connection is strong, reliable, and sealed. The monolithic structure carries itself. The difficulty lies in the fact that after welding, the metal cools quickly and can be driven. You can prevent such defects using the point method.
Decoration and care
There are many ways to decorate a garden swing. Supports can be painted to match a birch trunk, a crossbar for a branch, and chains can be made to match silver. Forged elements look great, hiding the unsightly look of pipes.
Caring for a swing is quite simple, but you can't forget about it. The structure must be regularly cleaned from rust, painted and lubricated. Check it periodically for defects. If they are found, take urgent measures to eliminate them.
If you coat the iron with automotive enamel, it won't rust for several years. The soft part should be made removable with covers so that you can wash them, and dry or replace the filler. It is advisable to consider an attachment for a mosquito net.
