Re: Children\'s Outdoor Playset
I built a swingset this past Christmas... I looked at numerous places, but some of the large toy chain stores had 600 dollar swingsets that looked like they would barely support a 6 year old. I decided on a kit that used 4x4's and 2x6's in their construction. The instructions stated 12-16 hours to complete. Well, it took me 5 days with 2 people. I don't know why it took so long, but I know I could probably complete it within 12-16 hours after building one. I purchased it from Lowe's as a kit ($1,000), and the most expensive part was the turbo slide. I used pressure treated lumber, and then water sealed it with Thompson's water seal. This helps the lumber from turning gray too quickly in the hot Florida sun. The constructions standards of this unit are exactly the level that MarkV recommended... Carriage bolts recessed with 1 1/8" holes, etc... I did router all the edges after construction, and followed with sanding any areas that had splinters or were rough to the touch. I highly recommend a compound miter saw.
After completing this project, many of my friends think that the tower section of the playset could double as a deer stand.
Good luck,
Joe