Think I could use nails instead of screws on a kids playset?

[quicksandfarmer]

I built my house with nails.

I would use nails except where you think soundness is more important. Nails will always outlast screws when vibration comes into play. Most of the rugged joints will be bolts anyway.

Just keep an eye on any that may come loose over the two months the kids will play with that nice swing set.

Spoken like someone who's been through parenthood!

 

[newbury]

I built a similar but "homegrown" playset (primarily a heavy duty swing set and the "fort" 5' off the ground w/ slide and ladder) in about in 1987. All with screws put in with a drill and screwdriver bit. Our 4 children loved it and used it heavily until their late teens, which ended up being until about 1995. After it set for about 3 years with no grandchildren I unscrewed the swingset and repurposed the wood. It was a royal pain to mow around the legs. The fort still stands, I've been using it as a "cover" for firewood since 1995.

If I was to do it again I'd use an impact driver versus a drill,

If you use nails use ring-shank. They never pull out.

 

[mmancuso13]

You can use nails but I would get a set of ring shanks to keep them from pulling out

 

[Snobdds]

Nails hold shear loads the best. Screws hold in compression the best. There are exceptions, like​ structrial screws and ring Shank nails. With that said, I buy torque 20 and 25 by the box, 1000 count. I would also rather use a nail gun over a Phillips bit screw any day.

 

[lexluther]

Seems like ring shank nails would do it...thos hold like a mother...

 

[ning]

I had something like that. Other than a few boards around the fort at the top, it was all held together with lag bolts or nuts & bolts.

You'd be surprised at how much those things flex in use - it was almost frightening, and I proceeded to bolt the thing to the ground! I think that nails would flex out and it would fall apart.

Screw it! - where you have to. BOLT it better.

 

[2ndhalf]

I would say use both. Shoot a screw and couple nails and perhaps even woodglue. When/if you do sell it just haul it to the new owner and don't disassemble.

 

[BigBoyToys]

i built a large jungle gym/ swing set over 25 years ago and it was up for around 18 years. It built with PT lumber which was screwed and bolted together. The most important thing I did was to router all the lumber with a 1/4" round over bit. This included top surface boards and cut ends. Took a little time but kept the "splinter" issue at bay.

 

[square1]

Nails hold shear loads the best. Screws hold in compression the best.

This. The correct "tool" for the job. Using screws under shear loads can result in catastrophic failure without warning. Using nails in compression joints will usually give some warning before total failure occurs IF someone is paying attention.

 

[Egon]

Nails should have a better strength rating than the average screw. Most screws cannot be used in house construction. Just those that are approved officially.

That said I'd consider using the proper rated screws.

Strong-Drive(R) Structural Fasteners Series | Simpson Strong-Tie