Porch Swing
Take it easy in this simple seat.
Instructions:
General: Cut and label the parts as needed, using the Cut List and Cutting Diagram as guides and adjusting for fit.
1 Build the seat frame.
Note: The parts in this step are ripped from a 1 x 6.
a. Position the (01) frame back between the two (02) seat ends 2 1/2 inches from the ends, as shown in Figure 1. Attach using glue and 1 5/8-inch screws.
b. Position the (03) slat supports as shown in Figure 1, and attach to the (01) frame back with glue and 1 5/8-inch screws.
c. Position the (04) seat front as shown in Figure 1, and attach to the assembly with glue and 1 5/8-inch screws.
2 Add the seat slats.
Note: The parts in this step are ripped from 1/2 x 6s and a 1/2 x 3.
a. Use a router fitted with a 1/8-inch roundover bit to round over the top long edges of each (05) seat slat.
b. Attach the (05) seat slats to the seat frame with glue and 5/8-inch brads (see Figure 5).
3 Attach the arm supports and arms.
Note: The parts in this step are ripped from a 1 x 6.
a. Position the (06) arm supports flush with the ends of the (04) seat front as shown in Figure 3, and attach with glue and pocket hole screws.
b. Using lath screws, attach a tie plate between each (06) arm support and the (04) seat front on the face of the joint facing the back of the swing.
c. Lay out and cut the (07) arms as shown in Figure 3.
d. Position the (07) arms overhanging the fronts of the (06) arm supports 1/2 inch and flush with the inside edges of the (06) arm supports. Attach with glue and pocket hole screws.
4 Build the back assembly.
Note: The parts in this step are ripped from a 1 x 6 and 1/4 x 6s.
a. Lay out and cut the (08) back supports as shown in Figure 4.
b. Use a router fitted with a 1/8-inch roundover bit to round over the top long edges of each (09) back slat.
c. Use a table saw fitted with a 1/4-inch dado blade to cut a 1/2-inch-deep groove centered on one long edge of each (10) back rail.
d. Scribe a centerline on the faces of the (10) back rails.
e. Position the lower (10) back rail in the 2-inch notches of the (08) back supports as shown in Figure 5. The (10) back rail should overhang the (08) back supports by 1 1/2 inches on each side.
f. Starting on either side of the lower (10) back rails’ centerline, insert the remaining (09) back slats in the groove of the lower (10) back rail, spacing them 7/8 inch apart. Attach with 5/8-inch brads.
g. Place the upper (10) back rail on top of the (09) back slats, fitting the (09) back slats into the groove. The (10) back rail should overhang the (08) back supports 1 1/2 inch on each side.
h. Adjust the (09) back slats to maintain the 7/8-inch spacing, and attach the upper (10) back rail to the (08) back supports with glue and 1 5/8-inch screws. Attach the (09) back slats to the (10) back rail using 5/8-inch brads.
5 Connect the back and seat assemblies.
a. Position the back assembly against the back of the seat assembly, and attach the (02) seat ends to the (08) back support with 5/16- x 2-inch carriage bolts, 5/16-inch washers, and 5/16-inch hex nuts.
b. Cut two lengths of chain for the desired height of the swing.
c. Position the (08) back supports so that they line up with the (07) arms, and predrill for a 5/16-inch hex-head bolt to go through the (08) back supports and into the narrow part of each (07) arm.
d. Insert a 5/16- x 3-inch hex-head bolt through one end link of chain, and use this bolt to attach an (07) arm to the back assembly with hex nuts and washers. Repeat this step for the other (07) arm.
6 Add the hardware for hanging the swing.
a. In the porch ceiling, measure, mark, predrill, and attach two lag eye bolts to hang the swing. Be sure to position the bolts so that they are attached to the joists.
b. Predrill and attach a lag eye bolt through the top of each (07) arm and into each (06) arm support.
7 Hang the swing, and apply finishing touches.
a. Hang the ends of the longer chains on the lag eye bolts in the ceiling, adjusting the links as necessary.
b. Cut two more lengths of chain to go from the front lag eye bolt in each (07) arm to an S-hook connected farther up the longer chain. Attach the shorter chains and two S-hooks.
c. Fill all holes, sand, prime and paint.
Cut List
# |
PART NAME |
QTY. |
MATERIAL |
SIZE (in inches) |
| 01 |
frame back |
1 |
1 x 6 |
3/4 x 2 x 41 |
| 02 |
seat ends |
2 |
1 x 6 |
3/4 x 2 x 17 1/4 |
| 03 |
slat supports |
2 |
1 x 6 |
3/4 x 2 x 14 |
| 04 |
seat front |
1 |
1 x 6 |
3/4 x 2 x 48 |
| 05 |
seat slats |
7 |
1/2 x 6, 1/2 x 3 |
1/2 x 1 3/4 x 42 1/2 |
| 06 |
arm supports |
2 |
1 x 6 |
3/4 x 2 x 7 |
| 07 |
arms |
2 |
1 x 6 |
3/4 x 2 x 20 1/2 |
| 08 |
back supports |
2 |
1 x 6 |
3/4 x 1 3/4 x 17 1/4 |
| 09 |
back slats |
16 |
1/4 x 6 |
1/4 x 1 3/4 x 12 1/2 |
| 10 |
back rails |
2 |
1 x 6 |
3/4 x 2 x 47 |
Finished Dimensions:
Height: 17 3/4 inches
Depth: 22 inches
Width: 48 inches