Table of Contents
Introduction – Materials and Cutting List
The Porch SwingA type of bench seat suspended off the ground with chains or ropes enabling the bench seat to swing back and forth..
This seat has an adjustable seat-back which angles back to give varying degrees of comfort depending on whether or not you want to sit up straight or lie back a little.
As with other Buildeazy projects, it designed with the home handyman or DIYer in mind. All joins are secured with bolts and/or screws and nails. Because of this, the project only requires the most basic of tools to undertake a professional job.
A bit about the measurements
The measurements throughout this projects are given in both millimeters and inches.
The metricMillimeter measurements. (mmAbbreviation for millimeter which is a metric unit of length equal to one thousandth of a meter. 25.4 mm equals one inch.) measurements are given first, followed by the imperial(inch) measurements in brackets.
For example: 50mm (2″)
Note: The metric (mm) sizes given in this project do not convert exactly to their corresponding ft and inch equivalents.
This project gives the dimensionsAny of the three linear measurements, length, breadth and depth. in both metric (millimeters) and imperialStandard. Feet and inch measurements. (inches).
The abbreviation for millimeters is mm and the abbreviation for inches is “.
The metric (mm) measurements are given first, followed by the imperial (inch) measurements in brackets.
Example: 100mm x 50mm (2″ x 4″).
However, the metric (mm) sizes do not convert exactly to the equivalent imperial (inch) sizes because the measurements are rounded to their respective commonly called sizes.
Example: A piece of 2″ x 4″ woodTimber, lumber. The hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees in North America is the equivalent of a piece of 100mm x 50mm wood in Australasia.
2″ x 4″ is not exactly the same size as 100mm x 50mm.
In fact, if 2″ x 4″ was converted into millimeters exactly it would be 101.6mm x 50.8 mm, and nobody really wants to be calling those sorts of sizes..
Also note that in North America the narrower side of the wood is called first (2 x 4), where as in Australasia the wider side is called first (100 x 50).
When the same piece of wood is made smooth (surfacedSee Dressed., dressedSurfaced; planed; smooth; even surface; gauged., planed), there is an even bigger discrepancy. 1 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ in North America compared to 90mm x 45mm in Australasia.
A project built using metric measurements will be approximately 1.6% smaller than the same project built using imperial (ft and in) measurements.
In this project the imperial measurements are suited to North America. The metric measurements are more suited to Australasia.
There are two different types of lumberAny of the framing wood. used for this project. 90 x 35 (1-1/2″ x 3-1/2″) treatedPressure treated. Refers to lumber that is treated in such a way that the sealer is forced into the pores of the wood. Refers to lumber pressure sprayed with chemicals to lengthen its life expectancy for outside use or inground applications. pine for the frame and 90 x 20 (3/4″ x 3-1/2″) hardwood for the seat slats and back slats. Also a small amount of 145 x 20 (3/4″ x 5-3/4″) treated pine for the arm rest.
If the sizes vary in your area, just make allowances accordingly.
The 45 x 35 (1-1/2″ x 1-3/4″) pieces required are from 90 x 35 (1-1/2″ x 3-3/4″) stock ripped (sawnRough sawn; Not gauged, planed or dressed. down lengthwise) in half.
Any other smaller members that are required can also be cut from standard stock.
Hardware.
As well as the lumber in the list below, you will also need…
Two 3600mm (12ft) lengths of galvanizedCovered with a protective coating of zinc. chain
10 galvanized coachAre round headed bolts with square shoulders that resist rotation when located or driven into place. They can be called coach bolts or carriage bolts depending on which part of the world you live in. The head end of the bolt does not need a washer, but the other end of the bolt (the nut end) usually does. (carriage) bolts 10mm (3/8″) x 120mm (5″) long.
A handful of 100mm (4″) nails.
A few 75mm (3″) nails to hold the two end frame members together while drilling and bolting.
92 wood screws approx 35mm (1-1/2″) long for the seat slats, back slats and arm rests.
The cutting list
All dimensions are in both millimeters and (inches)
Hi Buildeazy,
Thank you for the free plans downloaded from your web site. This enabled me to construct the swing seat (photo attached) for my wife and 4 day old great grandson, to enjoy in the future. My wife at present is suffering from a serious illness and takes great enjoyment from the swing, that is when our Scottish weather allows. Thanks again.
Richard/ Isobel Saunders and great grandson Thomas More
Fantastic plans, thanks. We don’t have a porch to swing from so I made a pergola instead.
I decided to use rope instead of chains for aesthetic reasons and we are both pleased with the outcome. Rog’ and Alex (UK)
hi, I made this 1 from your plans and i think its brilliant. All made from tanalised wood. Had to be different sizes. 4×2, 2×2. 3×2. 4×1 and 6×1 but all worked out in the end. love this site.
Chyanne Barrasin Cornwall. United Kingdom
My husband and I built this swing in one afternoon.
The swing is built with treated lumber and we made it wider and deeper and arms are 3″ higher, we also used 6″ fence boards for the seat and back.
I used a dark walnut stain and then sealed it with a clear finish.
I love our swing, thank you so much for the great plan!
Here is a picture of our swing.
Later Janice Alberta, Canada.
Absolutely loved to build my own swing, the experience is great. I’ll definitely look for my next project here. I customized mine with a some brown dye and my routered signature. Looks great on the balcony.
Fabio Segura
Sacramento – Costa Rica
I built my swing out of Bois D Arc and Red Cedar. I modified some of the dimensions based on comments posted. Arm rests are higher and seat is wider and a little deeper…… Came out perfect……. watched the sunset tonight in it….
Edwin L.
I used the plans on your site for this porch swing but added length and depth to the seat. I should have added 3 inches height to the arm rest. Overall it turned out great and was fun to make.
Janet Scruggs
Hello Buildeazy,
This was actually the first time that I have actually made a work project. I had a rough start as I was getting used to what type of wood to pick out and how the final layout was going to turn out, but both my wife and I were very happy with the results.
The plans were easy to follow and I will continue to use your site for more new ideas. The new swing bench looks great in our front porch. Thanks.
Rafael Rivera
Hi there
Here is a couple of pics of realized projects from your great site,(I’m sure it wont be the last)!!! The swing-seat is a great shady place to relax and enjoy a nice and cool Bavarian Beer on a hot summer day.
Also a picture of our Greenhouse. It works really good.
Costs were around 160,- Euro.
Thanx Alex & Stefan
Walchsing, Bavaria.
Hi, I just finished the swing plan and are using it. I had already had a swing which I designed some twenty years ago and this one is very interesting in it’s look and design. Much nicer that mine was. My wife, who the swing was for has commented that she preferred my version of the swing for the following reasons. I had sides with higher supports which allowed her to turn on the swing with her back to the side. The other thing was that the chain connecting the swing back is in the way and interferes with the arm rest. So now she wants me to modify the design to remedy these items. The armrest could be 4 to 6 inches higher to make it more comfortable when sitting. The chain in the back is not a problem, I will simply attach it to the back support.
Other than these two minor items, I think it is a great design and easy to build.
Thanks
Spanishtrain
I just finished building this swing as a surprise birthday present for my fiance. I want to complement the Les Kenny for having made terrific plans to follow. This was my first wood shop project and it turned out great. I searched many sites for plans for a swing and this was by far the best.
Thanks again, CJ
Thank you for the plans, the project went very smooth. I chose to go on the cheap and I used what wood I had around, namely, spruce 2×10’s and 1 x 4’s. The kids painted it with Tremclad White. Looks great.
Gord B. Princeton BC Canada
From Fernando Oliveira
Made this porch swing using free plan from BUILDEAZY.
Turned out great. Sincere thanks for the plans you provide.
Brett N – Shawnee, OK, USA.
Really nice design frame on this swing. I varied somewhat but still managed to get a nice looking swing out of it.Thanks
Samuel Dodd
All,
I was so pleased with the design I wanted to share a few comments and picture.
I followed other’s suggestions for extending the arm’s 3 inches and that works out nicely.
Also, I used 5/4 womanized decking boards and ripped them for the 2 x 4 framing.
This gave it a less beefy look and feel. Plus, I used cheap ceiling stripping wood for the seat and back planks.
Usually you can pick thru those and find some decent ones.
All my materials were $51, including the chains.
I’m enjoying the new swing so much that I’m contemplating build another, wider one.
Curious to know if anyone has tried a 6 foot version. I assume this should work with a few extra cross supports in the seat frame. Do I need to find a way to reinforce the back as well?