Got a nice wooden swing set kit delivered today. I've built some IKEA stuff before but nothing like this. Anyone have experience assembling these things? I've got Saturday and Sunday to knock it out. Should I rent some equipment or just go with my regular tools? Want to make sure it's actually safe for my kids.
Pro tip: lay all the pieces out first and organize by size before you start bolting anything. Makes the whole thing way less confusing when you're halfway through and wondering what comes next.
IKEA is good prep but these swing sets are a different beast - take your time with the bolts and don't skip the level checks. I learned that the hard way with my first one and had a leaning situation that drove me crazy.
The instructions are usually pretty clear on those kits, but the real time sink is making sure every connection is tight and secure. My advice is grab a torque wrench if the manual specifies torque values and use it. Swing sets take a lot of force and you don't want something coming loose mid-swing.
A wooden swing set is a different beast from IKEA furniture. Take your time with the assembly and double-check all the safety hardware as you go. Those bolts and connections hold your kids so you want them right. I'd also recommend doing a test swing with your weight before letting the kids on it.
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Nice! Got my kids one of those about two years ago. Main tip: do the work in one day if you can, don't break it up. Also, make absolutely sure your ground is level before you start. I didn't pay attention to that and had to dig out and re-level halfway through. And get some help if possible, seriously.