A new playset for the kids

[BD55]

Got 2 rails up. 6 to go… I’m putting them up now since we’re painting everything (except the deck material) in one go but it’s a pain to install them off a ladder. Thinking I may just set some 2x material up there to make a work platform to do the rest of the rails.

 

[mike93lx]

You going to tent it for paint or just send it?

 

[BD55]

It won't be tented per se but we're going to tarp basically everything around like the fences and plants nearby. I'm not too worried about the grass, but it probably would be smart to do that too so we don't kick up dust/seeds into the fresh paint.

 

[BD55]

Along the way, I noticed in the design that there was potential to step off the top platform onto the railing on the middle platform so I added a small secondary railing to bridge that area.

 

[BD55]

I need some last minute input before painting - thinking of draining and venting, what's the protocol for horizontal tubing and railing? I was thinking of drilling small drain holes on both ends of each horizontal member. Should I need to worry about the railing stiles? Each upright has a hole in the mounting plate and I have stainless washers as standoffs so there's a small gap under each one.

 

[mike93lx]

My understanding is either perfectly seal it, or intentionally vent it.

If it stays sealed, it will never rust out, but if you can't be certain of that, I'd just pop in some small vent holes

 

[strutaeng]

I need some last minute input before painting - thinking of draining and venting, what's the protocol for horizontal tubing and railing? I was thinking of drilling small drain holes on both ends of each horizontal member. Should I need to worry about the railing stiles? Each upright has a hole in the mounting plate and I have stainless washers as standoffs so there's a small gap under each one.

Nice project.

A small hole on the horizontal will be fine to drain any condensation. I've never seen that on the verticals. Technically, if it's sealed it won't rust because the oxygen inside will get consumed quickly. I honestly wouldn't even bother with drain holes. Just weld it all up.

 

[Improved700]

Very cool project.
I may have missed it as I was skimming some of the comments.
What's your background? Fabrication? Engineering?
What CAD program are you using?

Next level DIY for sure.

Looking forward to seeing the kids christen in soon!

 

[BD55]

Very cool project.
I may have missed it as I was skimming some of the comments.
What's your background? Fabrication? Engineering?
What CAD program are you using?

Next level DIY for sure.

Looking forward to seeing the kids christen in soon!

Thanks! Background is engineering, but I really enjoy fabrication and TIG welding. I’ve been using OnShape for CAD. Been trying to get it painted this weekend but the weather hasn’t been cooperating, unfortunately. Hoping Monday we’ll have some good weather to get it sprayed.

 

[TriumphFan]

What a great project.
When we moved to our present house, one of the first things I did was build a giant, two-story swing set/fort near the creek. It was in a flood plain ( ) so I sank the 4x6's 2 1/2' feet deep with 100 lbs. of concrete ea. The cross beam for the swings is 12' high and is three 2x10s nailed and glued together. It's still up and has survived I-don't-know-how-many floods 22 years later.
I hope you don't have any issues with the neighbors or the HOA.