Swing-N-Slide Alpine Swing Set Hardware Only Kit (Wood and Slide not included)

This is long but I think helpful... I spent a lot of time researching swingsets and options, I liked this option cause it was so much less then similar ones built like this with strong good lumber. I decided to build the project 513 cause I liked the roof and double play deck. I have three kids 9,5,3 and felt this was good for all of them and will grow with them.... the play decks are at 4 feet and 5 feet off ground and once you put the roof on this thing is tall! First I got all my lumber from the home depot and spent around 500 on lumber, screws, some new drill bits and an extra battery for drill (you want that trust me), carpenter square and a new saw blade. It's a lot of lumber not having a truck it took 3 trips with a Honda Pilot. I think just getting it took me a day. If I ever did another one I'd considered having it delivered however I did like picking all my lumber, I used all pressure treated #2 rated for ground contact wood. The kit doesn't include a slide we got one for nothing that works great as someone was getting rid of it so that saved money and we used swings from old set since the kit only includes two. The cut list and directions are great and easy to follow, it took me a day to cut all lumber and was great to do it like that then when the build started I just grabbed my cuts (I labeled the pieces with chalk with the measurements). The build... well anyone that can get this done in the 5-10 hours listed I wanna meet you. I worked 95 percent alone, the wife helped with the swing beam instal and the occasional help of a 9'year old holding a few things. Part of the build went quick, now I don't have a lot of experience but I'm pretty handy guy and was able to figure it out as long as the initial frame is square you'll be fine. The roof construction was hard to install the way it says so I found it easier to do the whole thing up there rather than the way it says in the book. This thing is strong! I am 260lbs and I had zero issues climbing on this thing. I jumped on it swung from it and everything else in between, I really wanted to test it's strength. I'm very happy with the set and kit, the rapid lock system makes the framing very easy and provides great strength and support structure. All kids swinging and the play decks don't move much at all! All in all this took me 5-6 days probably working on it a minimum of 4-6 hours if not more each of those days. If you have the time and are good with a tape measure I say go for it. Tips: you need a circular saw however a 7 inch (probably what most have) doesn't go clean thru a 4x4 my neighbor had a 10inch one and it was my saving grace. Chop saw is useful and helps making straight cuts and speed things up alittle but you don't need it and could do all cutting with a circular saw. Pre drilling holes helps prevent wood splitting and is worth the time especially when working alone as the screw just goes in faster. I also used a counter sink drill bit most of the time so kids don't scrap themselves on a screw as the counter sink allows the screw to sit nicely in the wood. Your carpenter square and tape measure are your best friend. Two drills and extra batteries are useful and help speed things up. I had one drill with drillbit for drilling holes and one with driver for the screw so I didn't have to keep changing bits. I also always had one battery always charging so when one went dead I had a fresh one ready to go. Two people would be useful and probably get it done faster but that just wasn't an option for me.

This kit was great. Made assembly quicker and sturdy. The instructions tell you what wood to buy and how to cut it up to get the best usage from it. My son and i who is 6”5’ 220 pounds both sat on and used the swings. (At the same time) My grandson is going to love it. Buying another one for my other grandson. slide is on the way