Introduction: Porch Swing for the St Jude Dream Home Giveaway

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So , as a father of 4 beautiful daughters, i could NEVER imagine getting the news that my children were ill, especially with something as serious as Cancer. So when i saw the local home developer, who does our local, annual St. Jude Dream home Giveaway, i reached out and asked if i could donate a piece for this AMAZING cause. They said that they wanted a porch swing, so a swing is what i made. I chose to go with this design (chippendale pattern) and got to work building the swing!

With this design, i chose to keep the materials needed low, I used 3, 8 foot boards of 1.5" material, 1, 8ft board of 2" thick material and 4, 8ft boards of .75 thick material.

Supplies

Your choice of wood, in my area ( Southeastern USA) those choices are basically Cedar or Cypress. Red wood is also a good option if it is available

Step 1: Rough Cut and Mill Your Boards Slightly Oversized

Cut your boards to where they have additional width and length for what is needed to make all the parts of the swing. Mill the boards to have all faces square and flat.

Step 2: Create Templates for Repeated Parts

For the bottom seat supports, the back supports, and the armrest, create templates so that each of these parts will be identical throughout the build. This will prevent errors with inconsistent parts throughout the swing, that would make it uncomfortable to sit in.

Step 3: Use the Templates to Create the Repeated Parts in the Swing

After you are happy with the shape and size of your templates, transfer the outline of the template to the actual stock. Rough cut the stock, just beyond the outline to be cleaned up later with a flush trim bit in a router. This process allows you to create exact copies of parts that should be identical in any build. You could also achieve this by using a CNC machine, but i use this cheaper, more accessible method often with great success.

Step 4: Layout and Cut the Joinery

For the swing, i chose to use mortise and tenon joints for a strong, secure connection. Be mindful of how and where the boards that will be joined intersect.

Step 5: Dry Fit All the Joints to Ensure Everything Fits Properly

Test fit and finesse each joint until they fit together nicely and the joints allow the parts to intersect at the appropriate angle. I check frequently for square joints as they affect the final outcome of the build.

Step 6: Begin Layout for Backrest Pieces

With the frame still dry fit together, begin the layout of the backrest parts by getting the length of all the main vertical parts first. I always prefer to hold the part in place and strike a line with a fine pencil to attain the cut line, rather than using measurements , because i find it to be more accurate and yield better results. After you have marked the lines, use an angle finding gauge to know what angle to set the saw to in order to make the cuts at the ends of the parts as well as for the half lap to join the "X" brace in the middle of both seat back supports. I used dowels to join all the vertical supports to the frame as well as to join the main "X" brace to the adjoining vertical supports.

Step 7: Assemble All Parts in Backrest

After you have found, and cut all the angles for each part (make sure to mark your parts) assemble the smaller pieces into the frame after the "X" braces and the rest of the main frame for the back are glued into place. For the smaller parts i used wood glue and super glue to hold each part in place and pin them in place with a brad nail.

Step 8: Prepare the Armrest Support to Be Shaped

So i chose to meld the armrest supports into the armrest by shaping them with a grinder and a random orbital sander. First mark the lines on the armrest support to give yourself boundaries that you do not want to grind beyond. Remove the bulk of the material with the grinder using a sanding disc, then fine tune the shape with a handheld sander. Check your work periodically by placing the mortise of the armrest into the tenon on top of the armrest support to see how well they fit together. when you near the end of this process, keep the armrest in place and sand until you are sure you have achieved a proper fit.

Step 9: Glue the Remaining Frame Parts Together to Secure Them Permanently

Now you can glue the other pieces of the frame together by fitting each tenon into its corresponding mortise. Add Glue to the joints for a secure connection and make sure to coat each joint evenly. Clamp the frame together and allow the glue to cure.

Step 10: Cut and Install Seat Slats

Cut all the seat slats to their final width and length, then I like to add a chamfer to all the edges in order to prevent pinching on the legs when sitting in the swing. Secure them to the frame by adding glue and pinning with a brad nailer to secure the slats while the glue cures.

Step 11: Sand and Prepare to Apply Finish

Sand the entire swing to the grit you choose. For me, i typically go to 120 grit for a project like this that will be painted. For this finish, i used a diluted chalk paint for this antique looking white finish. Since i wanted to see the grain through the paint, i wiped the paint mixture immediately after applying until i got to a look I liked. After the paint is dry, place and install the eye bolts to hang the swing.

Step 12: Hang Your Swing

Install the hanging hardware, for this swing, i opted to add springs to the top of the chains to add a bit of cushion and decrease stress on the chain when sitting in the swing. I typically connect the two front contact points and check for level, then lift the rear of the swing and get a good visual of the height and adjust up or down if needed. Once the front contacts are secure, cut the length of chain and use the remaining chain to connect the two back contact points and tie them into the long chains with "S" hooks. Have a seat and Enjoy your New Swing!!!

Step 13: Go Watch the Video!!!!

If this project interests you, check out the full build video, and if you would like a more detailed version of this project, I have plans available on my website here: https://dimensionswoodworks.com/product/porch-swin...

If you want to see some of my other plans, they are available on my shop here: https://dimensionswoodworks.com/shop/

Check out Elliot Homes here: https://myelliotthome.com/

Check out Jubilee Specialty Wood Products here: http://jubileeswp.com/

Follow me on Instagram for daily shots of what i am working on here: https://www.instagram.com/dimensions_woodworks/

I'm so excited that I got to be a small part of this project for such an AMAZING CAUSE! BIG SHOUT OUTS TO : Elliot Homes for building, promoting and raising $800,000 for St Jude Childrens Research Hospital! Another big thank you to Jubilee Specialty Wood Products for donating the lumber at cost for me to build the swing. I hope to be a part of this annual charity next year and hope to get to build another unique project to help raise funds to treat and do research for childhood cancer.