DIY SWING (WITH PAPER TUBES)

In this instructable I will show you how you can create your own backyard swing using paper tubes as the main material. We came up with this idea as we have loads of paper tubes that are left over from our plotter rolls. As it is already widely known paper tubes are free (or cheap), significantly strong and made out of highly pressed paper that makes them suitable for many uses and constructions.

THE MATERIALS

The materials you will need are:

1. 5 paper tubes (600mm length, outer d=59mm, thickness t=5mm)

2. Mdf or other wood sheet no less than 6 mm thick (775x370x6mm or more)

3. Atlacoll

4. Electric tacker and a laser cutter

5. Clamps

6. Varnish

7. Copper tubes dext=15mm

8. Threaded rod

9. Metal nuts

10. Rope

First of all you need to design the side parts of the swing taking into regard the size of the tubes. For this one I chose to use 5 tubes in a row with a gap of 8mm between them. I order to reinforce the side parts I place three sheets in each side, two with holes to hold the tubes and one that works as a cap to protect the paper tubes. Then prepare the files for laser cutting. Cut the caps and one of the pieces that have holes first in order to check if the diameter of the holes suits the external diameter of the paper tubes. Once you are ok proceed to the next ones.

Gather all the materials that you will need and get started! Sand slightly the holes on the wooden parts and the edges of the paper tubes to make the fitting easier. Then start the assembly. Although it is not necessary I advise that you add atlacoll between the wooden sheets just to make sure that the will keep together for longer. Otherwise you can use an electric tacker to combine them. If you stick them together use clamps for extra pressure. Check the surfaces and fix any scratches or holes that may have occurred. As long as you are done with the assembly, spray with varnish the whole swing so that it will be waterproof. As an add on, I suggest that you combine the two sides with a, hidden in the middle paper tube, threaded rod with metal nuts. You can also place small copper tubes in the holes where the rope will pass through so that you protect both the wooden parts and the rope from wearing off.

So now you have your own backyard swing, that simple! You just need a strong rope and a good place to hang the swing from.

We chose to hang the swing in the public garden of our block of flats so that all our neighbors can use it.