Portable Swing in a Ball

I had to make this instructable for a school project. The task was to make a swing that is light (max. 5kg), original and easy to carry around.

We had to make sure that everything was stored away in our swing. I really wanted to use a ball instead of a normal plank. It wasn't very easy because a ball isn't a very handy form to make things of. But I managed to make a swing of it that works, that is light (2,2 kg) and easy to transport.

Feel free to visit my blog: http://olivierkennethswing.blogspot.be/

So enjoy this instructable and your swing!

First of all I made a drawing to have an idea how my swing would look like.

The way of sitting on the swing isn't really comfortable this way, so I changed my idea of opening the ball.(picture 2, 3 and 4)

So what do you need?

Materials:

• An old basketball size 7
• A wooden plank +- 12mm thick, dimensions: make sure its big enough to fit the two halfs of the ball
• A 20m rope ( maximum thickness 12mm)
• Both velcro sides ( male velcro +- 20cm, female velcro +-2m)
• 2 piano hinges
• 1 square hinge
• A wooden plank +-15 mm thick, dimensions: +- 30cm * 30cm
• A pressured staples machine
• Silicone
• 6 bolts for the square hinge
• 12 screws for the piano hinges
• 6 bolt holders you can screw into the wood
• A box cutter

Now you have everything to begin the instructable.

Use your box cutter to cut the basketball in half. Make sure that the edges of the ball are completely flat.

Place one half of the ball onto the wooden plank (thickness +-12mm) and draw the outline.

Than use an automatic cutting machine to cut out the cirkels.

Place the cirkel into the ball to make sure it fits perfectly on the edge of the ball.

This plank will be used to sit on.

Use a wood file to round of the wood. This makes it easier to fit into the ball.

Use the other plank (+-15mm) to cut out a reinforcement rib. Make sure this plank is placed on the right spot like you see in the picture.

The curved side of this plank has to touch the inside of the ball.

Also use a wood file to round of the wood.

Use 2 screws to connect the reinforcement rib to the plank, then turn them loose again.

Cut of a piece of the plank (+- 9cm from the center of the plank).

Then make a hole in each center of the planks ( depending of the thickness of the rope you are using).

Also make a hole in each center of the reinforcement rib.

Mill the wood on the places where you have to put the piano hinge and the square hinge.

You can also enlighten your swing by milling them a little deeper at the center.

Screw in the bolt holders on the places where the square hinge has to come.

I use bolts because they are stronger than just screws.

Just use some screws to fasten the hinges to your plank.

Use your box cutter to make a hole in the ball. Make sure it's in the right place and at the center of the hole you made in your reinforcement rib.

Use your staples machine to connect the 2 planks to the ball.

Connect the square hinge with the bolts.

Pull the rope through the ball. Make sure its not to long to fit into the ball.

Use some straps and place them around the rope against the reinforcement rib, that way you can't pull out the rope when you are carrying the ball.

I used some female velcro strips and putted them onto te hinges. That way its a little bit safer and its harder to slip of the plank when you are swinging.

To close the ball I just used some velcro strips on the outside of the ball.

For this I've just made a knot in the rope so the swing is at a good hight for me. Then I throwed the rope over a branch and made another knot under the previous knot. That way the swing can't slide down.

You can also use the system on the second and third picture.

Congratulations, you've made your own swing in a ball!

Have fun!

Also you can visit my blog where you can find my progress, a videoclip and brainstorming:

http://olivierkennethswing.blogspot.be/