Crib Mattress Porch Swing

  

I happened to have an extra crib mattress laying around...  one thing led to another... 

 

    The crib mattress that was collecting dust in the garage ultimately gave my front room the "wow factor". Do you by chance have an extra crib mattress laying around ? Well my friend,  you are in luck,  you can make your very own porch swing.

Shopping List:

8 = 1x4's

3=  1x2's

3=  2x3's

Plywood

Brad Nails

3" wood screws

1 1/4" Screws 

4=  6"  eyelet bolt w/ bolts and washers

Rope (length varies, depending on suspended height and ceiling height,  mine was approx 35-40')

4= swing hardware hooks 

Crib Mattress

Suggested Materials/Tools:

Sander 

Miter Saw

Table Saw ( For plywood,  you can ask this to be cut at your home improvement store.) 

 Drill 

 1/2" drill bit

 Nail gun ( You can complete this by hand or with a drill if needed)

 Air Compressor if applicable. 

 Brad Nails

 3" Wood Screws

1 1/4" Wood Screws  ( Not necessary if using a nail gun.)

Cut List:

 1x4's

5@  52"

6@  27 

2@  26.5 

8@  22"

1x2's

1@ 56"     (45 degree angles, long point to long point)

2@ 29.5"  (45 degree angles, long point to long point) 

2 @ 4"      (45 degree angle ,  long point to straight end)

2@ 21"

1@ 46"

2x3's

2@ 47.5"

2@ 26.5"

2@ 23.5"

Plywood

1 @  26.5" x  50.5"

 Begin by prepping your wood,  and making all your cuts.  ( If you are a beginner,  I might suggest making your cuts as you go, making sure all pieces fit correctly.)  

Second,  sand and stain/paint all your 1x2's and 1x4's.  While they are drying you can construct your   base out of 2x3's. (Your base will not be visible.)

Use 3" screws when constructing the base. 

Next, screw and or nail 2 of the 52" and 26.5"  1x4's around the perimeter of the base. 

 Using a square or a level fasten  your 1x4's cut @ 22" at each corner so that they are vertical.

At this point you can fasten the  remaining  52" slats and the 27 1/4" horizontal slats.  The top slat will be flush with the top of the 22" vertical supports. 

Next install the top finishing pieces,  which consists of the 1x2's cut at  56" (long point to long point) , 2@ 29.5" (long point to long point),and 2 @ 4" ( long point to straight cut ).

  After the top rail is in place,  take the remaining 1x2's and install directly below the top rail. (See pictures below.)  Install the 21" pieces on the sides and the last 46"  along the back.

 Before placing the plywood in the base, we need to drill holes for the eyelet hooks.

 The placement of your eyelet bolt  holes will vary depending on where you are hanging it.  Mine are placed just inside the corners of my base. (You will be drilling through the 1x4" and the 2x3")

Once the hole is drilled insert and secure the eyelet bolt  with a locking washer, and bolt.

 I put a large washer on the outside of my swing as well, mainly because I like the look of exposed hardware.

Ok, I am not going to sugar coat it,  building the swing wasn't too hard, it was installing the thing that is a pain in the ! You will NEED to mount  your swing hardware into ceiling joists.  I spent a good hour trying to configure measurements that would work. Just bear in mind, the closer set the ceiling hooks, the more momentum  the swing can get... Just log that one away.  

(Swing hardware)

  You can use chain if you would like to suspend your swing,  I chose to use rope,  if using chain simply count out the links  before hanging. If you chose rope here is my suggestion.   Decide  how far off the ground you would like your swing to sit. Find a sturdy  item that is the same height and  rest your swing on it  while you attach the ropes.  This will make life easier, and you are assured  it will be level. Originally I  had tried to measure my rope in advance,  but it turned out to be trickier than I had anticipated.

 Now that everything is installed, you can  make it pretty!  I actually designed this swing  to accommodate a crib size mattress, BECAUSE they are considerably cheaper than buying foam to make a cushion.  Another bonus for all my sewing illiterate friends,  you can slap a crib sheet on it and call it good!

  Add some throw pillows and you are done! Now sit down,  open a nice cold Diet Coke  and relax in your new swing!