The porch swing shown in the illustration can be made of southern pine
at a very moderate cost. It should be suspended by rustless black chains
and eyebolts passing through the lower rails. If cushions are desired
they can be made up quite cheaply of elastic felt covered with denim
cloth.
These pieces, dressed and sanded, may be bought at the mill:
2 rails, 1-3/4 by 3 by 71 in., S-4-S.
1 rail, 1-3/4 by 3 by 65 in., S-4-S.
2 posts, 1-3/4 by 3 by 25 in., S-4-S.
2 posts, 1-3/4 by 3 by 17 in., S-4-S.
2 rails, 1-3/4 by 3 by 22-1/2 in., S-2-S.
2 arm rests, 7/8 by 4 by 28 in., S-2-S.
5 slats, 3/8 by 5 by 16 in., S-2-S.
8 ft. flooring for bottom.
2 cleats, 7/8 by 1-1/2 by 57 in., S-4-S.
Plane and square the ends of all the rails and posts. Lay out the lap
joints for the back rails and posts. Use a knife line for this and saw
exactly to the line to avoid trimming with the chisel. When sawing be
careful to cut exactly halfway through the thickness of each piece. In
the same way make the lap joints between the front rail and posts. Have
the two end rails exactly the same length and proceed to fasten the
front and back posts to them, using 4-in. lag screws and washers. Bore
through the posts and part way into the ends of the end rails for the
lag screws.
[Illustration: Detail of the Porch Swing]
The slats are mortised 1/2 in. into the back rails, or a 3/8-in. groove
may be planed in these rails, the entire distance between joints, to
receive the slats. A rabbeting plane will be needed for this. The arm
rests lap over the back posts and are held to them with 2-in.
round-head screws. They may be fastened to the top of the front posts
with round-head screws or dowel pins.
Ordinary pine flooring makes a good, tight seat, or 7/8-in. board may be
used if desired. Fasten the cleats, which support the seat, to the front
and back lower rails with 1-1/2-in. screws.
To bring out the beautiful grain of southern pine, stain it brown or
black and finish with two coats of waterproof varnish.