CANOPY FOR A SWING.
[Illustration: Fig. 101.--General View of Rustic Canopy for Swing.]
Fig. 101 is a general view of the canopy and swing, and Fig. 102 a side
elevation slightly more elaborate in design than Fig. 101, the chief
members, however, being exactly the same. The material used is stripped
fir saplings. Six of these are required for the uprights.
[Illustration: Fig. 102.--Side Elevation of Canopy for Swing
(Alternative Design).]
The middle posts are slightly larger in section, as they have to carry
the cross rail supporting the swing; a good size for these is 6-in.
diameter at the base by 10 ft. or 12 ft. high. The outer posts may be
4-3/4-in. to 5-in. diameter at the base. The posts are sub-tenoned (see
Fig. 103) to elm sills 10 ft. 6 in. long by 8 in. diameter. Tenons are
formed on both ends of the posts, and seatings and mortices at 4-ft.
centres are made in both the sills (bottom rails) and plates (top rails)
to receive them.
[Illustration: Fig. 103.--Fixing Middle Post of Canopy to Sill.]
[Illustration: Fig. 104.--Details of Joints of Rails, Struts, and Posts
for Canopy.]
[Illustration: Fig. 105.--Securing Cross Rails to Plates and Posts of
Canopy.]
The short rails are 4 in. in diameter by 3 ft. 6 in. long, and are
stub-tenoned and pinned to the posts at a height of 3 ft. 9 in. from the
ground line. The struts also are tenoned and pinned to the middle posts
and sills, as shown in Fig. 104, where, it will be noticed, the struts
are in one piece and the braces in two, the latter being hollowed to fit
in the angles and over the struts.
[Illustration: Figs. 106 and 107.--Hook and Thimble for Canopy.]
When all the members are ready for the final drive home, the tenons of
the rails should be just entered to the posts; the struts and braces are
next placed in position and driven up, then the sill and plate are
entered and driven home, and finally the several joints are secured with
oak pins. This operation will be carried out better with the work in a
horizontal position. When the two sides are so far completed, they may
be erected in position and fixed with temporary battens, at a distance
apart of 7 ft. 9 in. centres, while the top cross rails are being
fitted.
[Illustration: Fig. 108.--Front View of Fenced Seat for Canopy.]
[Illustration: Fig. 109.--End View of Fenced Seat for Canopy.]
[Illustration: Fig. 110.--Fixing Rope to Eyelet.]
The middle cross rail which carries the swing is 6 in. in diameter and 8
ft. 6 in. long. A seating is formed on the plates, and a shallow one
upon the rails, which are secured with long 3/4-in. diameter bolts and
nuts; the latter are let into the posts at a distance of 8 in. from the
top, as shown in Fig. 105, which is a cross section through the plate
near the middle rail. Short struts may also be fixed between the posts
and cross rail, as in Fig. 105; they are not shown in Fig. 101. A floor
is formed of saplings, connected to the sills, thus preventing them from
spreading. The trellis-work, both on the roof and sides, is now fixed.
This is composed of 1-3/4-in. and 2-in. twigs.
The swing hooks (Fig. 106) pass right through the rails, and are secured
with nuts and washers. Collars should be forged on the shanks to prevent
the hooks being drawn too far into the wood when screwing up the nuts.
The shank is screwed 3/4-in. Whitworth pitch thread, and the hook is
1-1/4 in. in diameter at the thickest part. The hemp rope is spliced
around galvanised iron thimbles (see Fig. 107), which take the wear on
the hooks. The rope is usually secured to the seat by simply knotting
the ends.
Should the swing be used for very young children, a seat provided with a
fence will be necessary, as shown at Figs. 108 and 109, which are front
and end views respectively. The back rail and the two side rails are
fixed to the seat with the balusters; but the front rail is tenoned to
open-ended mortices in the side rails, and thus made to hinge, to
facilitate the lifting of the children on and off the seat, the rail
being secured in its closed position with a brass pin and retaining
chain. The suspending rope in this case is passed through the end rails
and knotted to the seat. Fig. 110 shows the rope passed around and
whipped to an eyelet.