" 'No one came near
us for some time, and as we could hear the
sound of voices, we guessed that a great
council was taking place, and we agreed at
once to loosen the knots, so as to be in
readiness for work, as like enough they would
put a sentry over us at night.
'It was a risky thing to try, for we might
be disturbed at any minute. Still we thought
it were our only chance, so Jack set to work
with his teeth at my knots and in a quarter
of an hour had loosened them. We unbound
our thongs and then fastened them up again
so that to the eye they looked just the same
as before, but really with a jerk they would
fall off us.
'I must teach you how to do that, Harold,
some time yer may find it of use."
G.A. Henty, True to the Old Flag
How to Install the Classic Swing Kit
The Classic Swing Kit uses two knots you can easily learn:
Most
of you have used or put together the steel
tube swing sets that sell by the ton at the
Big Box stores. The dinky little plastic
seats are supported by a short chain. This
is not the swing experience that we are presenting
here. We want you to rediscover the grand
sweeping swing sensation of yesteryear when
the swing ride was more like a trip on a
hang glider than on the stunted tubular swing
built for three year olds. On the right is
all the equipment you need: A good quality
3/8 diameter double braided rope and an oak
swing seat, well finished to survive the
elements.
The first thing you need is a strong beam
from which to suspend your swing. This can
be a tree limb, which is the simplest situation.
If a suitable limb is not available, lash a beam
between two trees at least eight feet apart.
The beam should be equivelent to at least
a commercial grade 2 2"x8". In another installment
we will show you how to
tie the lashing and install a beam between
two trees.
The tree branch or beam needs to be horizontal. If one rope on your swing is longer than the other, the swing will not ride straight, but will twist and turn. A shady quiet spot is also something for which to look.
Set a ladder securely against the tree limb. Carry two lengths of rope that are each ten feet longer than the height of the limb up to the branch. Tie each rope end to the branch, about 18-20 inches apart, using the Swing Hitch. This method is so much easier than the industrial practice of drilling through the branch and inserting a threaded eye. Cheaper, too.
Make sure the two swing hitches are secure
and tight. After you get back on the ground,
choose which side of the oak swing seat you
would like to face up. Sometime the grain
pattern can be more pleasing on one side.
Run the rope down through one hole and back
up through the nearest hole. Tie the Bowline
Knot. Do the same with the other side of
the swing. Work the knots so that the swing
is level. The nice thing about this arrangement
is that the final leveling of the swing is
done on the ground. Cut the excess rope,
and seal the ends of the cut with tape to
prevent unraveling. If the rope is synthetic,
use a lighter to melt the ends. Either way,
you don't want to lose the rope to unraveling.
Test the swing before your children. If it
will hold up a full sized grownup, the kids
will have no problem. Unless of course the
kids are bigger than you, in which case you
should be very polite to them.
Can't find an authentic oak swing seat and some decent rope? Make things easy on yourself and order the Classic Swing Kit.
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