Wooden swing sets

[myntik1]

Has anyone put together one of those wooden swing sets?  My son’s birthday party is on Sunday and we’re having a pretty big gathering.  I was going to buy one of those Disney kits last night at HD.  The box claims that most designs take 5 – 8 hours to put together, but when I check the online reviews some people claim those estimates are way off.  I’m just wondering if someone can give me some advice on a good kit to get and if 6 hours is an appropriate amount of time.   The old lady would go nuts if I have a half built swing set in the backyard.  I figure with 2 guys in an afternoon we should be able to bang one of these things out, but I also didn’t expect my basement to take 3 months.

[gavkiwi]

My wife and I bought a cedar works swing set for the kiddos last spring, took us approx 16hrs to build, it was a PITA. Hope your setup is easier, I would say the build times are 'conservative' 

[BobbyG66]

These things always take twice as long as you expect.

Do you have to cut any wood, or is it all precut?
If you are cutting wood it could take two days.

It's good you have help, you definately need a second person during lifting and final assembly.
Make sure that you have a socket wrench and maybe a cordless drill.
Also get a plastic bin or tray to put all the hardware in, you don't want to loose anything.

Is it going on level ground?
My yard has a slope and I had to built a base under one side and bury the other.
Make sure the area you are placing it in is all set.
Also check for any branches that may be in the way.

You also need some beers, but wait until you are almost done. 

Good luck!

[ahofle]

Is it going on level ground?
My yard has a slope and I had to built a base under one side and bury the other.
Make sure the area you are placing it in is all set.
Also check for any branches that may be in the way.

Quoted for truth.  That was probably the biggest pain with putting our kids' playground in the backyard since the ground was not level.  That and trying to get those anchor stakes buried deep enough in the rock hard soil we have around here. 

[gavkiwi]

+1 on a good power drill & socket set, forgot about that