Bench Swing
Update Summer 2024: The “Monogram” Bench / Swing is now for sale!
In the summer of 2020, we spent a lot of time hanging out in the backyard.
I felt it needed a bench swing…
With no knowledge of benches nor swings, I started with this photo I found online. It has a nice scooping seat that looks comfortable.
From there, I made this graphic, obviously adding some Mendelow flair.
Here’s that graphic with dimensions. It is designed based on available lumber sizes: 2x4, 2x2, 1x2. What I didn’t know at the time was that the actual board dimensions are below their stated size. For example, a 2x4 is actually 1.5” x 3.5”.
From there I built a 3d model in Fusion 360.
This allowed me to confirm exactly how much lumber to buy, as well as create templates.
The wood and template prints.
The template for the profile of the bench.
I taped the template to the wood and outlined it. I had no idea what I was doing when I started, but you can see how in small steps it seems simple enough.
The profiles/supports cut out and assembled.
And one of the arm rests clamped and drying.
I photographed myself next to the tree with a tape measure, and then took it into photoshop and duplicated myself to find the height of the tree- to know how much chain to buy.
Attaching the slats to the frame.
If I did it again I’d use spacers instead of eyeballing it. It came out great, but spacers would’ve been quicker.
Here’s a shot most of the way through attaching the slats. The bench was made intentionally 4ft wide so that 8ft stock could be best utilized.
Slats installed and trimmed, armrests attached. All that was left was to angle off the armrests, install eye bolts, and bore a hole through each armrest for the chain to pass through. Plus of course finishing (sanding, staining, poly).
The first test hang! My intuition was right, the scooped seat is super comfy. I wish I’d gotten a photo of draping the chain over the tree- it required going up a ridiculously tall ladder.
It turned out amazing. A comfortable place to relax, read a book, or sit by the fire pit.
I’m writing this nearly four years after building it, and the bench is still out in the yard in great shape.
and after finishing touches, I present to you…
The Mendelow bench swing.
Want your own custom bench / swing?