BETOOL Swing Set Brackets - 2pcs A Frame Swing Bracket Hardware with All Mounting Accessories (Black)

2020 Swing set TIPS :1. Lumber (purchase separately): pressure treated. The completed A-frame dimensions will be (up to) :12' Long x 8' Deep x 7'8" High. The swing set should be set up in a location with at least 6 feet of clearance in front and back.a. TOP BEAM is a 4 x 6 pressure treated beam. A single 4x6 is required.i. LENGTH of top beam - you decide. The manufacturer recommends using one kiln-dried 4x6 timber -114" (9 ½ feet) in length. Manufacturer warns that the top beam will bend and warp if it is longer than 144” (12 feet long).ii. Three swings – you may want a 132” top beam to adequately fit 3 swings safely spaced apart. (18” per swing, 16” per space between swings, 16” on each end between the outside swings and the frame, plus 7” of beam inside each bracket at each end). [ 7—16 – 18—16—18—16 – 18 – 16 –7 ]iii. Your top beam length will vary depending on what you hang from it. Examples: two swings, a porch style swing, a tire swing or a “disc” swing, a combination of different swings. You’ll need to research the recommended spacing to safely use each, cut your beam length accordingly, and decide where to place your swing hangers. Don’t forget to leave 7” on each end for the metal brackets.b. LEGS – Manufacturer recommends using four kiln-dried pressure treated 4x4 timber - 96" (8 feet long) side support legs. Longer legs are an option; however, you need to be careful not to make the frame too top heavy (tip hazard).c. CROSS BEAM - Optional cross member on each end. You can choose to add a 2x6 pressure treated cross beam across the legs on each end for extra strength. Length – you decide - The length of the cross beam will depend on how high up you place it across the legs.d. STAIN - You may want to stain your lumber prior to installation. Pressure treated lumber should be dried out prior to staining.2. INSTALLATION: Building the frame.a. FIRST attach the brackets to 4x6 top beam. Hopefully, you will discover that your 4x6 beam fits easily into the bracket – mine did!i. Beginner TIP #1: for fitting the wood beam into the bracket. If your 4x6 beam is too tight to fit the bracket try shaving down the ends of the 4x6 top beam slightly with a plane, or a belt sander, or a chisel in order to get the bracket to fit over it.ii. Beginner TIP #2: for fitting the wood beam into the bracket. If your 4x6 beam is too tight you may want to apply ski wax and dish soap to the wood and bracket to make inserting the wood into the bracket easier.iii. Beginner TIP #3: IMPORTANT… position your 2 brackets so that the frame LEGS will flair outward on each end of the beam (and not slant toward the middle of the swing set).After fitting the beam inside the bracket, secure the brackets in place on each end of the beam by pre-drilling holes for the lag screws (included). Ratchet the lag screws into place.b. SECOND – with the beam on its back on the ground, attach SWING HANGERS (purchased separately) after carefully measuring and leaving recommended spacing between each set of swing hangers and between the outside swings and the swing set frame. You may need to research this for your unique set of swings. (The spacing for 3 swings on a 132” beam is detailed below).c. THIRD - slide the 4x4 legs into the brackets with the beam lying on its back on the ground (top down). Depending on the fit of your 4x4 legs you may need to use the tips listed earlier regarding inserting the beam into the bracket.d. NEXT, after fitting the LEGS inside the bracket, secure the brackets in place on each LEG by pre-drilling holes for the lag screws (included). Ratchet the lag screws into place.e. Optional: Finally, you may decide to add a 2x4 (or 2x6) CROSS PIECE on each end of the frame for added stability. Secure the cross piece between the legs with long exterior deck screws or lag bolts (purchased separately).3. SPACING OF SWINGS.a. For three swings: In order to leave the recommended space between THREE swings the 4x6 beam is cut to a 132” length. (18” per swing, 16” spacing, plus 7” on each end inside the brackets). [ 7—16 – 18—16—18—16 – 18 – 16 –7 ]b. Spacing for two swings, a porch style swing, a tire swing or a “disc” swing will vary. You will need to research proper spacing for whichever type of swings you choose to install. You may decide to use a shorter top beam if you are only installing one swing, two swings, a porch style swing, or a single tire swing. Do your research before cutting the beam.4. STAIN WOOD with a redwood stain/sealer combination. You may choose to stain the wood first before you install brackets or swing hangers.MOVING INTO POSITION & SETTING UP – This frame is heavy. Be sure to have at least two adults to roll it over and move it into position. Beginner TIP – adding cross pieces on each end of the frame not only strengthens the frame; it will give you an easier position to lift from, so that two people can more easily move the frame around.I still need to angle cut the bottom of my 4X4 legs so they will sit flat on the concrete pavers I placed under each leg. I’ve found that putting pavers under the 4x4s will prevent rotting. In addition, I am going to use a heavy gauge wire and ground anchors to hold the swing set down and prevent the frame from rocking.

So far so good. Built within an hour or two and taking my time. Easy to build with brackets. Seems pretty sturdy too. Depending where you put you might need anchors for the bottom legs on the 4x4’s but it’s good quality and will last years.

So these brackets they worked great I had it together in 20 minutes. Just a little advice when you purchase pressure treated wood it is obviously wet but there is no need to sand it trim it if you let it dry out in the sun for about 3 days or in a room above 80 degrees it will shrink to original size and slip on like a gloveSo I suggest you pick up your wood the same day you order these and allow sufficient time for the wood to dry out and shrinkThis is an easy project but you have to have patienceI hope this helps everyone’s decision to purchase and do not pay attention to the negative reviews

Why did you pick this product vs others?:A friend recommended this hardware and used it on the swingset he built for his kidsEase of installation:I had no issues with the 4 x 4‘s or 4 x 6 fitting into the brackets. Hardware included:Lag bolts and washers are included.

We bought these to build our own swingset. These worked perfectly!

So far so good! I agree with the previous reviews that say to leave your wood out for at least a week to dry before you do this. It took me almost 3 hours over the span of two days to try and get my 4 x 6 into one of my end brackets. I sanded it down quite a bit and it still took forever. My hands were full of blisters by the end. I bet if I was a little bit more patient and would’ve left it out to dry in the heat for two weeks, then it would’ve worked a lot easier.Man, oh man, this is solid metal brackets. I had bought a different brand for the ends and this brand for the middle bracket and ended up returning the end bracket for this brand and I couldn’t be happier.

worked great to my kid a swingset

Thick guage steel!! These brackets are made solid. When installing, the lumber I used was a real tight fit and used some liquid soap to get them on with a rubber mallet. I will purchase again if needed.