How to Build and Hang a Porch Swing

For this building project, we selected a 5-foot-long swing made from stout planks of solid teak, milled into elegant, comfortable curves as lovely to admire as they are inviting to the touch. No cutting is needed, so assembly takes only a few hours. And the effort is doubly repaid: in savings (this swing costs hundreds of dollars less than one put together in a factory) and in satisfaction. You've created an heirloom you can proudly say you built yourself.

Before tackling final assembly, first "dry-fit" all of the pieces without glue. This will be time well spent. You'll know in advance if the kit has all of its parts; you can sand down any tenon that isn't sliding into its mortise; and you'll lessen the chance of making a mistake that's harder to correct later.