Not too long ago, the wife and I decided that it was time for a playset in the back yard. Because she is able to work from home, she also has the “joy” of entertaining two children all day. So, a playset seemed like a perfect idea. It includes climbing, jumping, sliding, swinging, and several opportunities to fall and give concussions…everything a child needs to grow healthy and happy.

So at the start of the project, I did what I do with everything I purchase. I used my obsessive-compulsive powers to research and analyze virtually every option available. After a detailed cost analysis and numerous graphs later, I had it narrowed down to two possibilities. I could either design and build my own playset or I could buy one of the prefabricated one’s from Lowe’s. Having seen how skilled I am with powertools, my wife strongly recommended that we go the prefabbed route.

So, the first thing you need with a project like this is a good work bench. It just so happens that I had one handy that I could use…

Work Bench

Nothing works quite as well as the bed of a ‘74 Chevy. Well, a ‘73 comes close but I’ve found that the ‘74 just holds things a little better.

Next, I needed a device to help me hold everything in place, hold it level, and hold it square while I screwed it down. Ah, yes, there it is…

Level

The side of the ‘74 Chevy works here. Some people try to use the front, but it doesn’t offer the support that you need. The side gives plenty of stability because it….um….IT JUST DOES, OK! Geez, why do you question every decision I make?!

So, after a the first day, with the help of my utility tool and my friend, Dr. Dave, we were able to get the playset far enough for Butterfly to want to play on it, but not far enough for it to be safe. Yeah, that’s a good day’s work.

Day One and the Setting Sun