| Playground: Putting Up the Frame, Railings and Stairs |
From "Weekend Handyman"
episode WKH-113 |
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Time: 18 hours over two days.
Difficulty Rating: It's rated a 2 on a scale of 1 to 5.
Materials for Complete Project: Play system (including lumber, hardware and accessories)
Open end wrenches
Socket wrench and sockets
2 deep sockets (9/16" and 3/4")
Electric impact wrench Putting Up the Frame, Railings and Stairs - Raise the corner posts, using 1/2" x 4" galvanized bolts and washers to hold the corner posts to the lower deck joist (figure A). Bolt the posts loosely to just hold them up.
- After all the bolts are in, use the impact wrench to tighten them.
- Lift the top deck into position then bolt it in place. Bolt one side and then the other (figure B), and once all are in, tighten them up.
- Angle the corner brackets for support.
- Plumb the columns.
- Bolt the angle brackets in place, attaching the top of all four brackets, then plumb posts, using 3/8" x 5" lag screws to attach the bottom of the brackets.
- Secure the support beam (figure C) for the monkey bars and the fences.
- Attach the 20" high fences around three sides of the lower deck, where the 3" lag screws will hold them in place.
- Bolt the four shorter 4 x 4 posts to the upper deck (figure D).
To use the upper deck or level, you'll need to install stairs. The important thing here is to make sure the steps are level, which may take a little adjustment once the steps are in place. And make sure the stairs are on right side up. Note that with most kits the steps have a non-skid feature that helps to prevent slipping. - Attach the lag screw stairs into the support posts on either side of the steps.
- Now it's time to attach the railing to the upper deck. Attach the decorative railings (figure E) in place with four lag screws.
- Raise the rear wall (comes pre-assembled from the factory) so it sits snugly between the two support posts. Once the wall is in place and flush with the posts, drive 3" deck screws through the studs into the posts.
- The side walls are screwed into place next.
- Wrap up the first day by installing the rails for the steps (figure F).
Safety Alert: Steps without rails can be a health hazard for young children!
RESOURCES :
National Program for Playground Safety
For information on playground safety, click here.
MerryTime Play System
Model: Sundance IV
Color: Beveled (open front)
Suggested Retail Price: $3,049
Accessories with Suggested Retail Price:
- Rock Wall Climber ($308)
- Comet Cruiser (($139)
Full Bucket Tot Seat ($69)
Trapeze Rings ($25)
Air Pogo ($149)
Picnic Table ($98)
Available at the Active Adventure Play System site (see info, below):
MerryTime Play Systems, Inc.
Website: www.activeadventureplaysystems.com
Rubber Granular Mulch (GroundScape Technologies)
GroundScape Kids Premium
Color: Red (also available in teal, brown, green, blue and cypress)
Suggested Retail Price: $2.40 per sq. feet
Available at www.groundscape.com for nationwide dealer network or call 800-678-4967.
GroundScape Technologies
Brooklyn Heights, OH 44131
Phone: 877-922-7529
GUESTS :
Mark Tegen
President
MerryTime Play Systems, Inc.
1520 15th St.
PO Box 196
Two Rivers, WI 54241
Phone: 920-794-7877
Toll-Free Phone: 800-678-4967
Fax: 920-793-5351
E-mail: Merrytime@lakefield.net
Website: www.merrytime.com
Jeff Koch
Sales & Marketing Manager
MerryTime Play Systems, Inc.
See contact information, above.
Brian "Spanky" Pankratz
Installer
MerryTime Play Systems, Inc.
See contact information, above.
Jeff Hill
Independent Sales Representative
GroundScape Technologies
4595 Van Epps Rd.
Brooklyn Heights, OH 44131
Phone: 877-922-7529
E-mail: csenders@groundscape.com
Website: www.groundscape.com
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