Stuff we built

[dancan]

Built two of these this summer for the kids , 8ftx14ft out of hemlock, the second one not built at time of picture has a slide .

 

[slabmaster]

That's what i call putting your milled lumber to good use! Can't wait to see the one with the slide.

 

[dancan]

We have pulled them out of the lake but the kids had a ball because it made a large platform (16x14) so there were no disputes over real estate , we used a kids plastic playset slide and mounted over the edge of one of the floats and covered the 1x6 decking with outdoor carpet , the 2x12 frames were built on 4x6 skids. The only bought stuff was the hardware , carpet and stain.

 

[slabmaster]

What was used for floats? I'm planning to make one for my pond.I have thought of using plastic barrels.

 

[dancan]

We used plastic barrels that were about 25 gallons in size (approx 1.5ft by 3 ft only a guess I can measure later), they make for the perfect height and critters don't make nests in them .The skids and cross braces keep them in place .

 

[slabmaster]

Looks like they are working good for you.I just hope they hold up without deteriating.Thanks,Mark

 

[dancan]

hemlock around here is very rot resistant (closest thing we have to cedar) .
All the frames are bolted together with galvanized hardware and the decking is screwed on with deck screws , the original rafts were made with store bought spruce lumber and lasted about eight years ,they only spend about 3 months in the water then they are up on high ground .