Porch Swing

butzla

butzla

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Feb 5, 2008
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There was an article in FWW recently testing the strength of different joints,  (M & T, loose tenon, bridle, saddle, biscuits, dowels, etc and the domino).  Surprisingly, the domino scored somewhere below the middle.

When the Mrs. put in a request for a porch swing on our new farmer's porch, I wanted to use the Domino for the joinery but was a little leary.  After all,  not only did the joints have to hold up to the weight of the material, (white oak), the weight of up to 3 adults, but this would all be swinging as well.  Certainly the ultimate Domino strength test.

I scoured the internet for plans or pictures and finally settled on an augmented version of Norm's plan

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Norms' measures 4 feet in width, I increased mine to 5 feet.  Here's my version:

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I used the largest sipo dominoes available, 10mm.  I used in groups of 4 where I could and 2 in all other situations:
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I had some interesting challenges, one was cutting a second domino in the top of the front post  
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The fence on the domino didn't have enough clearance to allow me to cut it like all the others. so I came up with this simple jig:
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Not only did I use the Domino for all the the joinery, but I used it to cut the mortises for all the seat back slats.  Because the slats measured 2 inches wide ( ~51mm) I had to cut each mortise in 2 passes (you can see the double pencil lines on top):

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For the seat slats, I made multiple passes on my planer until I reached a
 
After a few test rides on the swing with 3 large adults (over 600 #!) the swing doesn't rack not even a bit.  Sam Maloof built his chairs/rockers using nothing but screws/dowels.  I have complete confidence in using dominoes in the future.  

Some more pics:
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Very nice indeed! Did you also make the rocking chairs?

How do the staples/u-bolts attach to the wood?

Forrest

 
Thanks for the praise, men.  I didn't make the rockers, they are Cracker Barrel Restaurant specials.  Made also from white oak, $120 ea. you couldn't buy the wood for that price.  And the paint job feels like an automotive finish.

I brushed on 1 coat of Kilz oil based primer and followed with 2 coats of Sherwin Williams gloss latex "Super-paint" house paint.  I had it left over from another job.  I sure wish I had a sprayer, what a pain in the arse to brush on the paint.

The u-bolts are called "bow eyes", used under the bow of a boat for hooking it to the trailer.  I got them here from Amazon.  They are through-bolted, the other side is counter-bored and the holes are filled with 1" plugs.  Up close you can't even see the seams.  The seat planks are also screwed down with #8, 1 1/4" stainless screws and hidden by 3/8" plugs.  I used "PL" brand polyurethane caulk-adhesive underneath.
 
Brice Burrell said:
Looks great Jim. I'm coming over to sit a spell, I hope you have iced tea.
Click to expand...

Anytime, amigo.  You're the one who originally gave me the white oak tip.  Thanks
J
 
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