Since I was a kid a long long time ago I always had a fascination with building fortes and club houses. Whether it was out of pillows or cardboard i used whatever was at my disposal. Now that I have more resources available than just pillows and blankets I decided it was an opportune moment in my life to build a real one for my kids.
I have never built a structure in my life but I started out with 4 4x4 by 16' redwood posts and several bags of quikrete and I was launched past the point of no return. I scoured the internet and got my general ideas laid out in my head much of the design work I owe to Barbara Butler. I was consumed for the next several months to building the club house of my dreams. I have never been so happy in my life building this project.
Specs:
Structure Base is 5' x 5'
Total Height 17' Appox
Wood - All Redwood
Tubular Slide
Stainless Steel Firepole
Rock Climbing Wall on the back of the structure
Tire Swing
2 Regular Swings
On secret escape door in the back.
Here are the pictures of my work.
I have never built a structure in my life but I started out with 4 4x4 by 16' redwood posts and several bags of quikrete and I was launched past the point of no return. I scoured the internet and got my general ideas laid out in my head much of the design work I owe to Barbara Butler. I was consumed for the next several months to building the club house of my dreams. I have never been so happy in my life building this project.
Specs:
Structure Base is 5' x 5'
Total Height 17' Appox
Wood - All Redwood
Tubular Slide
Stainless Steel Firepole
Rock Climbing Wall on the back of the structure
Tire Swing
2 Regular Swings
On secret escape door in the back.
Here are the pictures of my work.
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Big Ups to airrob perfectly crafted and technically illustrated.
My boys are starting to get to the age were building one of these would be a good idea. I am looking around to get ideas at the moment. I find that I am also inspired by your great club house.
I am drawing up my plans now. So that I can make the holes for the base in the autumn.
I have some questions about the dimension of the wood that you used.
What size posts do you use.
What size of the beams that go around the post?
Also what is the size of the joists?
Do you find that the swing structure is firm enough? Do you have any other pictures of how that is connected on both ends?
Thanks
Iain
Let me know when you start and I am more than happy to offer any support or tips. The key to this project is planting the four posts in the ground. Once you do that you are at the point of no return.
Then need to cut off the post an inch or so above ground level and install one of those sheet metal supports that are made to keep vertical posts out of contact with the ground and the moisture therein. Will also have to route out the buried wood and make a new solid concrete footing. These supports are not meant for large lateral strength, mainly for vertical strength, so may have to add some structure to the ones on the rope ladder side.
if only i had a back yard to put it in :P
If I would do it again I would not all use clear redwood boards ($$$). Since I would be staining the wood which covers a lot of imperfections and more knots would add character to the structure anyways.