Coop Posted December 9, 2016 Report Share Posted December 9, 2016 I have a hankering, prodded by my wife, to build a porch swing and I would really like to profit from others mistakes on getting the angles correct. I made three sets of Adirondack chairs before I got this right, and gave the first two away. Has anyone ever built a swing that they were truly happy with and that would make an old man's butt and back happy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted December 9, 2016 Report Share Posted December 9, 2016 Sorry, no specific angles but I would be surprised if the angle between the seat and the back weren't the same as a comfortable wooden chair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted December 9, 2016 Report Share Posted December 9, 2016 I agree with Ronn. On a chair, I seem to recall Steve suggesting the seat angke be 5* from horizontal, and the back angle be 7* off vertical. Remember that with a porch swing, you can adjust the suspension chain / rope to give the whole thing more or less recline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted December 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2016 2 minutes ago, wtnhighlander said: I agree with Ronn. On a chair, I seem to recall Steve suggesting the seat angke be 5* from horizontal, and the back angle be 7* off vertical. Remember that with a porch swing, you can adjust the suspension chain / rope to give the whole thing more or less recline. I thought about the angle being determined by the length of the chain but all I have looked at show the arm rest being parallel to the ground/floor, which makes sense. And as my chairs are comfortable, I don't see them being comfortable as a swing, and I sure butchered a lot of cypress to get them where they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted December 9, 2016 Report Share Posted December 9, 2016 You are correct, adjusting the chain tilts the entire assembly. Still need the seat to back angle. If that 5 and 7 degree relationship works, you could build the swing with the back at 92* from the seat, then tilt the seat with chain adjustments to get the seat 5* off horizontal, which would then put the back at 7* from vertical. Maybe someone with more chair experience can chime in ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted December 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2016 9 minutes ago, wtnhighlander said: You are correct, adjusting the chain tilts the entire assembly. Still need the seat to back angle. If that 5 and 7 degree relationship works, you could build the swing with the back at 92* from the seat, then tilt the seat with chain adjustments to get the seat 5* off horizontal, which would then put the back at 7* from vertical. Maybe someone with more chair experience can chime in ... As confusing as it sounds, it makes sense. Thanks bud! When I'm swinging, I'll think of you! Ehhh, probably not ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keggers Posted December 9, 2016 Report Share Posted December 9, 2016 The angle of the seat and the back will change depending on how hard you swing!!! My brother builds swings in Texas. If you like, I'll give him a call tomorrow to see what angles he uses. Let me know. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted December 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2016 12 hours ago, Keggers said: The angle of the seat and the back will change depending on how hard you swing!!! My brother builds swings in Texas. If you like, I'll give him a call tomorrow to see what angles he uses. Let me know. That would be great Kent. I appreciate that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keggers Posted December 9, 2016 Report Share Posted December 9, 2016 I called him this morning, Ken. He said he builds his with a flat seat with the backrest angled at either 10 or 15 degrees. A flat seat makes it easier to get out of when done swinging. I have one that he built and really like it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post AceHoleInOne Posted December 9, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted December 9, 2016 16 hours ago, K Cooper said: make an old man's butt and back happy? That's an easy one, -Ace- 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 Ken, can you give an update as to if this project ever took off? I've been getting the same prodding as of late. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike T Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 What's a good species of wood to use for seat rails. I've got a metal frame but the wood has given up. Need to replace seat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Schmidt Posted May 14, 2021 Report Share Posted May 14, 2021 For a comfortable swing the back needs to be angled around 15 degrees. See the photo at [link redacted]. The chains can be adjusted as well to get the proper angle. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bradpotts Posted May 14, 2021 Popular Post Report Share Posted May 14, 2021 I know this post is old but here is how I built my swing. I built the dimensions around the mattress that I bought. I bought a mattress that has a type of plastic to keep the water from soaking into the mattress. It is made from Redwood and the back angle is 15 degrees. I think all of the joints are dominos? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted May 16, 2021 Report Share Posted May 16, 2021 Thanks for closing the loop on this bradpotts. I see something like this in my future. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted June 5, 2023 Report Share Posted June 5, 2023 On 12/8/2016 at 7:29 PM, Coop said: I have a hankering, prodded by my wife, to build a porch swing and I would really like to profit from others mistakes on getting the angles correct. I made three sets of Adirondack chairs before I got this right, and gave the first two away. Has anyone ever built a swing that they were truly happy with and that would make an old man's butt and back happy? Did you ever make a porch swing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted June 5, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2023 No sir, never did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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