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Letter to the editor

How-to project gets folks into the swing of things

By Don and Dave Runyan, Special to the Times
Published June 30, 2007

There's nothing like a lawn swing for reading, napping or spending time with someone close. The only drawback for do-it-yourselfers is that a free-standing lawn swing is a pretty ambitious project when it comes to time and money. At least it was until now.

Even an amateur with a few basic tools can create this comfortable, sturdy, attractive and affordable lawn swing in about a day. Made entirely from about 100 feet of inexpensive, heavy-duty, schedule 40 PVC pipe - plus some canvas, PVC pipe joints, glue, chain and some common hardware.

To build, cut the pipe to length and assemble the pieces into three basic units - the base, the seat and the cover. Attach the seat fabric and hang the seat. To finish, cut the cover material to size and fit it over the frame; add standard seat cushions of your choice.

The finished swing measures about 5 feet by 6 feet at the base and stands 6 feet high.

The PVC Lawn Swing plan, No. 678, is $9.95 and includes step-by-step instructions with photos, detailed construction diagrams, a shopping list and cutting schedule, and a toll-free help line for project questions.

A catalog picturing hundreds of do-it-yourself projects is $2. Please include $4 for postage and handling (except catalog-only orders) and allow about two weeks for delivery.

To order by mail, clip this article and send it with a check or money order to U-Bild Features, c/o St. Petersburg Times, 3800 Oceanic Drive, Suite 107, Oceanside, CA 92056. To order by credit card, call 1-800-828-2453. Visit U-Bild on the Web at u-bild.com.

[Last modified June 29, 2007, 10:54:58]