Frequently Asked Questions
Wood Questions
What kind of wood should I use?
Most of our plans use standard construction lumber like pine or fir. It's affordable, easy to work with, and easy to find. It's also rapidly renewing and biodegradable, so a great eco friendly choice!
Can I use hardwoods instead?
Yes—just keep in mind they're heavier, cost more, and can be tougher on tools and harder to join together and finish. I recommend not tackling a hardwood project until after you have built several softwood projects.
What if my boards are warped?
Choose the straightest boards at the store. You can often work around slight warps by cutting them into shorter pieces.
What wood should I use for outdoor furniture?
Use red-toned or pressure-treated 2x lumber for framing, and cedar or cedar fence pickets for the decking. Outdoor furniture should be built like a deck—your local home center can help recommend the right wood for your climate.
Will my wood move or warp after I build?
Potentially, especially in humid climates. Let your wood acclimate indoors before building. Once acclimated and kept in a stable environment, movement should be minimal. Remember, most houses are built using framing lumber - it's all about keeping moisture down indoors.
Cutting Questions
Do I need a miter saw?
A miter saw is great, creating fast, safe, and precise cuts, even for beginners. But most plans can be built with a circular saw and a straight edge. If using a circular saw to cut, take time to practice, and get good at making cuts, before cutting your project boards.
How do I get clean cuts with a circular saw?
Clamp your board, measure twice, cut slow, and use a sharp blade. This takes practice, so spend some time making cuts. I go through becoming proficient at freehand cutting in my course, it is worth taking if you want to master this skill.
Will the store cut my wood?
Yes—most stores will do rough cuts to help you transport your materials home. But from store to store, the quality of cuts could greatly vary.
Joinery Questions
What screws should I use?
We recommend star-head self tapping screws for framing, most common sizes are 2-1/2", 1-3/4". Pre-drill if close to the edge or you find your wood is splitting.
Do I have to use pocket holes?
Pocket holes are the cheapest, easiest and fastest way to do some joints - like edge to edge or a hidden fastener joint. There are other methods, but these can be time consuming and expensive. We recommend using pocket holes as indicated in plans for best results.
How do I keep things square?
Use a speed square and measure diagonals after each step. Always clamp joints before screwing to keep them tight and flush.
Finishing Questions
Stain or paint before or after building?
A quick sand before and a full finish after gives the best results. Pre-finish if you're doing two-tone or detailed finishes.
What type of finish?
Use oil-based or water-based stain. For paint, cabinet-grade latex or enamel works great. High use surfaces on indoor projects should get a coat of polyurethane, I recommend a Helsman or Spar or other flexible poly that won't crack or peel with wood movement. For exterior projects, use a finish suitable for exterior fences.
How to get a smooth finish?
Start with a well sanded project. Sand between coats (220 grit), wipe clean, and apply light coats with a foam brush or roller.
Plan Questions
Can I change the size?
Many people do, and that's the great thing about building your own furniture! But do keep in mind going bigger might mean more supports are required, and often plans are optimized for minimal material waste.
Are these beginner-friendly?
Yes—plans are written with simple tools and clear steps in mind, with every effort to make plans as simple as possible.
Can I sell what I build?
Absolutely! Just don’t resell or repost the plans themselves.
General Questions
What tools do I really need?
A drill, circular saw, tape measure, square, and a few clamps will get you through most projects.
Do I need a workshop?
Nope! A driveway or small patio is plenty to get started, just make sure you have a level place to work. If you find you are building several projects a year, creating a small workbench is a great way to store tools and have a dedicated workspace.
What if I mess up?
Wood filler, sanding, or flipping boards goes a long way. Mistakes are part of the process!
What can I do to make my projects look more professional?
Start with straight boards, make accurate cuts, clamp all joints, and line up everything neatly. Sand thoroughly, use a neutral finish, and apply it in light coats for a clean look.
I've never built anything before. Where should I start?
Start with a few smaller softwood projects to get hands-on experience. Or if you're tackling a big project, buy a little extra lumber and practice your cuts and joints first. If possible, work with someone who has a bit of experience.
Care & Maintenance
How long will my furniture last?
With good joinery and regular care, your DIY furniture can last for decades. I have pieces in my own home that are over 20 years old and still going strong! One of the best parts about DIY furniture is that it’s easy to repaint, refinish, or repair—so your projects can grow and adapt with you.
How should I care for outdoor furniture?
Lightly pressure wash or hose it down once or twice a year. Tighten screws and reapply finish as needed to protect it—just like a deck or fence. A little upkeep goes a long way in extending the life of your furniture.
How about indoor furniture?
Regularly dust or wipe with a damp cloth. If it starts to look worn, a light sanding and touch-up paint or stain can refresh it in no time. DIY pieces are meant to be durable and fixable—so don’t be afraid to give them some love now and then.
Want to Build with Confidence?
Check out my ebook: 12 Skills to Build Your Own Furniture
It walks you through the core skills every builder needs—measuring, cutting, joinery, and finishing—so you can build beautiful furniture that lasts.
Still Have Questions?
Email us anytime at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help!
Comments
debinmi
Thu, 06/13/2013 - 06:30
SHANTY2CHIC PORCH SWING
This is wonderful! Any possibility of modifying the plan to make it into a glider for those of us without a porch to hang it from? I would love that!
Daisies and Crazies
Tue, 06/18/2013 - 11:12
Shanty's Porch Swing
Love it! Adding to To-Do List for someday... :)
thewoodbuilder
Fri, 07/12/2013 - 09:06
Love the swing
love it want to build it. lol Can you give me some more detail on the hardware for hanging it?
sylvialh
Mon, 09/24/2018 - 04:27
hanging hardware
Whiney didn't provide any info on the actual swinging hanger used, but having googled around it appears to be a heavy duty swing hanger, available at home depot or amazon, but they are pricey ($60 CAD each!). Having looked at the other options, and having already built the swing I will probably bite the bullet and get them. Good on you for planning ahead! I did find them on a swing hardware site for 15$ US but the shipping was prohibitive to Canada. If you are in the states you might be in luck tho! Just google Swing Hanger and lots of options should come up
kyser7389
Mon, 02/08/2016 - 11:56
Beautiful Swing
Quick question: what type of wood would you recommend to use for this?
sylvialh
Mon, 09/24/2018 - 04:24
Wood for use
I used cedar where it wasn't cost prohibitive (I used fence slats for the 1x's) and I used SPF for the frame. It will be on a covered porch and I will finish it so I chose untreated over pressure treated because we will be sitting right on it.
sylvialh
Mon, 09/24/2018 - 04:21
plan your hardware
Great plans, super easy to build, and can get away without the kreg if you don't have one. (But - if you don't have one get one because they are amazing!!!).
That being said, the hanging hardware isn't really mentioned very clearly in either Ana's post or Shanty2Chic - so plan out what you are going to use because the commercial swing hangers are around 50$ each for heavy duty ones (which is the style Shanty2Chic uses in her post if you zoom into the photo) - that will add $100 to you project, so plan ahead!
packjh
Tue, 06/25/2019 - 12:33
Modification
I plan on building this porch swing, however i believe that if you run the chains through the arms like most porch swings, it will eliminate tipping. This will also eliminate the need for a third chain in the back. I will update after build to present my findings.
christ87
Wed, 07/03/2019 - 02:44
Hello!! regards!! …
Hello!! regards!! Congratulations for your great work, I have a question and what is the distance of the screws that hold the chain? Thanks!!
travisstumbaugh
Tue, 05/19/2020 - 12:56
The wife loves it!
I made this one with some of my own modifications, the biggest being I made two separate single swings instead of one bigger swing. I also stopped the back of the seat at two slats so it's lower profile. It worked out great and she loves it!
WickedWood
Sat, 06/20/2020 - 19:16
Plan and picture do not match :(
If you are planning on building this I would suggest going to Shanty 2 Chic and using the plans there. The plans here are not for the same swing, the picture shows 5 boards on the back, this one has 4. I did not notice that until I had already assembled everything. Learn from my mistake and save yourself some time.