Time Lapse Playset Construction

Time lapse footage of assembly of Gorilla Blue Ridge Mountaineer playset with Clatter Bridge and Tower. 23 hours recorded over 5 separate days.

Day 1 - Area preparation. Set footings in gravel play area for supporting primary playset structure.
Day 2 - Major assembly begins. Main platform and swing beam completed. Roof structure complete, roof surface begun.
Day 3 - Roof completed. Picnic table/bench completed. Day cut short due to rain.
Day 4 - Tube slide attached to main platform and completed. Pre-assembly of tube slide sections had been done beforehand.
Day 5 - Clatter bridge and tower assembled. Final details added to main platform. Kids love it!

UPDATE:
Had the second day not been cut short due to the rain, we likely would have completed the entire project over the 2-day weekend.

Lessons Learned:
1) Take the time to sort and organize the poorly labeled lumber and hardware by assembly step (small piles and lots of post-it notes/ziplock bags). The extra time spent up front is WELL WORTH IT.

2) Take the time to properly plan and prepare the area. The time I spent placing and leveling the footings for the main structure meant virtually no leveling and adjustments to be made during construction. Everything came out very plumb and square.

3) Expect some extra pieces left over. The sets are packed in "modules" that are for multiple configurations. Some configurations don't use all the parts.

4) Get a "breaker bar" or LONG extension arm for a socket wrench for driving the lag bolts into the timbers. We had an air wrench that wasn't powerful enough to drive them all the way. The breaker bar saved us.

I know not everyone will feel this way, but I absolutely loved putting this together. It was a fun and ultimately rewarding project. It's been up for almost a year now, and it's gotten plenty of use.

Will be treating with a sealant this weekend as suggested by the manufacturer. So far, the color has held up very well and it got through a snowy winter without any problems.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• playset
• time lapse
• gorilla blue ridge mountaineer
• clatter bridge
• assembly
• outdoor
• playground
• playset assembly