How To: Build a playground slide

In this video tutorial, you'll find instructions for building a standard joist design playground slide, supported by 3-by-4 posts and secured with galvanized fasteners. All fasteners exposed to the outdoors must be weather-resistant, galvanized, zinc-coated brass or stainless steel. Standard homeowner tools are all you'll need to complete your slide—a tape measure, post-hole digger, circular saw, sawhorses and a level. A good drill/driver is a great tool if using decking screws as fasteners. And while there's nothing wrong with the old hammer-and-nail approach, you can't beat a high-quality framing nailer if you tackle a lot of rough construction. Before starting, check your local codes to make sure you're allowed to build on the proposed location and that you properly anchor your posts according to regulations, type of soil and geographic location. For more, or to get started building your own playground slide, watch this DIY video tutorial.