OK to throw out this swing set? (Full Version)

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csl7037 -> OK to throw out this swing set? (6/10/2008 5:59:29 PM)

I'm just wondering, how long should a swingset like this last? What we've got is something like this, it's about 6 years old, and it's in really rough shape. Granted it's been through a couple of tropical storms. But my dad bought it for the kids and dh wants to just toss it. I guess I feel bad because it seems like nothing around here lasts very long - like we don't take care of things. It's an ongoing struggle of mine. Dh likes disposable things, I guess. Is it really bad that we've trashed this thing already? Should I feel bad tossing it, since it was a gift? Should I just get over it and get rid of the thing? It's an eyesore.



manda59 -> RE: OK to throw out this swing set? (6/10/2008 6:09:25 PM)

Can any of it be recycled and re-used to make something else?



Brandy -> RE: OK to throw out this swing set? (6/10/2008 7:05:41 PM)

If it can be repaired for minimal cost/time I'd do it.

That's a really nice set and should last quite a few years with proper maintenence and repairs as needed.

What is so bad about it? What parts or places specifically?



kohls356 -> RE: OK to throw out this swing set? (6/10/2008 7:09:08 PM)

I would try to repair it if the kids are still at the age to enjoy it.



Flintejae -> RE: OK to throw out this swing set? (6/10/2008 7:11:26 PM)

Is it a hazard to your kids?



csl7037 -> RE: OK to throw out this swing set? (6/10/2008 7:17:04 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brandy

If it can be repaired for minimal cost/time I'd do it.

That's a really nice set and should last quite a few years with proper maintenence and repairs as needed.

What is so bad about it? What parts or places specifically?


The bolts are loose and seem stripped. I think that's the main problem. Dh took all the swings and things off of it because he thought it was "unsafe". I don't think it's beyond repair (or wasn't, maybe it is now) so much as dh didn't know how to fix it and didn't want to. He's not exactly handy and gets bored with things quickly. But, in fairness, the storms weren't kind to it. But now he'd rather toss it than mess with it. At this point, I think it's probably beyond repair. I just feel guilty about not taking better care of it, I guess. And I'm frustrated because that seems to be how things go around here. I'm frustrated today, I think.

I just want this thing out of my backyard but don't want to feel guilty about it. I think my kids are about over it, they're 7 and 8. They both want to put grass out there (replace the mulch) so we can let the dog out there so they don't have to take him out all the time. Oh well.



manda59 -> RE: OK to throw out this swing set? (6/10/2008 7:20:17 PM)

I just thought that the wood at least might be able to be used for something else. Or else you could give it away to whoever would dismantle it and take it away.



thisistheday -> RE: OK to throw out this swing set? (6/10/2008 7:22:33 PM)

Freecycle it; someone would probably be glad to put it back together with larger bolts or whatever it needed. They'd come and get it and it'd be out of your way.

Dee



Flintejae -> RE: OK to throw out this swing set? (6/10/2008 7:27:36 PM)

I think your dad will take into consideration that you've had it for 6 years and that it's been through several tropical storms. Call and talk to him about it if you feel so guilty. :)



csl7037 -> RE: OK to throw out this swing set? (6/10/2008 7:52:46 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Flintejae

I think your dad will take into consideration that you've had it for 6 years and that it's been through several tropical storms. Call and talk to him about it if you feel so guilty. :)


I'm probably overthinking it.

Thanks.



peculiar_lady2 -> RE: OK to throw out this swing set? (6/10/2008 7:54:37 PM)

quote:

The bolts are loose and seem stripped. I think that's the main problem.

those can easily be replaced with new hardware

quote:

I just want this thing out of my backyard but don't want to feel guilty about it. I think my kids are about over it, they're 7 and 8.

if they are over it then get rid of it...it has served a good long life. I personally would list it on freecycle with something said about needing to replace the stripped bolts and it needing a little TLC. Then it's recycling it to someone else (and blessing them too!!!) and they can do the minimal repairs to it and use it for their little ones.



garsyt -> RE: OK to throw out this swing set? (6/10/2008 7:58:28 PM)

I second the Freecycle it recommendation! A handy person just might be able to repair it enough to make it useful again.

If I were closer we'd come and at least take a look at it!

My 7, 9, and 10 year olds haven't outgrown their swingset yet! We got ours second hand from friends, replaced some boards on the slide platform and got some new chains for the swings and just last summer my eldest dd earned a requirement for a girl scout badge by painting and doing some repair work on it!

Blessings,

Garsy



PrincessDonna -> RE: OK to throw out this swing set? (6/10/2008 9:25:20 PM)

quote:

Freecycle it; someone would probably be glad to put it back together with larger bolts or whatever it needed. They'd come and get it and it'd be out of your way.


I agree. We'd love to find something like that on freecycle and my husband could fix it so it was safe. I'm sure someone else will feel the same![:D]



manda59 -> RE: OK to throw out this swing set? (6/11/2008 4:12:38 AM)

We're on a low income, but even when we weren't we were always careful with our money, and it really irks me to see people to just throw out (ie dump, or put out with the rubbish) perfectly good things that could be of use to others.

The refuse collectors come to my area on a Friday morning, which means that people put their rubbish (trash) out the night before. I take great glee in walking the dog late that evening and having a good look to see if anyone has thrown out anything useful. Even if it's things we don't want, I'll often take things home and then deliver them to a charity shop the next day - eg a clothes airer, child's bicycle, children's ride-on toys, plant pots and all sorts of other things.



amybreit -> RE: OK to throw out this swing set? (6/11/2008 8:49:46 AM)

I think freecycle would be great too! I'm sure there is someone in your area who would could repair it & would like to have it - or someone who would just want the wood!

Manda - I know what you mean about the things people throw away. I used to think it was just military people who threw perfectly good stuff away (when you move a lot, you have to pare down), but we found a lawn mower (a lawn boy self propelled) in the trash here last year. Dh wheeled it home, cleaned it out, put gas & oil in it and it fired right up! We had friends who didn't have a lawn mower & they used it all last summer with no problem. We used to drive around our base on Sunday nights after church, because Monday was trash day - we would see at least 2 other families driving around too!



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