Has anyone built a swingset without a purchased plan?

[MayDay]

My kids are begging for a swingset and monkey bars.

You can buy an A-frame swingset kit on Amazon that has brackets that you just screw the wood into:  http://www.amazon.com/Scout-Custom-DIY-Swing-Hardware/dp/B0000BXJI9/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1446050865&sr=8-5&keywords=swing+set+hardware. 

I wouldn't mind a slightly more complicated project, but want to keep the budget low as we are renting and are looking to relocate in 1-2 years.  Thus I hate to spend a big chunk of my total spend on plans.

We have basic tools but nothing fancy. 

Thoughts?

[MayDay]

Here is a monkey bar option:

 http://www.homedepot.com/p/Swing-N-Slide-Playsets-Monkey-Bar-Kit-WS-4564/202696473?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cTHD%7cG%7c0%7cG-BASE-PLA-D21-PlaySets%7c&gclid=Cj0KEQjw5MGxBRDiuZm2icXX2-sBEiQA619bq7D8T7JrjFRvBlSTIEP6GPOriO2pRBxdHdjgVV51P9waAv6l8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

22$ for 6 bars.  But I don't think I can attach it onto an A frame swingset. 

[Jesstache]

My husband built one for our kids with no plans.  I don't think it was any cheaper than buying a kit though... he tends to overbuild relative to the kit and then justify these kinds of things by saying, "It cost the same, but I made it SO MUCH BETTER!"  He's an engineer so he can't help it.

FWIW, I'm also an engineer but I much prefer the cost/benefit analysis model where it will cost the same, be less work (not take a month to do) and still be "good enough" that my kids will likely enjoy it about the same. 

[MayDay]

So I just fell into the black hole of the internet (sick with a cold so I am being lazy all day).

Apparently a swingset built from anything but a 4x6 crossbeam will result in HORRIBLE DEATH for my precious snowflakes. 

I was thinking about building a monkey bar and then hanging swings from the monkey bar crossbeams.  Using 2x6's as the two crossbeams.  I found models like I want to build for sale, but no plans to build.  Like this one:  http://www.betterhealthfitness.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=yagendoo_VaMazing_zoom2.tpl&product_id=550&category_id=117&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=44

Those are not 4x4's or 4x6's, are they? 

[CALL 911]

$1500?!?  People pay that?
I'm in the wrong field.
The ladder section and side braces look like 2x4, while the monkey bar part appears to be 2x6. The rungs are likely 1" dowels or iron pipe spaced about 18".

[MsPeacock]

Check craigslist or free cycle. There are often people giving away swing sets and all you,have to do is come take it apart and haul it away. If there are any rotten bits of wood you can cut a replacement board.

[albireo13]

I built my own set.  The local town park had one which was purchased.  I dropped by there a few times for ideas and measurements.
Otherwise, it was all my own built, using PT timbers for the frames and non-PT for the pieces that the kids would sit on.

It's been about 30 years now and it's still standing.   The kids are all off on their own and getting married now.  I want to take a chain saw to it but,
it will be hard.   : (

[JordanOfGilead]

So I just fell into the black hole of the internet (sick with a cold so I am being lazy all day).

Apparently a swingset built from anything but a 4x6 crossbeam will result in HORRIBLE DEATH for my precious snowflakes. 

I was thinking about building a monkey bar and then hanging swings from the monkey bar crossbeams.  Using 2x6's as the two crossbeams.  I found models like I want to build for sale, but no plans to build.  Like this one:  http://www.betterhealthfitness.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=yagendoo_VaMazing_zoom2.tpl&product_id=550&category_id=117&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=44

Those are not 4x4's or 4x6's, are they?

My dad built one for my little sister using 4x6 beams. He built a prototype with 4x4s, but they flexed a lot. The 4x6 is enough to support him or myself swinging on it and we both weigh at or over 200lbs.
If you do go the diy route, I would recommend anchoring the posts into the ground with cement though.