This bar ([Fig. 2]), for its simplicity, portability, and strength, has a reputation for being one of the most useful kinds of apparatus made. Not only is it used for a bar, but children’s swings, hand-rings, and trapeze can be attached to it, as the supports can be spread out to allow the bar to stand at various heights by shifting the stretcher irons (A A) up and down. These irons, three-eighths of a inch in diameter, are cranked at each end—i.e., bent at right-angles—and fit into holes in the uprights about 3 inches apart.
There will be very little for you to make in this, viz., the four uprights. After you have planed these over and rounded the edges, mortice 11⁄4-in. square holes through two of the uprights (D), six inches from the top, and bore 3⁄4-in. round holes through the other two. This is to take the end of the bar (B). The square part is to prevent the bar turning round when you swing on it. You will have to purchase the bar with iron core, as it would be impossible to make it without proper machinery.
Size and varnish the uprights with one coat of size and two of hard oak varnish. In fixing, you merely turn the screw-eye into the floor or stakes, and attach the stays (C C) to them.
Lawn Gymnasium ([Fig. 3])
with wooden uprights to fix in the ground.
Fig. 3
Tools.—Same as for Horizontal Bar, [Fig. 1].
| Materials. | s. | d. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Yellow battens 15 ft. long, 7 in. by 4 in., at 5d. | 12 | 6 | |
| 1 Yellow 14 ft. long, 7 in. by 21⁄2 in., at 31⁄2d. | 4 | 1 | |
| 4 Struts 5 ft. long, 4 ft. by 11⁄2 in. | 1 | 3 | |
| 4 Runners 3 ft. long, 2 in. by 2 in. | 1 | 0 | |
| 1 Ash bar 6 ft. long, 17⁄8 in. diameter, with 2-in. square ends | 6 | 6 | |
| 1 Facia board 6 ft. long, 6 in. by 1 in. | 0 | 6 | |
| 20 Nails 21⁄2 in. long | 0 | 4 | |
| 4 Spikes 4 in. long | 0 | 2 | |
| 16 Screws No. 16, 3 in. long | 0 | 8 | |
| 2 Pins 6 in. by 3⁄8 in. diameter | 0 | 8 | |
| 3 lb. lead-colour paint, at 8d. | 2 | 0 | |
| 11⁄2 lb. ultramarine blue, at 1s. | 1 | 6 | |
| £1 | 11 | 2 |
[Fig. 3] represents the Lawn Gymnasium with some of its appendages. My object now is to show you how to construct the frame, and, of course, when that is done you can add whatever you like, as, for instance, climbing-rope or pole, hand-rings (H H), trapeze bar, foot or sitting swing (G), vaulting and horizontal bar (F), etc.