What type of sleepers for garden?

[DoubleSix]

Looking to make a sand pit for my 1 YO, bit unsure about what type of sleepers to use; green, brown, black, reclaimed, new, treated, untreated.... Phew...

Any pointers?

Cheers

[DoubleSix]

Cheers!

So new and untreated it is.

I assume reclaimed is a no because of diesel, tar and such?

[DoubleSix]

[DoubleSix]

bigee said:

Well...I would use treated (any timber used outside should be thus...) and also with a smooth/planed all round finish with 'eased' (basically corners rounded off ) edges. This is what I have used previously when constructing primary school play areas,and actually what was specced by designer/school.
Will cost a few quid more,but will last and be safe.Job done.

Bugger. Nothings ever simple eh...,

[DoubleSix]

Cheers for the link!

I wasn't complaining fella, just always seem to get conflicting advice on stuff.

Much appreciated

[DoubleSix]

Chrisgr31 said:

Sleepers for a sand pit sounds like overkill to me, bearing in mind it will only get 3 or 4 years use.

Yeah quite possibly. I just can't stand plastic kiddie stuff, hate it...

[DoubleSix]

Coneyhurst Blue said:

Hi DoubleSix,

I love sleepers, you can do so much !



Closer one of the sandpit - kids of all ages really enjoy it, we have had 2yr olds just making sand castles,
to 10yr olds making roads and cities !



Go for new sleepers, use a chainsaw, I hand cut these with a saw it was hard work !
Nice wood stain and everybody happy.

Wow! Lucky children to have such an amazing garden to enjoy, touche!

Mines a little more modest...



There's a sunny corner out of shot to the right that I think would be ideal. Reckon I'll also be hand sawing as it'll only require 3 or 4 sleepers, much as I'd love an excuse to acquire a chainsaw!

[DoubleSix]

So I took on board peoples comments, dialled back my ambitions a little and found a smaller shady spot.

Used some planed boards, meant for garden steps I think.

Someone's happy anyway!

[DoubleSix]

Oh and got to treat myself to a Makita circular saw!

Win win

[DoubleSix]

Thanks chaps! I drive a desk by day so such little projects are a great release of surpressed manual skills.

Re hinged lid; I thought about it but was worried about potential for trapping of little fingers or little people. Ive opted for a ply board with roof felt that slides off, could hinge it I suppose.

You are quite right about taking the corners off the stake. Kicked myself for not realising before hammering them in! Any suggestions as to how to go about this now they are in situ?

[DoubleSix]

Harpo said:

Quick and easy way would be an electric plane. If you don't have one then chamfer the edges with a chisel maybe?
Nice work there!

Cheers!

No electric plane so reckon I'll take a junior hacksaw to the corner and then so some aggressive sanding of the remaining edges....