I am making my kids a playstructure in the back yard. I want to include a set of monkey bars that will be 10ft long. I was originally going to use 2x6 dimensional cedar lumber for the bars but was considering using steel tubing instead. For a 10 span and to safely support the weight of the occasional adult goofing around what size tubing would be sufficient. Would 2" round HSS with .125" walls be sufficient? 2x2, 125 wall square HSS? Any help would be appreaciated. Thanks!

Need to know total weight of folks on structure and how you will attach cross pieces - thruogh holes? What is HSS?

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Originally Posted by xtrck

I am making my kids a playstructure in the back yard. I want to include a set of monkey bars that will be 10ft long. I was originally going to use 2x6 dimensional cedar lumber for the bars but was considering using steel tubing instead. For a 10 span and to safely support the weight of the occasional adult goofing around what size tubing would be sufficient. Would 2" round HSS with .125" walls be sufficient? 2x2, .125 wall square HSS? Any help would be appreaciated. Thanks!

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How about 2 or 1.5 in schedule 80 water pipe, their wall thickness is about 0.21 in. I saw people use this kind of pipe in heavy duty swing set

Thanks to both. I actually did ending up using 3x1 hollow structural tubing for the sides with .120 walls and 1" round for the cross bars after using some engineering formula calculators on some other sites. These things are pretty much bullet proof and could probably support 15 kids no problem.