DIY Sex Swing: PRO TIPS from a BDSM Sex Toy Tester!

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Swings are easy, right? How many of us had a tire swing hung from a tree at our parents’ or grandparents’ house? Well, a swing that’s meant to hold a child who’s probably going to jump off into the dirt anyhow is a far cry from a piece of gear that needs to safely support grown adults.

A sex swing needs to be stable, durable, made from high-quality materials, and most importantly, thoroughly tested. This is not something that most of us can accomplish in a home workshop. We recommend purchasing products from reliable manufacturers who adhere to the above standards, like the Wild Side swing. It retails for $119, and when you think about everything that goes into making a safe swing, this is a bargain.

We know that the internet is a wild place (hey, you found us, right?) and we know that there are a lot of “helpful” suggestions on how to DIY your own gear. We’ve sorted through as many as we could and come up with the ones that are the least worrisome.


Why You Should Trust Us

My Sex Toy Guide is staffed by sex educators, journalists, and researchers. Just like it is the job of sex toy/gear manufacturers to develop and manufacture safe, effective products, it is our job to evaluate what’s out there and bring you informed recommendations. This makes us uniquely qualified to guide you through the process of deciding if and how to DIY your own sex swing or other gear.

 


What Is a DIY Sex Swing?

A sex swing is a swing, usually with additional attachments and restraints, that is hung from a ceiling hook, a door frame, or a stand. It keeps one partner suspended, which means that certain sex acts are no longer hampered by those pesky laws of gravity.

Fetish Fantasy Bondage Swing

Sex swings are fun for most couples, but they are especially beneficial when one or both partners have some mobility challenges (and, if one or both partners would be unlikely to be able to move quickly in the event of an equipment failure, it’s even more important to be sure that the swing is safe and stable).

A DIY sex swing is a homemade version of the above. Some are extremely elaborate and some are pretty basic, depending on the builder’s skills and wants. We recommend that you check out the highest-rated swing that we tested, the Screamer Dual Hook. It earned the top place because of its width, adjustability, support, and safety. This should be your north star when you’re thinking about how to build your own sex swing.

 


Is Making a Homemade Sex Swing Safe?

Bottom line: no, it is not. Swings and toys that you purchase from an established manufacturer or retailer have been professionally engineered and constructed to be safe. They are produced with materials that we just can’t get at a typical big-box hardware or craft store.

Most importantly, each design has been through many rounds of testing. Most of us do not have the funds or facilities to produce and test numerous prototypes. We cannot advocate for DIY-ing a sex swing or other sex furniture. That said…

 


The Best of What’s Out There

If you’re here, you’re probably still interested in trying to build your own sex swing. We’ve gone through years of posts on the r/BdsmDIY subreddit and selected some projects that we think are the best of what’s out there. Most of them have substantial history and comments, so they have at least stood the test of time.

Please note that any action you take upon the information on this website is strictly at your own risk, as laid out in our Terms of Service.

1. Four-Point Portable Sex Sling

This is not necessarily a project for beginners, but it’s very well done!

Materials

  • (4 )1” x 1” x 3/4” reducer tees, malleable iron
  • (4) 3/4” x 24” iron pipe nipples
  • 3/4” cross fitting, malleable iron
  • 8’ of 2” heat-shrink tubing (optional)
  • 20’ of 1/4” coil chain
  • (4) 3/8” x 2-1/4” cotter pins
  • (2) 3/8” quick link
  • 1/2” quick link
  • safety glasses
  • tapping oil
  • pry bar
  • vise
  • large screwdrivers
  • drill with 3/8” bit
  • round file
  • zip ties
  • thread locker
  • nylon webbing straps
  • sling (seat)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Cut the chain into 5’ lengths with 51 links each.
  2. Drill 3/8” diameter holes in the center of each reducing tee and apply tapping oil through both walls. Clean off any burrs with a round file.
  3. Install one tee onto each pipe nipple, creating permanent connections.
  4. If desired, cut heat-shrink tubing into four 2’ lengths and shrink them onto each pipe nipple, trimming the ends as needed.
  5. Install the cross-fitting onto one of the nipples, ensuring a tight fit perpendicular to the axis of the reducing tee, and mark this piece for future reference.
  6. Install each assembly to the cross with a tight but not permanent fit, and mark the top of the cross and each reducer for easier reassembly.
  7. Find the exact middle of each chain (26th link from either end) and mark it for future assembly. Pass each chain through a different reducing tee and slide the cotter pin through the tee, intersecting the marked link. Close the spring hasp on the end of the pin.
  8. Attach a 3/8” quick link to the top end of each chain pair, ensuring a secure fit without damaging the threads.
  9. Pass the 1/2” quick link through the two 3/8” links and tighten all threaded connections. The load will now be symmetrically distributed with the lifting angle about 45 degrees from horizontal and the largest link sitting right above the center cross union.
  10. Attach your sling and perform testing to ensure stability and comfort.

2. Dungeon-Inspired Swing

This is a very ambitious project, but you can strip it down quite a bit and still have a great swing.

Materials

  • Soundproofing insulation materials
  • HVAC system
  • Home gym squat rack
  • Heavy-duty chains
  • 1” eyebolts
  • 60” 4K TV and wall mount for TV
  • 4K camera
  • Dual microphones
  • Indirect lighting fixtures
  • Anchoring points such as eye bolts, D-rings/O-rings, or hooks
  • Mounting hardware (screws, bolts, brackets, etc.)
  • Electrical wiring and connectors for TV, camera, and lighting
  • Tools (drill, screwdriver, wrench, etc.)
  • Safety equipment (gloves, goggles, etc.)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Install insulation materials on the walls to enhance privacy and reduce sound transmission.
  2. Work with an HVAC technician to install a central air and heating system.
  3. Position the squat rack in the center of the room. Use heavy-duty chains and 1” eyebolts to suspend the bed from the squat rack securely. Make sure that the eyebolts are properly anchored and capable of supporting you and your partner’s weight.
  4. Mount a 60” 4K TV on one of the walls. Be sure that the TV is securely attached and positioned at an optimal viewing angle.
  5. Install a 4K camera on a wall mount to capture your activities. Attach dual microphones to the rack directly above the bed to capture audio effectively.
  6. Install indirect, and preferably dimmable, lights to adjust the lighting intensity according to your preferences.
  7. Install multiple anchor points on the ceiling to accommodate various bondage or suspension equipment. Make sure that these points are robust and securely fastened.

3. Ceiling-Mounted Sex Swing

Here, we are installing a ceiling mount. You will need access to the attic or at least the ceiling joists above where you plan to mount the swing.

Materials

  • 4” x 4” lumber
  • Joist hanger
  • Screws
  • 12” welded eye hook
  • Nylon washer
  • Steel washers
  • Hole saw
  • Wire coat hanger
  • Swing

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Use the wire hanger to poke a hole in the ceiling where you want to mount the swing.
  2. Access the attic and locate the hole that you made. Use a hole saw to cut a hole of the exact size needed for your spacer or washers.
  3. Secure a 4” x 4” between the joists using a joist hanger and screws on both sides.
  4. Place a longer 4” x 4” across four or five beams directly over the other 4” x 4” so that the holes line up. Alternatively, you can stack 2” x 4”s to avoid having a gap.
  5. Drive a 12” welded eye hook through both 4x4s and secure it with a nylon washer sandwiched between two steel washers.
  6. Use several washers to fill the gap made by the hole saw in Step 1.
  7. Hang your swing from the eye hook.

4. Leather Sling

Here’s where you make the sling for the swing frames we described in projects 1 and 3.

Materials

  • Large piece of high-quality leather
  • Waxed nylon thread and stitching needle
  • D-rings and rivets
  • Leather conditioner
  • Measuring tape
  • Pencil or marker
  • Cutting knife
  • Leather adhesive
  • Awl

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Lay the leather on a flat surface and use a measuring tape and pencil or marker to design a 16” x 32” rectangle with 9” x 2” tapered legs (straps) coming off each corner. Cut the leather carefully using a cutting knife.
  2. Apply leather adhesive to the overlapping sections of the straps for added strength, press the straps firmly together, and allow the adhesive to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  3. Use the awl to create stitching holes along the edges of the overlapping straps. Thread a stitching needle with waxed nylon thread and stitch the straps together using a saddle stitch.
  4. Use the awl to create holes for the attachment points. Attach the D-rings securely using appropriate rivets or stitching.
  5. Trim any excess leather and ensure smooth edges. Apply leather conditioner to protect the leather and enhance its appearance.

As far as slings go, The Stockroom’s Leather Sling below is the sturdiest one that we’ve tested. The Stockroom is known for their excellent leather work and this is a perfect example of it. The sling is made with a four-point design to be used with a ceiling mount or swing stand.

Stockroom's Leather Sling

 


What Not to Do

Whether you use the instructions above or any others, you should absolutely stay away from:

  • Cheap and/or Flimsy Materials: A sex swing has to support adults engaged in vigorous activity, and this is fairly demanding. It needs to be constructed with high-quality, durable components. It’s not always easy to find the kind of materials we need, and when we do, they are often very expensive. However, it is foolish and dangerous to use anything less than the best. You can always purchase a swing like the Fetish Fantasy Deluxe that comes with comfortable, secure two-leg stirrups and arm straps.
  • Unstable Structures: Again, the swing has to be steady and stable. Many homemade frames are not stable, and alternatives like door-mounted pull-up bars are not designed to support more than one person or remain stable when jostled.

 


Why Is It Better to Buy a Commercial Product?

The most important reason why it is safer to buy a commercially produced product, especially one that could cause serious injury if it fails, is that it has been developed and manufactured to be consistently safe. Professionally made sex swings have enough straps and support to keep users secure and stable.

Many swings have even been tested with larger users: the Whipsmart Pleasure Swing below can support up to 450 pounds, although you will need to upgrade the spring for users over 200 pounds.

Whipsmart Pleasure Swing

If safety is not a strong enough reason, swings made by reputable manufacturers are:

  • Higher Quality: We have already acknowledged that companies that make sex toys and gear have access to components that the rest of us can’t easily get — and if the companies can’t find what they need, they can commission it! That’s not a realistic option for most of us. Professionally produced sex swings and other gear will have better feel, fit, and finish than most DIY projects.
  • More Versatile: Sex toy/gear manufacturers have designers, engineers, and developers on staff, as well as a market research team that knows what customers want. They are able to create and produce items that can be used in different positions by people of different sizes and shapes. The Pipedreams Fetish Fantasy Series Yoga Swing is a great example; it accommodates a very wide range of positions (but it does have a learning curve and demands strength and flexibility).

Maggie

Maggie Hart
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