Backyard zipline // How-To | I Like To Make Stuff

I decided to make a zipline in my back yard "for my kids" :)
It's a ton of fun and overall, a pretty quick and easy project!
For more info, and links to all of the parts you need, check out
www.iliketomakestuff.com/zipline/
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About I Like To Make Stuff:
We have lots of projects including woodworking, metalworking, electronics, 3D printing, prop making and more!
These videos are our attempt inspire and empower others to make the stuff that they want to have. Hopefully you'll see something here that will inspire you to make something that you're passionate about!
Backyard zipline // How-To | I Like To Make Stuff
• Backyard zipline // Ho...
I Like To Make Stuff
/ iliketomakestuff

[@themaestro5338]

Sitting in the backyard looking at the forest with my little girl and she says "dad, we should build a zip line" so I told her I bet there is someone on KZbin that'll show us. Thanks man. Btw, don't try to float down from your roof top with an umbrella kids. I tried that in the 70's after watching Mary Poppins. Fail. I also don't recommend attempting a large garbage bag as a parachute. Also an epic fail. Both painful experiences.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

+Homey Van Smack Awesome! I hope you guys have a blast with it!

[@brandongrkman593]

I was young once and tried to jump off my 10 foot roof with a bed sheet…I was on crutches for 4 weeks lol I learnt my lesson

[@superpinkmix7131]

+Brandongdoeshockey I was 8 and thought I was a superhero and jumped off my 8 foot shed roof. I needed surgery

[@ChristinesArtAnime]

well.... too late, did that before and i luckily didnt get hurt. it was FUN . . . off of a mailbox -_-

[@BabySnugglez_]

Homey Van Smack 😂😅 i jumped off the stairs with a large garbage bag, safe to say that that didn't work

[@sophiecole3741]

I need one straight from my bed to my fridge

[@jonathanbrackett9460]

xD

[@shxlyio]

XD

[@ezekiel3919]

lol

[@elisttm]

and back

[@twigziy]

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@ugenbird]

As someone who operates a high ropes course, I would like to say that you should make sure to use carabiners that are designed for climbing. Climbing carabiners are designed to withstand 10 times the force of an average human falling. Carabiners that aren't designed for climbing fail a lot more easily when put under load (eg. when put all your weight into it) On a similar safety note, backups are nice to have in case something fails. When I say backups, I don't mean spares that are used to replace a broken part, I mean something that prevents injury if the main part fails. Backups shouldn't share the load, they take the load if the main part breaks. I'm repeating myself, but seriously, it's better to not get hurt. I suggest having another brake behind the main brake (no one likes to break the brake (pun intended) and then end up smashing their face into a tree). I also suggest having a second, longer connection point between the pulley and the handle. I feel like those are the most important things to point out that haven't been pointed out yet.

[@b-utifulbruiser3693]

Thank you. I screenshot this because with my luck I would probably have ended up knocking myself out lol.

[@louiswhitaker6997]

I'm British, so when he was talking about the cable and went 'it's rated for 1500 pounds' I was like 'wow that's expensive' 😂

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Hahaha :) Hadn't thought about that!

[@ad-hn8ff]

+I Like To Make Stuff How much is it in kg? I'm Australian.

[@friendsandfun7044]

Louis Whitaker same

[@jackslife2039]

Haha I'm Irish but I thought the same thing

[@bradleyhinton9104]

*O O F*

[@Stizzer123]

Decide if it's safe for my kids? Bob please, I'm making this for myself xD

[@myracleh.6969]

lol same!

[@JayBates]

That's bad ass. I'd definitely diagonal that into the pool! Well...probably not with the kids but it would be neat.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

I've got plans :). Needs more backyard infrastructure so it'll be next summer

[@SgtofUSMarines96to04]

Bob great build! Jay, that is exactly what I was thinking!

[@cwadub]

Awesome this has been on my mind for sometime to do in my backyard... maybe I see a weekend project here soon!

[@MaximKachurovskiy]

You might not want having pool edges in the drop zone.

[@LaneyShaughnessy]

Even though I just turned 40, I want one in my yard.... for sure!! Great Job Bob!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Laney Shaughnessy Never too old!

[@thomaseduard10]

I Like To Make Stuff btw bob, what is your age?

[@jackslife2039]

Happy 43rd bday

[@jomilojuagbetuyi2408]

47 now man

[@jodycarlosborrageiro9588]

you missed a golden opportunity to run that zip-line over the pool man... :P

[@Iliketomakestuff]

+Jody Carlos Borrageiro Too much concrete surrounding the pool, considering how young my kids are. I definitely thought about it though :)

[@sillyygoober750]

Your kids are really lucky to have a dad like you.

[@grdovwd1589]

Like many on ILTMS channel, when you got hooked by one video, you get through SO MANY of them ! And it is very interesting how Bob had got better on his channel, not only as a KZbinr, but mainly as a person!! You can really see that having Josh with him really has helped him be more relaxed, more rested, more fun and smiling :) Good for them !! ... and for us !! Lucky we all are :D

[@Thing5O0]

Hey, just wanted to share a few ideas around, these are things I've have on my zipline and they seem to work pretty well. As a brake I have a tire cut in half that I drilled holes in each side and fed the wire through before stringing the wire up. Then I duct taped the wire behind the tire so it couldn't be pushed back (I'm sure you could use a clamp here instead). It's been up for 8 years now and still works fine. Another helpful feature for kids if your zipline is pretty high up you can take the string that you have to pull the zipline back and put a loop (practically a big slip knot) at their foot level, so they don't have to hold all their weight by the handle.

[@hypnolobster]

Most people who don't spend all day rigging have never even thought about this, but with wire rope/cable clamps it's important that the U of the ubolt is against the short end (or, dead end) of the cable. The old adage is "not to saddle a dead horse." The reason is the U side will crush the cable and lose a little strength, and the saddle end is wide and doesn't damage the loaded end. I honestly couldn't tell from the video if you got it right or not, but it's a good thing to know.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

hypnolobster Oh wow, I'd never heard that! That's a great bit of knowledge ,thanks for sharing! I'll go check them now!

[@jackel0228]

@@Iliketomakestuff The "never saddle a dead horse" adage is a real, and serious thing. When I was 18 I was re-cabling a 250 ton crane and was told this. Never questioned it, although I was curious about what tragic ending would come from not following this advice. Fast forward 15 years and I got to see first hand. Not my doing but the cable was essentially severed clean at the first incorrect clamp and the entire load was lost. The U actually cuts the rope as it is loaded and unloaded.

[@lil-zw2rk]

Ok I can't hold it in BOB THE BUILDER CAN HE MAKE IT BOB THE BUILDER YES HE CAN

[@DriftAndGrip]

how original, I'm sure that he hasn't heard that before....

[@lil-zw2rk]

***** Shut up

[@DriftAndGrip]

Lilli Greenarch oooooooooh sorry

[@coffee5704]

lil i just stopped my.self from commenting on something that was posted 2 years ago just like this one, but your comment triggered me so much i had to say something stupid and would waste your valule time and life but i couldnt think of anything stupid and time wasting enough so i just decided to tell you this. Im gonna stop know because i want to let you get back to your disney channle ok bye

[@thebornmaker]

You don't realize you need something until bob from I like to make stuff makes a zip line.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

The Born Maker You definitely NEED it!! :) I'm digging your channel, btw.. great stuff!

[@UltimateTechHub]

Who would give a thumbs down?? Great Video!

[@ogmont]

My son asked me to help make him one today. Thank you for the video!

[@janetledesma6899]

I love the fact that you mentioned protecting the tree from the cable. I have watched a few videos about ziplines and you are the first to do that. We are making one from your video, it was the best by far. Thanks!

[@BROUSBLADES]

This is the type of project that makes me what to get out and go do, such a cool video and idea.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

BROUSBLADES That's exactly what I hope happens!!! Go make stuff!! :)

[@eitherOFthem]

drooling over those tools. i would have made one myself already.

[@benosullivan9195]

You have the coolest garage ever

[@pickle8714]

6 years ago and the video quality is amazing!

[@LazySkeptic23]

Pool and zipline?!? Whats next, a roller coaster??

[@Iliketomakestuff]

+Tisbis Hmmmmmm... let me get my drawing pad... ;)

[@LazySkeptic23]

:D

[@shatterednova5308]

+I Like To Make Stuff I'm still waiting for that roller coaster

[@yuqiteoh9056]

After roller coaster, then an airport

[@XFusioNX5222]

Him: Actually...

[@glennspeeds]

Great video! I made one of these for my daughter about 15 years ago. I bought the cable and clamps and made everything else. I used a couple steel riding mower idler pulleys. It was 200’ long. I didn’t think she could hang on that long so I made the handle with two pieces of rope coming off the ends with a seat like a swing out of wood. It was awesome!

[@richardfinch2296]

i love your channel so much! i loove making random things and your videos give me inspiration for things to build!

[@TheSqoou]

Brings back memories. I had a zipline put way up in a tree house. It stretched far into the woods. I used a spare climbing rope as a brake. Good times ...

[@odt]

Tip: I made a couple extras of the cutting board slider while i was at it so I don't have to in the future.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

+DanT Good call! When I made my first replacement set, I went ahead and got a BIG cutting board and cut the whole thing down to have a few extra sets as well.

[@maritzareneau2673]

Exactly what I was looking for. My daughter in law wants to make a zip líne for my granddaughter's birthday party. I will share your great ideas and projects with her. Thank you!

[@huffler9988]

best dad ever!

[@unirsivrtx5982]

I love the kids swimming in the pool

[@DoublEdgeSpirit]

Wow Can’t Wait to build for my sons!!!

[@starboy71]

Dude! Your video production is top notch!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Mike Price Thank you!! I really appreciate that!

[@jamalone66]

I've watched this video about a hundred times now. My 4 yr old twin boys have requested it multiple times so we watch it a lot. Pretty sure we will have a zip line or 2 in the near future. One of my boys has been making zip lines in the house for about 3 weeks now. He tells my wife that Bob taught him how to make a zip line. Just tonight he asked when he could talk to Bob.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

HA, that's so awesome! I'd love to talk to him anytime. :) Maybe when you guys get them built, we can do a Google Hangout so he can show it to me.. that'd be rad! Let me know!

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Cool stuff. Be careful and have fun.

[@ShavingsandAwl]

Awesome. Such a cool idea. It's surprisingly much simpler than I thought it would be. Great video.

[@bunnyjihan828]

This persons kids must be so lucky with all this stuff

[@kylewithacamera]

Can you start to add how much it cost you to make these projects. A lot of these I want to make but it's hard to convince my parents to help me if we don't know how much it all will cost. People like this ask he'll see it

[@user-oz3ft6us1r]

That's really smart

[@elvaabrego9205]

Or

[@VarnishSpar]

You are a cool Dad! Nice project.

[@k2thah286]

Thanks Bob, this is for smiles only!

[@AndreaArzensek]

I think I'll make one from lumber mill to my garden! Great video Bob!

[@elmailderamiro]

hi , when we where kids we make a zipline, and for braking we used a spring rolled in the wire, a 1,5 meters long spring from and old bed, and in the point a piece of wood with a hole , nice vids, great work, Ramiro

[@mesineymarcrisarnoraldomes3216]

Cool video that's really clear. Have started buying the individual components and looking forward to putting zip wire together

[@ethanoppold1225]

Just bought some land and my dad made this over our lake! Best thing ever with friends

[@PaulGreggBYRC]

In aerospace, and other engineering disciplines, we define a design limit load (DLL) as the most weight you would ever expect to experience. We also define a Factor of Safety (FOS), typically 1.5 in commercial airplane primary structure. Then, we do an ultimate load test, loading the parts to DLL X FOS, and then check for any cracking or yielding. If it passes the test, then we call the design "qualified" for that DLL. So if you want to allow 180 pounds riders, 180 pounds times 1.5 = 270 pounds ultimate load. So, if you want it to be safe(r), get 270 pounds of sandbags or something hanging on it, and send it back and forth a few times. If there is no damage whatsoever, you are good. Repeat once a year, maybe at the beginning of summer. I've been researching backyard roller coasters, using simplified engineering methods.

[@jeffreymckellop4902]

Good job making the line. Safe and effective. Will use your idea about the break.

[@jaredhoffman3244]

Just an awesome video. Nicely done Bob. Wish I had some trees in my yard.

[@pikachu-fe7tx]

I never thought of using the text on the PVC to line up two holes. Good tip!

[@gersidi]

I used a clothesline and clothing hanger.....and it worked! I was 9 when I did it, and the wheelie thingy helped me pull it. I did it all the time, but I don’t suggest because mine was really strong, but it was really high up too, it was from the tall pillar of my house near the roof to my shed, I still do it!

[@maverickjackman8658]

Fabulous video. great use of time and great explanation. Will be back for more! Thank you.

[@Shopbuilt]

Looks like fun!

[@TheRealLifeGuys]

Great!

[@MRrwmac]

Those are fun for young and old. Glad you showed the tube around the cable at the tree. I didn't and mine almost grew into the tree (oops). Bob your videography is excellent, Hollywood quality! Thanks for sharing.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

MRrwmac Thanks!! It was so much fun meeting you at WIA! You're such an encourager!

[@christinalynn8143]

Good idea. Clever, creative.

[@teresaryanmoncrieff9019]

awesome video Bob, I came home from work one day not long ago to find out my 9 year old son had built himself a zip line out of a length of rope and a old cloths line pulley. It was a darn good first try, it worked but needs a bit of TLC. He watched the video with me just now and thought it was really cool. Now we have ideas to implement. Ryan and Holden M

[@SterlingsWoodcrafts]

Very Cool, I am Sure it will get a lot of use, Thanks for sharing Bob

[@alanrodriguez3172]

that's is so awesome, I was thinking the same thing as jay right over the pool, maybe this weekend!

[@ByersLeafguard]

Looks great! Awesome job.

[@linamatthews512]

It's nice to see that you and your wife encourage your kids to be active instead of being couch potatoes.

[@jqcvloggers5373]

Your daugther is so lucky to have a dad like you

[@user-cw9co7jm1o]

such a cool project i made it !!! thanks man

[@jgwin214]

That's awesome. Thanks for the tips

[@amainobi]

Ah, the nostalgia. My dad made one for me when I was younger. We had a tall tree by our pond. The main issue it was hard to climb up to the starting point so it wasn't used very much and eventually my dad dismantled it. When I did get to use it, it was a lot of fun though!

[@thingyee1118]

Thanks for Sharing. Nice Break System ! Great Videos,

[@melissalily462]

Even though I'm never gonna make this stuff I still enjoy watching these videos great job btw I love your hidden bookcase door thing

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Melissa Lily Thanks!! I hope they at least inspire you to make some stuff that YOU want :)

[@MaiBui-zl9mb]

I love your house, you are the most litt dad I seen. Love your videos.

[@pizzagaming9407]

Your creations are amazing, i maybe could make some of these, but i dont have the tools, u deserve more subs Keep Up The Good Work!

[@thepistachio6227]

I think ur the best building channel I've seen, no joke. This stuff is so cool!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks Chloe!

[@terrilord7102]

Love yer vids. I like to make stuff too! Hey, I thought I'd pass along something told to me by a very knowledgeable arborist. I'd made a dog runner, attaching the "ridgeline" cable between my garage roof (via a heavy-duty screw eye under the overhang) and a large tree. The method I used to attach the cable to the tree was pretty much exactly how you attached your zip-line (looped around the tree through a length of hose to protect the tree, etc etc). The arborist--who I'd hired for a whole different reason--happened to see the arrangement and told me that it would actually be way less harmful to the tree if I'd simply put a screw eye on that end as well. I was very surprised by this but apparently looping a cable around a tree in that fashion will have an effect similar to a noose around a person's neck, severely constricting circulation and ultimately contributing to a shortened life span for the tree. Just thought I'd pass that along as you obviously seem to care about your tree :-)

[@prakaashmeenaa]

I made my brother subscribe yr channel, keep making these awesome stuff, especially these outdoor builds filled with nature, love 'em❤

[@sjdcouriers1551]

i love making stuff like you so you githed me plane to do in my garden

[@alexjrgensen2226]

Hey Bob, nice zipline :) One thing you can alter, and use on other stuff, is the knot. A simpel knot puts strain on the rope, effectively making it weak. If a rope can lift 500lbs, and you tie a knot on it, you will basicly cut the ropes strenght in half. Try using a figure 8 knot in stead. The strain on the rope is far less focused :) cheers Alex from DK

[@stevel6220]

Upvoted. One thing that I have seen in other zip line how-to's is to use a come-along to tension the line.

[@thomasarnoldcoe6527]

Great work

[@aidanwansbrough7495]

That's awesome!!

[@offgridDAVID]

Never saddle a dead horse 🐎 in relation to the cable clamps. Nice video❤

[@CMRWoodworks]

Totally rad.

[@sanahtatla3698]

Your kids probably never get bored. Lucky them!

[@kingdomoverlanding]

Awesome 👏 doing this

[@MikeMerzke]

That is AWESOME!!!! If I had a tree big enough in my back yard I'd make one for myself.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Mike Merzke It's a blast :)

[@aa999xyz]

nice, we used 2 pulleys welded to angle iron and the handle was half-inch galvanize waterpipe with padding in a T-shaped. We put it directly over the swimming pool you also need a way to get the cable extremely tight we just use a come along

[@cachecrop]

thanks-great zipline info-weère doing one today

[@scottmercer2627]

I want one of these!

[@rallen7660]

We've made one for I our kids to zip across the play area in our yard. The only problem is that we had it set up in two large trees, and the only places secure enough to hold an adult were too high for the kids, and the trees would flex with the wind, changing the speed we'd slide down. Very fun, except when we'd smack into the anchor tree!

[@diasporaman5419]

That's so dope

[@chucksheppard7414]

I love the new update

[@tennicktenstyl]

So you said common angle is 4° but I wanted go fast and made it 40°. It works fine but you didn't mention how to scrape my cousin from that second tree.

[@lydiasoto9579]

Bartosz Olszewski it's not his fault you wanted to make the zip line fast by making it longer or something like that and the zip line was close to the 2nd tree so

[@derekbond9521]

Look up the word "joke" in the dictionary, its a word you should know

[@uhhuhlisenboy5502]

Nice, im going to make this!!

[@claudiaalvarez542]

this is very cool 4 my kiddos

[@zounilogic7216]

I tried to make this when I was 6 but in stead i used a coat hanger and string... Yeh that didn't work!

[@lukash.361]

+Zuni Logic These where the good old times!!

[@marshallreneemunroe3237]

m

[@huntingandfishingarelife6080]

I tried that when I was in third grade with one of my friends

[@superpinkmix7131]

I used a coat hanger and some fishing line. My sister was 2 at the time and she did it but I didnt

[@shxlyio]

I made it one with string and hangers too. obviously it did not work

[@sydneybourke9738]

Can this guy be my dad please!?

[@ethanoppold1225]

Lol he is so smart

[@cruzyii]

+Ethan Oppold there isnt anything that Hard you just need Money.

[@marlonjacobmariano7003]

Sydney Bourke Do you mean you're not contented with your father? if you're not then SHAME ON YOU

[@bugbr0o239]

Sydney Bourke ikr

[@suzannesunshile8030]

P.U. Lighten up. SHAME ON YOU

[@owdeguy]

We need this for ORD Camp next year!!!! :P

[@TheJimsock]

You're having way too much fun.....so...yeah.....I'm jealous.

[@jrsnides]

really great vid

[@suewootton2566]

Awesome video

[@tracycui2761]

so cool!!

[@josephlarocca1206]

I'm building this for the family I think I'm going to build two one over the pool and one over the trampoline thanks man!

[@jkagler]

Love this

[@jjg_sisters5388]

I made one when I was 8 and my brother was 11 we got creative and we needed no ones help all we had was a metal line and a metal pole and two big trees first we used ripe for both but we I got stuck in the middle with metal there are so things you have to do like you would be right at the end 3 ft off the ground you have to let go of the metal pole and run chase it will shoot up in the air and that thing hurt glad to share my story ✌🏼️😂

[@stevensharrow490]

Love it, just discovered you., awesome. Great fire escape for the daughter's room (she'll demand fire drills)

[@Omenxiiii]

You are the man

[@hrd1124]

Hey yay I made it playing all the time