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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

In thinking I could buy a 2nd hand 12ft trampoline and put it together myself?

49 replies

HoppingForward · 02/04/2016 20:14

The hopping household have had a rough time of it lately, things have been real tough since becoming a single mum. The DC were never allowed any large garden toys when he was here precious lawn so imagine my joy when I took a look at a local selling site and there is a 12ft trampoline up for sale.

They would love a trampoline, always wanted one. It has a safety net and ladder, all dismantled and ready to go, yay! Off I go and pick it up - couple of car trips, lovely lady even helps and brings a few bits in her car.

There are bolts and springs and all parts so I get googling on how to set it up. It won't work, the bolts are too short or too long, I've no doubt they are the right bolts but I've spent all day with DC trying and trying and we can't even bolt the frame together.

I'm a failure Sad

Not that he would have been any help putting it up, it wouldn't have even been allowed to be purchased if he was here but I'm having a mini pity me MN moan, I can't even put up a trampoline and now it's heaped in the garage.

OP posts:
FrancesHouseman · 02/04/2016 20:17

Can you put a call out on facebook for a practical friend to help you? My sister is ace at sorting things like this out, I'm rubbish - just not technically minded at all!

NorbertDentressangle · 02/04/2016 20:20

Do you mean you can't work out which bit goes where? In which case could you google for instructions for that make of trampoline? Or if you know someone else with the same one go and have a look at which bits go where?

Otherwise, if it's just another pair of hands you need, rope in a handy friend.

Original poster
HoppingForward · 02/04/2016 20:22

I wanted to be a strong and independent women and seriously piss him of when he sees the top of a 12ft trampoline over the garden wall the next time he bothers to see his DC

FB plea is probably a good idea. DC are expecting me to try again tomorrow but I just can't do it Grin

OP posts:
OhYouBadBadKitten · 02/04/2016 20:28

I did one myself. Putting together the frame without it falling apart meant a little bit of ignoring of instructions. The last few springs were really tough so I created a kind of lever/pulley thing to get them to hook on.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 02/04/2016 20:30

oh I'm really sorry Blush that was really unhelpful of me. You should be able to find the instructions online.

Original poster
HoppingForward · 02/04/2016 20:35

was it a big 12ft one, did the frame need bolting together? Do the big bolts with blocks on go on the circle frame or used for the safety net poles?

I can't imagine ever getting to the spring part of assembly but thanks for the tip!

OP posts:
NorbertDentressangle · 02/04/2016 20:41

What make is it?

Original poster
HoppingForward · 02/04/2016 20:47

No idea!!

I have friends coming over tomorrow, I'm not feeling very optimistic but who knows Grin

OP posts:
catewood21 · 02/04/2016 20:47

I think it is really a 2 man job assembling the frame, especially a second hand one which might be slightly bent out of shape..You really need one person to hold one side of the frame up while the other person does the other side

gamerchick · 02/04/2016 20:49

It's a 2 man job.. With the best will in the world you'll always need 4 arms to put a tramp up.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 02/04/2016 20:50

oh cripes, it was about 10 years ago! I dont remember taking it apart, apart from it
It was a big one. The circle was in sections that inserted into each other. They sat on big u sections which made the legs. or something. It then had big poles for the net....
if you can tell us the make I can google to make up for being so insensitive!

NorbertDentressangle · 02/04/2016 20:51

Sit yourself down with a glass of wine/cup of tea and watch a few of these videos to give you an idea and then tomorrow, when your friends are there, you can get them to help.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 02/04/2016 20:52

you can definitely do this :)

makingmiracles · 02/04/2016 20:53

I did it with the help of my 10and 12 yr olds, was a bit of a challenge and took us a couple of hours but we got there in the end. Have you got a pull tool to attach the springs, that was the hardest part by far and required quite a bit of strength on the last half of the springs.

Thisisnotausername · 02/04/2016 20:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Pilgit · 02/04/2016 21:00

Definitely a 2 person job. Not even my DH (who is very handy ;)) could manage on his own as you need 4 arms at points. And don't forget- being independent sometimes means knowing when to ask for help (which you have). Get some beers in and make it a fun afternoon.

Griphook · 02/04/2016 21:03

Can you link to the eBay pictures?

bbcessex · 02/04/2016 21:06

Op. Hats off to you for even trying. You need 2 people for a trampoline that size. The springs will be very hard to load by yourself.

As PP suggested, put a plea on a local FB page and / or ask a handy man person so spend 2 hours doing it for you.

Still a bargain even if it costs you a few quid to get assembled.

Good luck, I bet your kids will love it. Top mum for getting it for them xxx

TimeToMuskUp · 02/04/2016 21:09

I did a big 14ft one by myself because DH was working away and would have vetoed the purchase, so it had to be built before his return so he couldn't send it back (he used to be precious about his lawn).

I had blood blisters all the way across both palms from pulling the springs to meet the mat. The rest was fine, but you need the strength of Thor to do that last bit. Ask a friend.

Original poster
HoppingForward · 02/04/2016 21:09

Sorry thisisnot but your post actually scared me a little bit

I have friends coming over on the ransom of wine and lunch

norbet thank you, I think I watched most of those today whilst swearing under my breath Smile I will give them another go in the morning.

Thanks pilgit I just wanted to do something nice and it ended up not working but now I have friends coming over on a Sunday and I'm looking forward to it, something that again wouldn't have happened when he was here god forbid I had anyone but him to call on for help

I will be back with updates!

OP posts:
NorbertDentressangle · 02/04/2016 21:09

It will be worth it too as trampolines are great places to lie in the sun with a pillow under your head and a book in your hands!

SoakedinBleach · 02/04/2016 21:10

We struggled with our brand new one complete with instructions! The hardest bit was attaching the springs. DH got nearly all the way round then realised it was upside down so had to undo them all and start again. Worth it when it was up though many cross words were exchanged throughout the afternoon Blush What i'm trying to say is it is bloody difficult and not a reflection on you!
Sit down with a clear mind tomorrow and slowly and steadily work through it, You can do it!! To push you through just imagine ExH face when he sees the dead circle of grass under your humongous trampoline which YOU paid for and put together Grin

Thisisnotausername · 02/04/2016 21:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
HoppingForward · 02/04/2016 21:16

X post. Local handy man quoted £40 per hour and 3 hours to assemble Shock

No assembled pics unfortunately, it was a FB selling page. Thank you for the votes in confidence, I could never understand why the DC couldn't have swings or trampolines, things to do and why the lawn came first even though it does did look nice. I may have fostered a rescue dog as well since he isn't here and she likes to dig holes that's ok, the trampoline will hopefully, eventually cover them up Grin

OP posts:
imeatingthechocolate · 02/04/2016 21:16

when you do the springs don't go around them in a circle think of it like a clock one spring at 12/3/6/9 then fill in the rest

they did give you the hook that goes with it didn't they? you need that to attach the springs

i did an 8ft one alone and partly reassembled a 12ft one it is doable

are you putting the bolts through the legs only or the legs and the net? the one i had was separate bolts so you bolted the trampoline together then you bolted the net on afterwards with clips/clamps that went around the legs of the frame