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

[HoppingForward]

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

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.

I put mine together my husbands a bit lazy

It's hard work took me 3 days but I did it

The hardest part is pulling the springs tight

Have a look on the mat for any logos or labels which might give you the make so you can Google instructions.

I did mine mine on my own over 2 days. It was a bit of a faff but I got it done eventually. You can do this!

Would it be worth contacting the Facebook seller to see if they can remember the make/name of it?

Good luck for tomorrow!!!!

Great idea whatson I will look in the morning.

I'm feeling much more positive since posting nothing to do with the large glass of wine

Thanks you all

(So you could google for instructions I mean!)

Please don't see today as a failure. You spent the day tackling a challenge with your children - the fact the trampoline isn't built is irrelevant - you are showing your dc that somethings don't come easy, you have to try plan b, c and maybe even d. A shout out on Facebook should grab some kind Samaritan's attention. Don't give up - you are doing great X

I put together a 10ft trampoline by myself when dp was in a different country.

It took me 2 days though.

Don't worry, just take your time. Lay it all out on the floor first as it should go, place a bolt next to each hole and start one piece at a time. I thought the bolts were too short for ours but you really really have to twist and tighten them.

Grab some friends to help and pay them in beer/wine. Make a garden party of it. You'll get there. You're doing great.

I bought mine dd's without telling DH he'd have to collect and build it. It was only 6ft but it said it would take 2 people 1hr on the instructions and he built that shit up within 30mins on his own. Are you in London? I'll send him round.

I did our 8 footer myself as DH is crap with stuff like this.

You really need the spring puller tool though to get the springs in place. Or the strength of 10 men.

And like someone else said, don't go around in a circle attaching the springs, attach them like a clock. 12 o clock first, then 6 o clock and so on.

Can you photograph your pieces? Mine only has bolts to attach the net poles on.

Before you do it Vaseline the joints.

Also - if you don't have the spring tool a tent peg extractor (99p in Go Outdoors) works well. Wear heavy duty gardening gloves.

I've erected / disassembled a few, they're all much the same. If your friends have done it before you'll be fine.

Spring tips up thread are essential.

There is no make on the Matt but I'm off to check the net...

How did you get on Hopping?

You can do this op!!!!

Where abouts are you OP? I'm very very good at building/making stuff.

It's up!!

It's a bit wobbly and will need some more tightening and we still need to finish securing the safety net to the outer pad - it started to rain around 7ish and then thunder and lightening but it is up.

I can take no credit for it though. DDs called In a few friends and between them the adults got to just watch and put in a bit of help here and there.

Proud mum moment, thanks for all the help

Well done to you all!

How are you going to anchor it to the ground? You don't want it ending up like this!

We've got these corkscrew things anchoring ours.

Oh, thank you four it's on my poxy patio although wedged in a corner... Well as wedged as a 12ft trampoline can be!

You could put some patio slabs over the base pieces?

Yea! Well done op, op's DD and friends. Have fun bouncing!

So pleased to see it's up and well done to you and your DD's for getting it sorted. Nothing like a bit of family bonding over a secondhand trampoline

Well done!!! With a little help from your friends you can now build anything!!!

they are having endless days of fun on it. And I'm MNing sitting on it right now