Timber Sleepers Fixings

NathanMorgan

I’m planning on using a single timber sleepers as a perimeter for a climbing frame playing area for my kids.

As I'm only going to use one length of timber sleepers all away round the perimeter will I need to use fixings to secure them together such as laying concrete as a foundation on the soil and placing the sleepers directly on top?

Also what sort of fixings (if any) do I use to secure a centre sleeper together some sort of galvanised strap of some sort?

greyteam1959

I presume that you are aware of what the sleepers were treated with ??
If they are old railway sleepers they will be totally unsuitable for a children's play area.
A Google search brings up all the reasons why you should not be using them.
My opinion only of course

unrecordings

Look for crossing timbers, which should be untreated Jarrah wood (when I last enquired)

-taff

NathanMorgan wrote: »

As I'm only going to use one length of timber sleepers all away round the perimeter will I need to use fixings to secure them together such as laying concrete as a foundation on the soil and placing the sleepers directly on top?

No, they're heavy enough not to move, just sit them about an inch or two down.

NathanMorgan wrote: »

Also what sort of fixings (if any) do I use to secure a centre sleeper together some sort of galvanised strap of some sort?

Big screw. Drill a pilot hole first, if they;re new sleepers they might split as they dry out though.

-taff

Hang on, when you say a perimeter for a climbing frame, is the sleeper intended to steady this climbing frame with your galvanised thingy? If so, I wouldn't screw it into a non anchored sleeper.

silverwhistle

Remember the toilet situation on older UK trains..

Tom99

If the sleepers are to be buried mostly in the ground then they probably do not need to be fixed together.
However if most of the sleeper is above ground you could secure each corner with Timberlok screw which come in various lengths, like these:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/fastenmaster-timberlok-self-countersunk-screws-black-6-3-x-200mm-12-pack/52728
They are other similar makes and you may find cheaper then Screwfix elsewhere.
For a straight edge connection you could use a couple of these on the bottom of the two sleepers.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/mending-plates-zinc-plated-76-x-16-x-10-pack/16034
Or some 2x2 stakes banged into the earth on either side of the sleepers.

no1catman

When I had landscaping down several years ago, I think something like twenty-four sleepers were used.
I certainly avoid sitting or kneeling on them - as at some points creosote seeps through.

Previously, there were log-roll supported borders, that had rotted and collapsed. Along the borders they are mostly one sleeper high, but have spur coming across at the end of the patio and start of the lawn which is two sleepers high - secured by long screws.

Tom99

You don't have to buy creosoted re-cycled sleepers, you can buy new treated softwood sleepers or new untreated oak or larch/douglas fir sleepers.
Or these, for example, re-cycled but untreated hardwood:
https://www.uksleepers.co.uk/product/Untreated_Reclaimed_Tropical_Azobe_Hardwood_Sleepers