How to Build Monkey Bars (Using Galvanized Pipe Fittings)

Our customers have built homemade monkey bars for exercise, training, parkour, or for their kids to have fun in the backyard (or sometimes inside). So we've seen all kinds of designs for monkey bars built with Kee Klamp fittings and pipe.

With Kee Klamp, you can build a set of monkey bars with no cutting needed. Additionally, a Kee Klamp built structure can be taken apart and reassembled relatively easily. An option that's not possible with welded structures or even DIY builds made out of wood. Thus, Kee Klamp galvanized pipe fittings have become a popular building material in constructing homemade monkey bars.

To give you a better idea of how you can build your own set of monkey bars, in this post, we cover the full details of this set built by Ben in Finleyville, Pennsylvania. Additionally, we'll cover the fittings you need and how to use each so you can build your own monkey bars at home. Let's get to it:

Ben's Monkey Bars Project Details:

Ben uses his set of monkey bars for exercising and training purposes using different rings and other suspension trainers. To come up with the design of the structure, Ben took advantage of our free design assistance. Josh Borroweic, one of our projects team members, came up with a design that worked for Ben and that would be safe and stable.

To ensure the structure would be stable, the following additions were made:

• At the top corners of the frame, a "triangle" (or angled) support is created using the 30 to 60 Degree Single Socket Tee. The pipe length in these sections is 18".
• At the bottom of the frame, another "triangle" (or angled) support is added to keep the structure stable. Again, the 30 to 60 Degree Single Socket Tee is used to add these supports. The pipe length in these sections is 36".
• The horizontal length of pipe at the bottom of the frame extends out past the structure. This pipe is 8' in length.

Overall, the structure is 8' wide, 8' long, and 7' tall. The monkey bar "rungs" are 36" wide and are equally spaced. The monkey bar legs are 6" tall and the "feet"are built using the Flange fitting. The cross bar at the end of the monkey bar allows for a variety of movements when combined with rings or other suspension trainers.

Since the patio tilts towards the retaining wall for drainage purposes, Ben used heavy rubber matting to level the monkey bars. Building the structure was a two person job and took about three hours to assemble.

Ben has been very satisfied with the project stating:

"Overall great project, very happy with it and it gets used multiple times a week. It is also a conversation starter for anyone who sees it."

Fittings Needed To Assemble the Monkey Bars:

Above, we've created a Sketchup modal of a set of monkey bars with a design similar to the one Ben built. We've removed the lower horizontal bar but have kept in the additional supports at the bottom to keep the structure safe and sturdy.

We've listed all of the fittings you will need to build the set of monkeys bars pictured above. Note, that for each monkey bar "rung", you will need two Single Socket Tee fittings. So adjust accordingly. In this case, there are 4 "rungs".

If you would like to modify the design, please reach out to our projects team first to ensure your design is safe.

 

Where to Use Each Fitting:

As mentioned above, the design pictured here differs slightly from Ben's design. So we want to cover how and where to use each fitting, so you can build your own set of monkey bars.

At the bottom of the structure, the Flange fitting and Ajustable Angle Base Flange fitting are used to act as the structure's "feet". The angled support is added to the leg using the 30 to 60 Degree Single Socket Tee.

 

 

At the top of the frame at each corner, the Side Outlet Elbow is used. Alternatively, the Side Outlet Tee in combination with a Malleable Plug (to cap off the exposed pipe) can be used. The angled supports are added to the structure using the 30 to 60 Degree Single Socket Tee.

Lastly, at the top of the structure, the Single Socket Tee is used to create the monkey bar "rungs". The Single Socket Tee accepts pipe in one end and allows pipe to slide through the open socket on the other end of the fitting.

This allows each of the "rungs" to be adjusted in distance from one another if needed. To adjust the distance, the set screw on the Single Socket Tee can be loosened (on both sides of the monkey bar "rung"), moved into position, and then be tightened back down to secure it in place.

Again, if you need any help designing your own set of monkey bars or simply need help selecting the right fittings, don't hesitate to reach out to our team for help. Our team has helped design all kinds of monkey bar structures (including some for the Spartan Race) and can help you come up with a design that is perfect for your application.