The Complete Handbook of Swing Sets & Playsets

It's a solid reference, I'll give it that. I bought it because I was looking for direction on starting an installation side-business, and the business chapter gives a good overview. The writing is very dry though, and some of the chapters spend a lot of time on topics I felt I could have just looked up online. Personally, the chapter on installation was worth the price, but the rest felt a bit like a textbook I had to plow through.

Finally, a handbook that respects its reader's intelligence. I run a commercial playground maintenance crew, and this has become our go-to manual. The specifics on U-bolt torque specs and the breakdown of different lumber treatments for varying climates are precise. It saved me from a costly mistake on a composite playset installation that had a tricky shear load rating. This is the definitive guide.

As a purchasing manager for a residential contracting firm, we've been looking for a resource to train our new installers. This has been a lifesaver. It's not vague about 'doing it right'; it explains why a direct burial is worse than a concrete pier in heavy clay soil. The troubleshooting chapter helped us diagnose a noise complaint in a 3-year-old set faster than if we'd just guessed at it.

The information is accurate, and I appreciate the lack of hype, but it reads a bit too much like a government safety manual for my taste. I was hoping for a bit more unique or visual content to help with the more difficult installation steps. It’s a useful reference, but it doesn't really invite you to read it cover-to-cover. It's more of a dictionary for my warehouse.

You can tell this was written by a professional who has actually put their hands on these things. The distinction between swing hangers that are riveted versus through-bolted was a detail I'd been using for years to determine quality, and it's finally documented here. I especially liked the honest business analysis; it doesn't promise riches but shows how the margin actually works in servicing.

It's an adequate reference, but I found a few contradictions with the manufacturer's installation manuals I was using. It emphasizes using a specific galvanized bolt, but the manufacturer I spoke with said a stainless steel one was fine in my coastal area. It made me question the overall authority of the text. I'd recommend it to a weekend hobbyist building their first set, not a pro.

I bought this for the buying guide, but I'm a bit worn out by the level of detail. It goes into a lot of depth on the structural integrity of timber versus plastic, which for me was overkill. I just wanted a practical guide on what to look for before I spent a lot of money. It's well-researched, I can tell, but it needs an 'At-a-Glance' summary for busy parents.

I had a specific problem with a swing on a rental property rusting at the weld seam, and this handbook's section on corrosion told me exactly what type of steel was failing. The book walks you through the 'why' as much as the 'what'. It seemed a bit technical at first, but the glossary in the back is great for a general contractor like me. Four stars because it's just a bit dry.