The Complete Handbook of Lamp Post Mounts

It's a solid reference, no question. I liked the chapter on anchor bolt setting because that's where we see the most field errors. But I was hoping for more detail on decorative cast iron mounts, which is what I work with most. The book covers them, just not as deeply as the aluminum and steel options. Still, I've flagged at least six pages to copy for my crew. Worth the money for a contractor's library.

Finally a book that treats this topic like real engineering instead of a one-page spec sheet. The wind load section alone saved me from undersizing a mount on a coastal project. I found the troubleshooting chapter a bit brief on hinged base mechanisms, but the maintenance checklist was thorough. I keep it in the truck rather than on my desk, which is the highest compliment I can give.

As a municipal spec writer, I appreciate when someone does the homework for me. The breakdown of breakaway vs. non-breakaway mounts and their respective code implications was exactly what I needed to update our city's standard details. My only gripe is that I would have liked a few more photographs of the actual products rather than just drawings and tables. The writing is clear and avoids the usual fluff you find in this category.

I came into this as a relative beginner doing a complete yard redo with four posts. The book talked me through everything from picking the right bolt pattern to bedding the base in concrete. I specifically liked the section on galvanic corrosion between aluminum posts and steel bolts - that's not something you'll find in a typical home center guide. A couple of the more engineering-heavy chapters went over my head, but the glossary helped.

Useful, practical, and refreshingly direct. The chapter on business opportunities was a nice surprise, as I was thinking about picking up fixture installation on the side. The section on private-labeling and how to evaluate existing suppliers made me think about the market differently. It would benefit from a few more real-world case studies, but for a reference handbook it hits the mark. I've recommended it to two colleagues already.

Well organized and comprehensive. What I found most helpful was the fair comparison of slip-fit versus tenon mounts, including the exact shaft diameters you'll find on the market. The FAQ section answered my question about whether I could mount a retro LED fixture on an old tenon - turns out I can with an adapter, and the book explains exactly how to measure it. Not a thrilling read, but it's not supposed to be. It's a handbook, and it does its job.