The Complete Handbook of Garden Hose Fittings & Valves

This is the first book I've found that actually tells you what the numbers mean. As an irrigation installer, I've used it twice already to spec the right ball valve for high-flow lines. I wish it had more photos in the troubleshooting section, but the written logic is sound and easy to follow. The chapter on thread types alone saved me from a costly mistake with a customer's BSP fittings.

I manage the landscaping for a large office complex, and most of our hose valves fail from cross-threading or cheap brass. This handbook gave me the language to argue for buying the better-rated fittings. The maintenance chapter is now in our cleanup crew's protocol binder. I knocked off one star because the glossary feels too short for a 'Complete Handbook', but I keep it in my truck.

Solid technical reference for a niche subject. I appreciated the chapter on using a backup wrench, because that is where I used to strip nuts on my own equipment. That said, I felt the business chapter was a bit optimistic about service margins, and the writing can border on dry. It does what it says, but don't expect a casual read. If you are a contractor, you'll also find the checklist at the end of the troubleshooting chapter useful.

Finally, a book that treats this stuff as engineering instead of an aisle at the big-box store. The flow coefficient explanations and the pressure comparison table helped me design a distribution manifold for a greenhouse that used to have pressure drop issues. The problem-solving section on freeze damage is spot on and matches what I've seen in Maine winters. I have recommended this to the other two guys on my crew.

I bought this to help me decide on fittings for a drip conversion in my home orchard. The specification details are probably excellent for a pro, but I found the early part of the selection chapter a bit dense. The installation chapter brought it back down to my level, and I successfully swapped out my old spigot without a leak. It's thorough, but a bit more than the average hobbyist needs to get started.

As a dealer in irrigation equipment, I rely on accurate specs to keep our customers happy. This handbook is a fantastic training tool for my counter staff, who now understand the difference between NPT and GHT and why a simple mismatch causes returns. The private-labeling and supplier chapter gave me a practical start on what to ask potential manufacturers. A worthwhile buy for anyone into watering systems professionally.