SR Smith slide installation asssembly tips

[fun4stuff]

I am about to install their typhoon slide myself in the next week or so.

I watched their install video and read the manual. Any tips and tricks from people who have done this?

On another video, someone had a tip on how you should just install the mounting concrete anchors and locking washer at the same time (rather than as the manual said: tighten anchor, then remove nut, put on locking washer and again tighten nut).

 

[ajw22]

On another video, someone had a tip on how you should just install the mounting concrete anchors and locking washer at the same time (rather than as the manual said: tighten anchor, then remove nut, put on locking washer and again tighten nut).

There is usually a reason for the manufacturer to recommend a bolting sequence like that and I would follow the manufacturer’s instructions rather then some so called YouTube shortcut.

 

[tommelton]

I have the typhoon slide - but it was PB installed. I have not read the instructions, but make sure you are not attempting to set the anchors with the slide base installed. They must be set with the slide base removed. And make sure you do not overtighten any fasteners. The plastic/composite material used does not seem to have metal inserts to prevent collapse of the material. So just tight enough everywhere or you can easily collapse or pull thru the material.

-Tom

 

[fun4stuff]

I have the typhoon slide - but it was PB installed. I have not read the instructions, but make sure you are not attempting to set the anchors with the slide base installed. They must be set with the slide base removed. And make sure you do not overtighten any fasteners. The plastic/composite material used does not seem to have metal inserts to prevent collapse of the material. So just tight enough everywhere or you can easily collapse or pull thru the material.

-Tom

Hmm really ? So the slide base is attached to concrete first? Then bottom of slide is attached to that? The manual didn’t mention or say to do it that way. I’ll double check.

Good tip on not over tightening. I have ruined so much stuff in my life by over tightening- or made it a pain to disassemble /fix in future. I now tighten almost everything until the point of increased resistance.

Our PB didn’t seem to want to put it together or buy it for us. He said it would be much cheaper for us to buy from a third party- which i believe. But he said would be too much labor for him to put together. Seems kinda strange- i thought maybe he didn’t want the liability ? I took me like 2 hours to put together and that included a trip to the hardware store for a better gasket for the top of the stairs where the stairs and slide connect. That foam gasket was trash and probably wouldn’t have lasted very long (I’d include this as a tip to others). Home Depot makes a similar size gasket out of actual rubber for around $10.


Edit:

i reread your comment. I think i misunderstood what you’re saying. You’re saying to drill the holes and put the anchors in the cement first. You don’t want to try and drill into concrete through the base? Yeah that makes sense. I thought you weee saying to attach the base to concrete before attaching it to the slide.

 

[fun4stuff]

I put the slide together today. Have not mounted it to concrete yet.

Just a tip for anyone who comes across this in the future: a coulple of the holes between slide pieces do not line up when you put together. It helps to do bolts in order directions say, of course. But also- initially don’t try and fit the pieces together tightly. I found that i could get the how’s to better line up on each side if i just lightly set them together. If you try and get them real snug right away, invariably one side will be perfect and the other side will be crooked and impossible to pass a bolt through.

 

[tommelton]

Yes, mine was fully assembled, sat in place to locate the fastener locations, then they were marked, slide moved, holes drilled, fasteners inserted into the holes in the deck, tightened to lock them in, nuts removed, slide installed over the fasteners, and then washers, nuts, tightened.

And yes, assembling loosely is always the way to go, tighten nothing until all fasteners are started and then tighten in a criss-cross pattern when possible, making several passes on the pattern until all are tight.

-Tom