Machinery Handbook

[Chris Evans 6Participant @chrisevans6]

I have not looked at mine for 20 or more years but think it is a very early edition of around 1912/1913. A more useful book for me is "Fowlers" engineers book, my edition is from 1933, with the internet I would not consider buying any more paper books now I am in my twilight years.

[JuddyParticipant @juddy]

I have I think the 23rd edition, which I haven't used apart from a causal flick though, my go to for most of the information I need is the Zeus book or for more involved things (rare for me). The Engineers edge web site: Engineers Edge – Engineering Reference Data and Tools

[Chris12Participant @chris12]

What about the engineers black book ? Seems well presented with only the relevant info (a bit like tubal cains handbook)

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

problem is what's relevant to one may not be to the other!

[Chris12Participant @chris12]

fair point !

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

In 1982 I bought a copy of Machinery's Handbook, and from to time still refer to it.

like Tubal cain's "Model Enginere's Handbook" a very useful reference.

Howard

[JAParticipant @ja]

Posted by bernard towers on 31/08/2023 09:15:20:

problem is what's relevant to one may not be to the other!

I do think a good handbook should be more than just a simple reference book. Everything in the book should be presented in a good readable manner so that non-relevant parts can be a good distraction on a cold, wet, miserable day, like today, in the workshop.

Now to read chapter 11 (Piston & Gland Seals) of Tubal Cain's handbook!

JA

Edited By JA on 31/08/2023 12:01:56

[PeteParticipant @pete41194]

Machinery’s Handbook or at least the later versions can be obtained in what the publishers call the large print version, it’s also far nicer to actually use in my opinion if your eyes are over 50 yrs old. It can also be obtained as a searchable CD. Although I believe it may not be 100% compatible with the computer program types used in the UK and maybe Europe for those CD’s. I have both in the 30th edition and use them often.

Even for what were mostly doing, having the known industrial standards is usually important. Cost wise, any used but good condition MHB copy from the 1940’s to late 1970’s would be fine. The later versions start delving into more high volume production orientated and cnc specific topics. Most or maybe all of that older information might be found online with enough searching, but it will take awhile to even find it. For myself, the trig and math tables are also highly useful. And how to properly set up or even calculate drive and gearing ratios for universal dividing heads are well worth the cost for those alone from my perspective. And for the newer versions that still contain a lot of the older information, by now it’s a safe bet that any mistakes were already found by someone and corrected in the next newer version to be published. That’s not necessarily true for anything previously scanned and found online. My own MHB would be one of the last books I’d ever get rid of, but it depends a lot on what your normally doing and how much metric your using. I don’t know about the latest copies, but there’s not much for metric information in the ones I have.

[Bo’sunParticipant @bosun58570]

Haven’t used my 20th edition for some time now, but it’s useful for propping up other books on the shelf.

The thread prompted me to have a quick scan through, and reminded me to take it when I next visit the opticians for a new prescription.

[Graham MeekParticipant @grahammeek88282]

I have a 15th Edition of Machinery’s Handbook, which I find I don’t use so much these days since I purchased the Europa Lehrmittel book, Mechanical and Metal Trades Handbook, (English version).

This I feel is much more relevant to my work today. If anyone is in the Forest of Dean, the Machinery’s Handbook is looking for a good home, FOC.

Regards

Gray,

[Colin HeseltineParticipant @colinheseltine48622]

I have my mothers copy which is an 11th Edition (IIRC she worked in  the drawing office at the Spitfire factory in Birmingham and I should have my fathers copy somewhere but cannot find it at the moment (he worked at Cincinatti in Birmingham all his life). I have referred to them on the odd occasion.

Colin

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

If you don’t know why you need a Machinery’s Handbook, you don’t need one!

In the workshop I rely on my head and a few laminated sheets.   Beyond that Tubal Cain’s “Model Engineer’s Handbook” has most of what I need, supplemented by the web.

My 1949 Newnes Engineer’s Reference Book covers the bonkers world of obsolete Imperial Measure very well, and a few older books explain Admiralty and other long gone thread systems.   Sadly I don’t have a good reference on pre-WW2 metric as practised somewhat differently by Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland and others.

My 21st Edition Machinery’s is good for US, British, and post WW2 metric, and it’s almost comprehensive.   The downside is it’s massive, most of the information is irrelevant to me, and the print is tiny!   I only refer to Machinery’s when all else has failed, and then it’s wonderful.

Dave

 

[HuubParticipant @huub]

I also find the PDF version the best because it is searchable and covers a lot. I also have a hard copy “Tabellen Buch Metal”, promoted by Stefan Gotteswinter, but until now, it has never come up with an answer.

 

[John MCParticipant @johnmc39344]

I used a 20th edition almost for the entirety of my working life.   Still do as I often design what I am making, so a valuable reference.   As has already been said, the internet is not always right, MH was/is peer reviewed before publication, so far better chance of the information being good.

I’ve also found TC’s “Model Engineers Handbook” useful,  a lightweight version MH.

 

[John MC]

On John MC Said:

[…]   As has already been said, the internet is not always right, MH was/is peer reviewed before publication, so far better chance of the information being good. […]

 

But with the 30th edition [2016] of MH being readily available as a pdf download … perhaps the ‘only’ problem is the moral one, of our attitude to Intellectual Property.

MichaelG.

[Michael Gilligan]

On Michael Gilligan Said:

On John MC Said:

[…]   As has already been said, the internet is not always right, MH was/is peer reviewed before publication, so far better chance of the information being good. […]

 

But with the 30th edition [2016] of MH being readily available as a pdf download … perhaps the ‘only’ problem is the moral one, of our attitude to Intellectual Property.

MichaelG.

Presumably this edition and the latest 32nd edition are still updated and peer reviewed by Industrial press?

Are the online versions the work of some dodgy outfit who have no regard for IP rights?   Otherwise exact copies of the genuine article?

 

 

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

There is pdf version of Machinery’s Handbook that could presumably have been pirated.

You got a CD-ROM for a few editions which must have been sitting target for copying and unauthorised distribution.

In the modern electronic world the cost of Machinery’s Handbook has gotten out of line with its perceived value. Probably not shifted that much in real terms, although it is undoubtably cheaper than it was. But back in the day the value of having such a compendium of information immediately available was high so its cost was acceptable compared to the alternatives of library searches et al. For the working machinist a copy was often a graduation present on completion of apprenticeship. Which didn’t stop some firms going stupid on the penny wise pound foolish business. Yes RARDE I mean you. One copy per drawing office and one in the library for the great unwashed to use if they signed for it to be taken out of its locked repository. Stupid, the amount of time I used to waste trying to track down stuff in various handbooks.

Of course printing and distributing something that thick can never be super cheap. Realistically folk like us aren’t the target market anyway.

It’s great shame that the internet community in general hasn’t come to terms with tracking copyrighted content and providing a means of automatically charging a reasonable fee for download. Whatever the source.

When Machiery’s Handbook Digital Edition costs more than the print edition it’s clear someone is taking the Micky. If £100 (ish) is a fair price for the book with all the attendant dead tree distribution costs I suspect that more money could be made overall via informal distribution at pocket change, transparent payment, price. Say £5 or so taken direct from your internet provide who includes a “download X Mb” per month of copyrighted material in your subscription. Extra tiers to pay more for more of course. Every time the file goes to download the copyright holder gets paid.

Given that Mrs Google appears to know everything right down to what I had for breakfast this morning (Monday is bacon!) I can’t see this being fundamentally difficult.

The whole E-book pricing thing seems silly expensive to me. Make them cheap enough to download ion a whim and make up the money on volume. Or why not com prehensile streaming for books from a subscription library.

Clive

[PeteParticipant @pete41194]

It’s likely possible for anyone with far more computer skills than mine. But when I bought my own CD of MHB, I had to call Industrial Press and they issued me a one time use code to install it on my own computer and not use the CD disc each time. So for that edition at least, it was encrypted, how well I wouldn’t know.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Dug out my one purchased at ally pally exhibition some years ago when the going rate was £5. 9th edition 1937. Made me wonder if the original purchaser was in a protected occupation and spend the next few years turning out munitions.

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