Machinery’s Handbook

[Alan CharlestonParticipant @alancharleston78882]

I've got my Grandfathers 1914 Fifth Edition which I still use. Tapers, threadforms, involute gear cutters etc. don't seem to have changed – I hope.

Regards,

Alan C.

[simondavies3Participant @simondavies3]

I have a copy of the American Machinists' Handbook by Colwin and Stanley, 2nd edition dated 1914 that I picked up for 10€ in a Paris 2nd hand bookshop – I confess that I have only skimmed through it and usually dive to Google for any data since the time taken to hunt the information down far exceeds today's search engines.

That being said, my quick flick through revealed an interesting way to measure 3 flute tools using a 60° V block, so maybe I will add it to the bedside table reading pile. Surprised also by the support for metric measurements and information being given equal status with the imperial versions.

Simon

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

"Surprised also by the support for metric measurements and information being given equal status with the imperial versions."

Thats because its a reference book and not some politcal statement.

[Nigel McBurney 1Participant @nigelmcburney1]

I have 2 Machineries handbooks,one kept clean indoors and the other stays in the workshop,mainly used for gear and gear cutting info,lots of info when needed though very US based,one was well used and a gift the other was works issue. The machineries screwthread book is used far more often, purchased it new in 1967 and is so useful when identifying threads on vintage work. I have Kempes engineers handbook (2 vols) not much use for our sort of work,can't grumble thy were again works issue.I was given some time ago a book published in 1905 "A text book of Mechanical engineering " written as a text book for mechanical engineers taking the city and guilds examination,covers loads of now historical information and prints of machine tools,hand tools,even a diagram how to cast the iron spokes into the centre hub of a traction engine ,just a good read.It sounds a bit silly but the most used booklets in my workshop are by Presto,Dormer and Moore and Wright,for drill sizes ,cutting speeds,tapers ,metric/ imperial conversion tables,etc etc and were free.plus the zeus type tables, though I do find the tapping diameters in my tables bought in 1958 at the start of my apprenticeship are a lot tighter than those specified in the more modern Zeus tables. One set of books which so good are the 4 volumes of treatise on the steam engine by DK clarke,two volumes cover the description in minute detail of smaller stationary engines,portables,up to the larges mill and marine engines,and railway engines but no road steam.The drawings are so fine and clear,show all the fine detail,they would be ideal for someone making a serious model,the other 2 volumes cover boiler work and steam theory and not so interesting,they were a bargain at £25 from a neighbour.

[Enough!Participant @enough]

Posted by Cyril Bonnett on 17/03/2017 01:30:25:

Is it not the case that you can reprint an out of copyright book and then claim the copyright

Very possibly but the point was that IP seems to have been renewing the copyright on a regular basis to prevent it from going out-of-copyright.

[Author]

Posts