There are a wide range of books available on metalworking topics. This is a list of some of the general works available; for books on specific topics, you might try elsewhere in this compendium (e.g. for books on anodizing, look in the anodizing page).
Video tapes of interest.
Magazines of interest.
Books:
This book is available from South Bend distributors, such as Blue Ridge, and/or Lindsay. It was originally printed in 1914 and last updated in 1966, I believe.
Moderately good text, very good diagrams and pictures, especially of huge special-purpose machines like railroad wheel grinders. Suffers a bit from age, and seems intended for large industrial shops, but a good read if you find it.
Fairly good text, more specific techniques than the Turner/Owen book. Suffers a bit from age, but still a nice instructional book.
A step-by-step text with about 2 photos and lots of simple but usually-clear drawings. Shows how to do most any common lathe operation (and a few uncommon ones) in as few words as possible.
Check page 90 for what seems to be a man with two right hands.
Mr. Smith has published other books on clockmaking, but this one covers more than just clocks, and is thus of interest to more than just clock-makers. This is a collection of articles from the British Horological Journal, Timecraft, Model Engineer, and Horological Times. The articles have been updated and expanded for inclusion in this 112-page coil-bound book.
For a complete review, see HSM Jan/Feb 1992, page 14.
Available from Gateway Clocks, $35 post-paid within USA (overseas buyers add $5 for postage).
Lots of good ideas, and common sense approaches, and the few pages about inspecting used machines is worth its weight in gold for first time buyers.
(Some of Guy's books are also available from other suppliers, such as MSC)
Contains: Working drawings and detailed instructions for making 15 useful and practical machinists tools and lathe accessories; dozens of hints, tips and tricks to help get things done faster, easier and better in your shop; a collection of 2 dozen machine shop anecdotes; 2 highly readable machinists short stories. Projects include: a sharpening jig for drill from 1/8 to #60, a swiveling base for a 2" Wilton vise, a graduated handwheel for the lathe leadscrew.........and many more
THE MACHINIST'S SECOND BEDSIDE READER Similar in format to the first book; projects include: a small pantograph engraving machine, a tool maker's block, poor man's jig borer and a kerosene-burning blowtorch....... also a short story titled "The Bullseye Mixture" which details the method for carbon pack color casehardening.
THE MACHINIST'S THIRD BEDSIDE READER Some of the projects/info: color casehardening, a co-ax indicator, a collet chuck system, a deluxe overhaul of a keyless drill chuck, sharpening tools, sandblasting, setting up work on a faceplate, taper turning, knurling flat surfaces, and more.
"A Treatise on Oiling Machine Tools" Very small (25 pages), very costly ($7.95), and not much useful information according to Tom Walter. One useful warning is to not use way oils in a milling machine's centralized oiling system, as some of them contain wax which will clog the system.
Other books and plans by Lautard (not a complete list): "Hey Tim, I gotta tell ya....' a mini Bedside Reader" "3.75 Inch Diameter Ungeared Rotary Table" "Universal Sleeve Clamp".
Lautard's targeted readership seems to be the home machinist. I'm sure that much of what he has to say may be "old hat" to a skilled machinist with many years experience. I confess that I am a rank amateur in machine shop practice (my only professional experience was as a part-time helper in a gunsmith shop where the machine I got to know best was the polishing wheel). The flyer I quote from is available from Lautard at the address I gave with my last posting.
[reviews and typing courtesy of Michael Gordon, except for the description of the third bedside reader. JK]
It has also been reported that Guy sells an index of some sort, either of all projects or all articles, in the back issues of Model Engineer. See also the description of Model Engineer magazine.
Covers reconditioning of machine tools, including figuring out what's off on lathes and such. Also a good section on scraping (i.e. removing small areas of metal by scraping, such as making a plate very flat). Mostly deals with reconditioning ways, and does not spend much time on mechanical problems such as worn nuts or gears.
Currently available from Machine Tool Publications, Suite 208, 1600 University Ave. W, St. Paul Minnesota 55104, (612) 458-1540. The current (January 1998) price per an ad in HSM is listed as $92.95 plus $5 shipping.
May also still be available via Dapra Corp., 66 Granby Street, Bloomfield, CT 06002 (860) 242-8539. Last time anybody mentioned their price it was $81, but call and check.
Mentioned in sci.materials in response to a "how do I anodize aluminum?" question.
Mentioned as a good reference for electroplating.
Covers a lot of ground and is the first-year book at DeAnza College.
Preface: "It is written for the beginner, as well as for the more advanced craftsman, technician, and manufacturing engineers." "...designed for use in the classroom or for home study,..." (about $20 each)
Basic... Reading prints, measurements, hand tools, bench tools, the lathe & operation, the milling machine & operation. Projects using the Sherline machine system.
Pocket sized (4.5" x 6"). Good student guide to math, drills, tapers, threads, milling/turning speeds, gears, weights & reading shop prints. Sort of a "poor man's Machinery's Handbook".
(review courtesy of Bob Powell): This wonderful 280 page paperback lucidly covers the realm of materials science and engineering, in lay terms rather than textbook theory, but with enough depth and detail to satisfy an engineer in a different discipline.
Explains, along the way, the physical and chemical nature of wood, and the nature and evolution of all common glue types, plastics, composites from straw-clay brick to fiberglass to kevlar, through iron and steel and alloy metals. Elasticity and the theory of strength and toughness, with basic beam theory developed from first principles. Cracks, defects and crack propagation (why glass bends then shatters), hardening and tempering, and to boot, the best explanation I've seen of all the classic iron and steel making processes.
For the wood-inclined, a whole chapter on timber and cellulose from the molecular level up through the evolution of the structural design of wooden ships and (wood) airplanes, with insight into wood drying and wood rot. Dedicates a chapter alone to the evolution of wood glue and the operation and properties of each type.
Drawing, fits, bench work, how to measure, cutting speed/fluids, drilling, lathe operations, grinding, sawing, toolmaking, geometry, mechanics, & reference tables. Good information, well worth the price. It covers screw cutting, via the lathe, better than most. Be sure to get the FREE Starrett information, "single copy mailed to individual craftsmen." Decimal Equivalent Card (pocket size 3" x 5"); The Starrett Story (36 pages 4-5/8" x 6-7/8"); The Tools and Rules for Precision Measuring, Bulletin #1211 (80 pages 5-1/4" x 7-5/8")
These two are Dover reprints, and were state-of-the art from renaissance through perhaps 1850 or so. The first is on mining, and the second on metalworking. An interesting historical look at how things were done in earlier times, and why they thought it worked.
Very good overall text on surfaces and design. Was recommended as a way of learning strange jargon used in CNC machining of surfaces, such as loft, nurbs, and coons.
(recommended by Jerry Kimberlin) This is a textbook for a 2 semester course. It assumes you know nothing and takes you through the whole thing including G, N, APT...2D, 3D, CNC networking, the math, etc. I don't remember the exact price but it is over $50 and less than $70.
Not only is it a great intro to blacksmithing, but it also has the most
wonderfully brief description of metallurgy and heat treating. It is
available from Skipjack Press direct at:
637 Drexel Ave.
Drexel Hill , PA 19026
or e-mail andrews@hslc.org
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The following suggested books pertain to jewelry-making, per Sherry Lem.
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Another book, suggested by Marc Kerr:
"Silversmithing" by Finegold $35.00. This is an excellent book if you are really after smithing and not jewelry making. It has very good descriptions of the smithing process and walks you through a few projects like a bowl, box with hinge and others.