chucketn
Senior Citizen
I would like to start a thread on recommended books for the novice to expert machinist. I know opinions vary greatly on the value of books as learning tools. I for one learn more by doing than by reading. But I often get inspiration from books, as well as explanations of methods I cant find elsewhere.
I am in the situation that a lot of novices are in. I have no one close by to mentor me, or anyone that enjoys making stuff, hence my membership on several hobby machining boards like this. The only machine shop training Ive had was, like many here, in High School, many years ago. I can ask questions here, and get lots of good info, but having a good reference in print is priceless. Plus, I want to build up my library to peruse during the cold months when I cant work in the shop.
Im not looking for specialty books like building marine engines, or gunsmithing, unless that particular book contains good explanations of machining practice. And, I dont mean references like Machinerys Handbook, though I do have an old one I downloaded.
To start off, I will list the books I have, and what I got from them.
The Gingery Series, by David Gingery, 1-7:
These books are great for learning rudimentary machining and fabricating skills. If I didnt have a MicroMark 7 x 14 lathe and an X2 mill, I would be building the Gingery tools. They provide much inspiration that one can make anything.
Lathework, a Complete Course, by Harold Hall. Its been a while since I read this book. I just flipped through it again to refresh my memory as to what I liked about it, and found the answer to a project Im working on, but thats another thread. See what I mean?
So, what books do you have, what have you read, and what did you like about them? What did you learn from them?
I have recently ordered Tool and Cutter Grinding, by Harold Hall, and will soon order Machine Shop Projects, by South Bend Lathes, and Unka Dave Gingerys Shop Notebook from Lindsay Books, but cannot yet give an opinion on them.
Chuck in E. TN
I am in the situation that a lot of novices are in. I have no one close by to mentor me, or anyone that enjoys making stuff, hence my membership on several hobby machining boards like this. The only machine shop training Ive had was, like many here, in High School, many years ago. I can ask questions here, and get lots of good info, but having a good reference in print is priceless. Plus, I want to build up my library to peruse during the cold months when I cant work in the shop.
Im not looking for specialty books like building marine engines, or gunsmithing, unless that particular book contains good explanations of machining practice. And, I dont mean references like Machinerys Handbook, though I do have an old one I downloaded.
To start off, I will list the books I have, and what I got from them.
The Gingery Series, by David Gingery, 1-7:
These books are great for learning rudimentary machining and fabricating skills. If I didnt have a MicroMark 7 x 14 lathe and an X2 mill, I would be building the Gingery tools. They provide much inspiration that one can make anything.
Lathework, a Complete Course, by Harold Hall. Its been a while since I read this book. I just flipped through it again to refresh my memory as to what I liked about it, and found the answer to a project Im working on, but thats another thread. See what I mean?
So, what books do you have, what have you read, and what did you like about them? What did you learn from them?
I have recently ordered Tool and Cutter Grinding, by Harold Hall, and will soon order Machine Shop Projects, by South Bend Lathes, and Unka Dave Gingerys Shop Notebook from Lindsay Books, but cannot yet give an opinion on them.
Chuck in E. TN
