Whether you're a newly graduated engineer or a beginning machinist, this book will help you gather some real, practical knowledge of how machines and machinists actually go about working with metal. This isn't theory, but rather it details "real world" practices and gives a good insight into the challenges faced by machinists. Too often, good craftsmen are stopped from venturing forth because the only information available shows just the technically perfect way to do things rather than the simple, practical methods everyone really uses. For those wishing to design and build their first metal parts, it is a perfect starting point, as it highlights the fun that comes from making small projects of precision and beauty.
The author gives freely of his advice. This is not a specific how to each step of any machining operation, but an overall how to. You get lots of advice. And, the book is stunning in its photos.
The author gives you recommendations on which tools and accessories to buy, and which vendors he buys from. An example could be the advice he gives on finishing off your part once it's machined. He advises the use of small polishing stones after the piece has been deburred. You'll see pictures of the stones he uses. "I have found a 1/4" square shape the most useful. The end can be shaped on a bench grinder to get into tight spaces. The stone is dipped into kerosene frequently to keep the surface being cut awash with fluid..." This goes on for about 4 large paragraphs.
Then he tells you about finishing off with sandpapers. "I have gotten excellent results with 320A wet and dry sandpaper glued to small sticks. I buy these wooden sticks at hobby shops and prefer spruce. I glue the sticks to the paper with instant "super glue" and make up a batch of them at one time..." He goes on for several more paragraphs on sandpapers. They he talks about powdered and liquefied abrasive polishes, then tumbled finishes. Well, you get the idea.
The last chapter of the book describes how the author started his business and relays all the important lessons that he learned. This chapter alone is worth the price of the book. In fact, you should read what he says about the great value of their internet site.
Again, this book is geared to the smaller scale of desktop machining... not using the big iron. He notes the differences. His comments on CNC, and on craftsmanship, CAD and engineering are also very interesting. Although all the examples in the book used the company's Sherline lathes, mills and accessories, it was not blatant, nor came across as self-serving.
It's a big format book, paper back, with glossy paper with full color photos on just about every page. I highly recommend this book. My hat's off to the author for doing such a remarkable and detailed job.
Check your local library. The price is steep, and you may not feel you need to keep the book once you've read it.A Nice Start... This book provides a good basic overview of the machines, attachments, and procedures involved iin tabletop machining. As mentioned elsewhere, it is very Sherline-centric, which is probably not suprising and really not to much of a fault.more advertisement than information I got this for Christmas. it's a good read, good examples, but it lends itself more to small machines, like sherline than to general practive for those of us who have chosen a "more robust" machine (read 400-1000lbs) if oyu are just getting started it can be a good reference, good ideas, but oyu might be happier with a less commercial referecne, Line Machine Shop Trade Secrets or Machine Shop Practices Great if you have a Sherline or want one
