Book needed to learn machining

[DrDan]

I got a new combo Grizzly Lathe/Vertical mill. I have done some lathe work and also ran a Bridgeport vertical mill, but it's been years. Does anyone know of a good book on machining? If I hurry I can finish my trailer and start messing with toys for the "Bota"

DrDan

 

[beenthere]

A few years back, I studied machining, and the book was "Modern Machining Technology" by Richard Baril, Delmar Publishers Inc., 1987. Its a 700 page text book, with great illustrations, covering all(?) machining techniques. May be worth a look at a library, as being familiar with just one book doesn't make me an expert. But it seems like it covers the material very well. Rnjoy the new toy.

 

[RPM]

DrDan,

First thing you'll find is that none of the good books in this category are cheap.

My favorite is "Materials and Processes in Manufacturing" by Degarmo, Black and Kohser. This 1100 page tome covers all you want to know about almost every manufacturing process - including machining. I've used it dozens of times - it's full of illustrations and photographs and has a heavy emphasis on practical advice in place of some books that are filled with theory and equations.

Even though the book is over $100 new, I would still recommend it - it's easy to blow more than that on the wrong equipment -- or trying to do the job the wrong way. Do try to take a look at it before making a decision - I'm well aware that not all books are for everybody though! I should add that it is not a step-by-step operating manual. I used this book when I did my Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering - and the course was accompanied by two years spending an afternoon a week learning how to use the machines described. Sometimes you just can't replace the hands-on part of the training - and I was certainly thankful for it when working with the guys on the shop-floor later on. A complete beginner could not pick this book up and learn how to be a machinist.

Whatever book you choose, make sure you get one with good sections on machine set-up, measurement techniques and material properties. Machining "skill" is less than half the battle - these other areas are critical. If you watch any good machinist they spend a lot of their time setting up - and then continuously measuring the work to ensure that it is produced to tolerance.

Unfortunately these skills are being consigned to the dark ages with all the computer controlled machine tools - but are still essential on the typical machine tool that a small business or hobbyist can afford. The biggest assets I was always taught that a machinist can have are patience and attention to detail - I guess neither of those fit with todays fast paced manufacturing operations!

Hope this helps,

Patrick