Machinery Handbook (AKA Bible)

[Stuey]

I was just wondering how many of you are familiar with Machinery's Handbook.

I bought the toolbox version of the 27th edition and have recently gotten my money's worth of it. Gotta LOVE the tap/drill bit chart when there's no internet access around!

Publisher's Link
Toolbox version via Amazon, via Barnes & Noble.
"Large Print" version via Amazon, via Barnes & Noble.

Just a warning in case anyone is not familiar with the text and plan on purchasing one in the future - the toolbox edition is SMALL. Fold a piece of 8.5x11" paper in half. It's about that small. The font is a bit small, even for 25 year old eyes. Unless you need the portability, go for the large font version.

Anyhow, for reasons that escape me, I spent 15 minutes after lunch today reviewing o-ring standards. All I was looking for was for reference regarding Buna-A vs. EPDM, and got sidetracked.

What are you guys' favorite engineering/elbow grease references?

Edit: I too have the PocketRef book that's mentioned in posts 11 &12. GREAT random little book. PocketRef. The best part is that it's barely over $10, so if it gets raggedy from use/every day carrying, it's quick and cheap to replace.

 

[PAToyota]

24th edition here - both the "bible" and the guide.

 

[Stuey]

24th edition here - both the "bible" and the guide.

Have you found the guide to be useful?

LINK for the curious.

 

[wilbilt]

I have an oldie here, even smaller pages than that.

A wealth of information in there, though.

 

[senlow]

I have the toolbox size in the 24th edition along with the guide in the shop. I keep a full size 25th edition in my office. I find that I almost never use the guide. The Handbook is my most used "general use" reference.

 

[OldCarGuy]

You can see my 23 edition of the Machinery Handbook on the shelf between my two workbenches. Right above my laptop computer, my other reference notebook. You can find more information than you would ever need to know about steel, heat treating, machining speeds and feeds, along with gear configurations, bolts, threads, and formulas covering almost everything. It’s a when in doubt about anything mechanical, you can find the correct answers type of book. Being an old timer, I haven’t updated to the latest edition. Why?? I have my Father’s 11TH edition that dated from 1942 that fulfills my needs when I’m at my drafting table in the basement.

 

[goodfellow]

I still have my 18th edition and an older 11th edition I found at a yard sale -- can't live without that information. Alsolutely essential --

The guide is useful in helping you interpret the somewhat cryptic table information.

I also have a copy of the "Handyman in-your-pocket" reference by Young and Glover. Is smaller and travels in my briefcase wherever I go. It's like a swiss army knife -- has a 1001 uses.

 

[wilbilt]

I looked at mine, 12th edition 1945. A great reference .

 

[rsanter]

I have a 20th edition in the garage for use.
I also have a 10th or 11th (old) version that is put away just because its old.
I also have a (copy) of the CD version from work

bob

 

[Detroit Diesel Man]

You can see my 23 edition of the Machinery Handbook on the shelf between my two workbenches. Right above my laptop computer, my other reference notebook. You can find more information than you would ever need to know about steel, heat treating, machining speeds and feeds, along with gear configurations, bolts, threads, and formulas covering almost everything. It’s a when in doubt about anything mechanical, you can find the correct answers type of book. Being an old timer, I haven’t updated to the latest edition. Why?? I have my Father’s 11TH edition that dated from 1942 that fulfills my needs when I’m at my drafting table in the basement.

Nice lookin Shop..is that a Gerstner machinist Box? sorry to semi hi-jack the thread..


DDM

 

[Kevin54]

I'll have to look at mine at work. I think it is a 23rd, but not for certain now. I got it 28 years ago for the cheap price of around $38 back then. Another book I find that I use rather extensivelly is the Pocket Ref. guide. They cram the proverbial 10lbs. into the 5lb. bag in that little book.

 

[eschoendorff]

I'll have to look at mine at work. I think it is a 23rd, but not for certain now. I got it 28 years ago for the cheap price of around $38 back then. Another book I find that I use rather extensivelly is the Pocket Ref. guide. They cram the proverbial 10lbs. into the 5lb. bag in that little book.

I can vouch for this book... really cool, but not even in the same realm as a Machinery Handbook for serious applications. A good book to have around in any case....

 

[Stuey]

I completely forgot about the PocketRef - I added a link to the first post. I wish the Machinery's Handbook was pocket sized, but the PocketRef is better for on-the-go. I believe it also has some knot diagrams in it that I REALLY could have used last weekend.

 

[PAToyota]

Have you found the guide to be useful?

Most definitely. A lot of what is in the Handbook is overwhelming if you aren't quite sure what you need out of it. Sort of like data in raw form. The Guide gives you calculations and examples that help you to make sense out of the data in the Handbook.

Both of them tend to migrate from my shop to my office and back. Might pick up another set so that they don't log so many miles.

 

[MXtras]

26th and 20th edition here.

I copy and enlarge then highlight the frequently used references. I have been compiling a quick reference binder for most of my career, so I rarely actually look at the book any longer.

Scott

 

[Bob Paulin]

I still have my 18th edition and an older 11th edition I found at a yard sale -- can't live without that information. Alsolutely essential --

The guide is useful in helping you interpret the somewhat cryptic table information.

I also have a copy of the "Handyman in-your-pocket" reference by Young and Glover. Is smaller and travels in my briefcase wherever I go. It's like a swiss army knife -- has a 1001 uses.

Some of the older versions are said to have MORE useable information for home-shoppers....basic information on setups, mathematical formulae, etc. that has been deleted in later versions to make room for more modern stuff such as CNC, etc.

I have a 25th edition that I bought new for $75.00, along with a 15th and an 11th that I picked up in a used tool store for $6.00 each.

 

[Atlascycle]

I have the 26th Edition Always within reach.


Can you print the pages from the CD Version? That would be Ideal for Scott's Idea of a reference Book.


Jason

 

[OldCarGuy]

Nice lookin Shop..is that a Gerstner machinist Box? sorry to semi hi-jack the thread..


DDM

The center top box is a 1948 Gerstner that was given to me from a relative when I started as a tool and diemaker in 1966.

If you like Gerstner wooden tool boxes, then you'll appreciate what Santa left me last year. They are Gertner's 100 Anniversary series Chest, Base, Riser, and Roller Bench all in Cherry....

 

[Atlascycle]

The center top box is a 1948 Gerstner that was given to me from a relative when I started as a tool and diemaker in 1966.

If you like Gerstner wooden tool boxes, then you'll appreciate what Santa left me last year. They are Gertner's 100 Anniversary series Chest, Base, Riser, and Roller Bench all in Cherry....

 

[RickP330]

22nd edition here Luv the pocket reference. I added it to my wish list...

RP

 

[Stephenw]

I have the 24th edition. I got it off eBay for a very good price. The previous owner put a lot of effort into installing labeled index tabs. It was also in excellent condition. The tabs allow finding the most needed information very quickly.

 

[kornjulio]

20th edition here...my father was a machinist and he gave it to me when I started engineering school.....used it quite a bit for my ME classes....

 

[dxdexter]

I have the 27th full sized edition. I purchased it when I bought my lathe last year. When I got it I thumbed through and read a lot of the chapters. I thought I would use it more, but I seldom open it now. To be honest I am not a machinist and most of the information, although interesting is beyond what I will ever do in my home machining career. If I had to do it all over again I would have saved my money.

The best text I have read with regard to learning some machining and the use of the lathe is my brothers machinist textbook from trade school.

 

[kf4zht]

The guys that make the pocket ref book also make a yellow bound one called handyman in you pocket. It focuses on the handyman stuff and gets rid of the misc categories. Between the clean up and the yellow cover it is easier to find in the shop. I keep one of those in the toolbox and have a pocket ref that floats between my truck and my room.

I need to get a copy of the handbook, I think I will call it a "school book" next semester. After all I am minoring in manufacturing.

 

[Detroit Diesel Man]

The center top box is a 1948 Gerstner that was given to me from a relative when I started as a tool and diemaker in 1966.

If you like Gerstner wooden tool boxes, then you'll appreciate what Santa left me last year. They are Gertner's 100 Anniversary series Chest, Base, Riser, and Roller Bench all in Cherry....

Now THAT is a Beautiful Tool Box...



DDM

 

[eschoendorff]

No kidding.... toolbox? or furniture????

 

[Major Ramifications]

I have used the Macininery Handbook at work for years, and some years ago a friend bought me the toolbox version. It was great, since my next job didn't provide one I used it there. Now I have it in my toolbox at home, but I keep a magnifier handy because it is getting harder for me to read it.

 

[Dodgepu360]

I have the 26th Edition Always within reach.


Can you print the pages from the CD Version? That would be Ideal for Scott's Idea of a reference Book.


Jason

yes
the CD version I used was a big PDF file of the whole book

 

[senlow]

Another book I find that I use rather extensivelly is the Pocket Ref. guide. They cram the proverbial 10lbs. into the 5lb. bag in that little book.

The Pocket Ref is another good one. It's also available in a full size version called the DeskRef. They also publish an AutoRef with car info.

 

[kvom]

20th edition here, purchased via Alibris.com.

 

[heavychevy454ss]

In addition to several revisions of Machinery Handbook, I also rely on another classic. Mark's Mechanical Enginerring Handbook. I've got at least three copies of it.
My wife thinks I'm nuts because I buy every copy of these old books I can find. Not to mention all the old tools, cars etc...

 

[speed bump]

In addition to several revisions of Machinery Handbook, I also rely on another classic. Mark's Mechanical Enginerring Handbook. I've got at least three copies of it.
My wife thinks I'm nuts because I buy every copy of these old books I can find. Not to mention all the old tools, cars etc...

One other important book (well probably less important to most of the people on this board) is the Chemical Rubber Company Handbook of Chemistry and Physics.

 

[Stuey]

One other important book (well probably less important to most of the people on this board) is the Chemical Rubber Company Handbook of Chemistry and Physics.

I've been meaning to get my hands on one of those. Any good ideas as to where to go for a good price? Slightly older editions are still valid.

Since we're dipping into more technical references, I absolutely love my ASM 'Engineered Materials' and "Metals Handbook" desk edition references.

 

[speed bump]

I've been meaning to get my hands on one of those. Any good ideas as to where to go for a good price? Slightly older editions are still valid.

Since we're dipping into more technical references, I absolutely love my ASM 'Engineered Materials' and "Metals Handbook" desk edition references.

I don't know where to get one for a good price I ended up with one from a friend who passed away. As far as validity of older editions for what I mostly use (integrals and derivatives tables) almost any version is fine for some of the chemical properties and more theoretical physics stuff you probably want a pretty new version.

 

[vishal.dixit]

Newest Edition of Machinery's Handbook(30th Edition) is availaible at https://ebooks.industrialpress.com/product/machinerys-handbook-30th-edition-guide

 

[bczygan]

Newest Edition of Machinery's Handbook(30th Edition) is availaible at https://ebooks.industrialpress.com/product/machinerys-handbook-30th-edition-guide

Welcome to GJ!

Bill

 

[bczygan]

Free PDF of 29th Edition here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G2Xltmjtc65KzbOn5EHF7NDGqOgR83PK/view

 

[Balor]

Thank you bczygan for the PDF.

rngr1

 

[MShaw]

17th edition here. Bought it new when I started my machinist apprenticeship in 1964. I still use it and would not be without it.

 

[fsae0607]

I just bought the 30th edition full-size and took my 27th toolbox size home.

I have the drill bit sizes, UN thread and shaft fits sections bookmarked as I'm always referencing those at work.