Any Recommended Books/DVDs on Machining?

[Filson]

Hey guys,

I was wondering if any of you had some good books/dvd suggestions on machining, primarily knee mill and metal lathe work, or just general shop stuff. Experience is the best education, but until that happens, I just want to find something that'll help me get a feel for the equipment, tooling, methods, and so on.

I've seen mixed review ratings on Amazon on a few of the books out there, and frankly, I don't always trust Amazon reviews, so I wanted to get the scoop from the GJ folks. Thanks!

-Bill

 

[endmill]

Some good youtube search can't hurt.

 

[383 240z]

YouTube Keith Fenner and Mr. Pete222 Tubalcain.

open source machine tools

 

[kazlx]

Youtube is pretty much better than most books you can buy. Go on and watch different techniques. The act of machining is pretty simple, you can look up speeds and feeds. The creativity comes in part design, setup and order of operations. The other biggie is small details like chamfers, countersinking and all the stuff that makes a part look like a product, which personally, I try to shoot for on everything I make.

 

[Jim Johnstone]

The home shop machinist magazine has some nice articles for people learning the hobby. A lot of their articles and techniques are geared towards typical equipment a home shop guy may have.

 

[kazlx]

Also, Practical Machinist is good, just spend some time reading before you ask questions. And home shop machine talk isn't allowed....but the techniques can all be applied across the board.

 

[383 240z]

Also, Practical Machinist is good, just spend some time reading before you ask questions. And home shop machine talk isn't allowed....but the techniques can all be applied across the board.

And God forbid you own an imported machine. Or want to keep the same screen name you have on 10-15 other boards. Keith

 

[dr_clyde]

I recommend anything by Tom Lipton. Books or Youtube.

 

[Filson]

Thanks for the replies, guys!

Yeah, I've spent several hours youtubin' different clips, my favorite that I've come across so far is a short series of long videos (45+ minutes each) from an MIT guy. It was both fun and informative to watch. I'll have to check out Keith Fenner and Mr. Pete222 Tubalcain as well. Thanks for the ideas so far.

I'd still like some books on the subject though, I find that I learn best through reading, and am an avid reader anyway (I buy several hundred books a year as it is).

Jim, thanks for the suggestion on the magazine, I'll definitely check it out!

Edit: due to more posts:

I've been on Practical Machinist as a member for awhile, but never really "got into" the forum like GJ. Most of the talk is well above my head and the few times I've tried to ask/talk to people, I get rather cold/blunt replies. Yep... I'm a newbie, I have dumb questions, sorry lol.

Tom Lipton? Definitely check it out, thanks dr_clyde!

 

[383 240z]

For real books get "the shop wisdom of Rudy Kouhoupt" volumes 1-3 and anything by J Randolph Bulgin. They can be found at www.homeshopmachinist.com other than that, go make chips. Best way for me to learn after you have the basics. Keith

 

[Barty]

If you have money to burn the AGI courses are really good but very expensive unfortunately.

For a machining forum I very much like The Home Shop Machinist. Most of the folks there are patient and aren't so aggressive as The Practical Machinist lot. You can ask basic questions and get good answers. They don't care to much about where in the world you source your equipment from either.

 

[Nortonscustom]

You might want to check out http://www.youroldtimebookstore.com/default.asp they offer many of the books that Lindsay Publications once sold. Some great information on lathe/mill and general metal work.

 

[zach540]

The home shop machinist magazine has some nice articles for people learning the hobby. A lot of their articles and techniques are geared towards typical equipment a home shop guy may have.

Their other magazine, the Machinist's Workshop is also good, both currently have a $5 coupon code for subscription: H332S

 

[larry_g]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0831111267/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Above is volume 1 of a two volume set. Very good set to ave for the beginner. I would also suggest that if you have a used books store you look in the technical book section. Powells' Technical books in Portland is great.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Richard D]

Another vote for Tom Lipton, Oxtoolco on Youtube.

 

[rockwithjason]

Southbend put out a book years ago called how to run a lathe. Pretty good stuff and it comes cheap.

 

[Filson]

Man I love GJ, thanks guys for all the great info! Time for some studying.