Let's talk about the pocket ref books

[stioc]

I have the Machinery Handbook for machining work. I'm also looking for other useful/general info and handy math. Sure one can Google but it's nice to have a book you can flip through sometimes.

The three books I'm considering are:

The ever popular desktop/pocket referece: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1885071604/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Handyman in your pocket: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1885071299/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Audel's Mechanical Trades Pocket Manual: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0764541706/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Just looking to buy one so if anyone has compared the three I'd be curious to know which one you prefer and why.

 

[737mechanic]

This is one of the best.

 

[noahwins]

Ordered this guide from our Winzer rep to learn more about the weak, Chinese hardware they sell that snaps, strips and crossthreads under the lightest torque.

Great reference source, answers every question I've ever had about hardware and comes with a nifty gauge tool. I want to get the others in the Black Book series.

https://www.grainger.com/product/GRAINGER-APPROVED-Fastener-Black-Book-38C736

 

[stioc]

That looks like a great book but content wise seems similar to the Machinery Handbook?

I'm looking for something that covers other day to day things, general shop math, other trades, sorta like the Audel one. That seems to be the winner for me so far but probably because the other two books I mentioned don't have the 'Look Inside' feature on Amazon so hard to say what's in them.

 

[larry_g]

Ugly's Electrical References if your doing electrical.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[bugnut]

The desk reference book is handy, I use mine from time to time, available for 1/2 the amazon price at dare I say HF and with a 20%, you could also buy a second choice.

 

[eschoendorff]

I have several of the pocket sized books but never use them. My phone has Google on it now!!! Lol

 

[stioc]

@bugnut, I looked at HF (I never would've thought they sold that book or any other book) but only saw the pocket ref for about the same price as amazon. Didn't see the bigger desk ref version.

I also found a PDF copy of the Audel book just by googling for it, I figured if I like it I'll buy it because I'm looking for a print reference book. It's not bad but nothing great/new in there. So I went ahead and ordered the pocket ref and handyman in your pocket on ebay for about $6 each. We'll see how those are but for the price I won't be complaining regardless.

 

[Ohmthis]

I’ll second the Ugly’s book. Lots of good electrical info in it.

 

[bonneyman]

I’ll second the Ugly’s book. Lots of good electrical info in it.

+3 on Ugly's.

Plus Fasco's pamphlet on everything motors is invaluable.

http://www.fasco.com/distribution/fasco-motor-facts/fasco-facs-english/

 

[PBCampbell]

Thanks for that link to Fasco's

 

[dutchgray]

This is one of the best.

Seconded, I found a copy in a skip, which is handy as they are not cheap.

 

[oldwino]

one I like is "Pocket Ref" by Thomas J. Glover. has a ton of info packed in 500+ pages in small format.

Agree on Ugly's for electrical though

 

[JiminAZ]

for this engineer Kurt Geick's Pocket Ref is very handy. Helped get me through the PE exam many years ago.....

 

[stioc]

Seconded, I found a copy in a skip, which is handy as they are not cheap.

I had to look up skip! A British/Austrailian term for a trash (or would that be a rubbish) container

 

[Vvmvbb]

for this engineer Kurt Geick's Pocket Ref is very handy. Helped get me through the PE exam many years ago.....

+1 Geick & Geick

 

[bonneyman]

Thanks for that link to Fasco's

U R Welcome. I have the hard copy pamphlet they used to stock at the parts store counter. the thing was so full of practical tips, like how to estimate HP but the depth of the stack and RPM by number of windings if the nameplate was unreadable (which it often is cooked off).
Now everything is on the web. But at least they still have the info - you could always download it on your phone I guess?

 

[wolf_from_wv]

But at least they still have the info - you could always download it on your phone I guess?

Or an SD card with tap charts and other handy info to browse on a tablet. (that's what I did...)

 

[Chaznsc]

one I like is "Pocket Ref" by Thomas J. Glover. has a ton of info packed in 500+ pages in small format.

Agree on Ugly's for electrical though

I also have the pocket pcref book, lots of great old PC stuff.

 

[finn]

The Bosch rep gave me the little blue Bosch book probably thirty years ago.

I used it for years

Now I know almost everything, and Mr Google and my phone know the rest...

At least the second part is true.

 

[bonneyman]

Or an SD card with tap charts and other handy info to browse on a tablet. (that's what I did...)

I'm not tech savvy, but there were guys at my last job who were downloading all sorts of apps and stuff on their I phones. Who needs a temp/pressure chart when it's available in a second wirelessly?

 

[JiminAZ]

+1 Geick & Geick

Ha Ha I'm rocking the 4th ed, 1983. Wonder if Reiner is his son.

 

[wolf_from_wv]

I'm not tech savvy, but there were guys at my last job who were downloading all sorts of apps and stuff on their I phones. Who needs a temp/pressure chart when it's available in a second wirelessly?

I'm not sure how much stuff I have... I like print books, because you don't have to have power, but ebooks for the volume you can carry.

My usual search is:

_____________ pdf

drill and tap chart pdf

GM 5l50E pdf

kalmann filter navigation algorithm pdf

etc.